Which Is Better for Kayaks, Jetskis and Small Boats?
Many trolling lures are supplied from the factory with treble hooks, and for good reason: trebles provide multiple hook points and can offer an excellent initial hook-up rate.
However, more anglers are replacing factory trebles with inline single hooks, particularly when fishing from kayaks, jetskis and small offshore or estuary boats.
So, is changing to inline singles actually worthwhile?
The answer depends on the lure, the species being targeted and, importantly, the platform you're fishing from.
What Is an Inline Single Hook?
An inline single is specifically designed as a replacement for a treble hook on a lure.
Unlike a conventional J-hook, the eye of an inline hook is orientated so the hook hangs correctly from a lure's split ring without requiring an additional ring or other modification.
This makes it possible to remove the original treble and replace it with a suitably sized inline single while retaining the basic balance and swimming action of the lure.
Why Treble Hooks Are So Effective
The biggest advantage of a treble is straightforward: three hook points instead of one.
When a fish strikes or swipes at a moving trolling lure, there are several opportunities for one or more points to find purchase.
This can be particularly useful when:
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Fish are striking aggressively but inaccurately.
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Smaller fish are attacking relatively large lures.
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Fish are slashing at a lure rather than fully engulfing it.
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You're trolling smaller hard-bodied minnows and diving lures.
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Maximum initial hook-up potential is important.
This is one reason manufacturers continue to supply many trolling lures with trebles.
The Downside
Once a fish is hooked, those additional points can become a disadvantage.
A fish may have one hook in its mouth while another point catches externally. Multiple points can also make unhooking considerably more complicated.
That becomes particularly relevant on a kayak or jetski.
Why Inline Singles Are Becoming Popular
Replacing trebles with inline singles simplifies the business end of the lure considerably.
Instead of three exposed points on each hook position, you're dealing with one larger hook point.
For trolling, there are several potential advantages.
1. Easier and Safer Fish Handling
For me, this is one of the strongest arguments for singles when fishing from a kayak or jetski.
Imagine landing an energetic fish alongside your kayak with a lure containing two trebles.
One treble may be attached to the fish while the second is swinging around close to:
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Your hands
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Your legs
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Your PFD
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Your clothing
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Your kayak
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Your landing net
A single hook considerably reduces the number of exposed hook points you're dealing with.
The same applies to jetskis and small boats, although the confined working area of a kayak makes the benefit particularly noticeable.
2. Faster Unhooking and Releasing
A properly hooked single can generally be much easier to remove than multiple treble points.
For fish you intend releasing, quicker hook removal means less handling time and potentially less damage around the mouth.
This can be particularly useful when trolling areas where you're likely to encounter undersized fish or species that will be released.
3. Strong Hook Penetration
A quality inline single has one strong point concentrating the force of the strike and drag pressure.
Once properly embedded, a large single hook can provide excellent holding power.
This is particularly attractive when trolling for stronger offshore species where you're putting considerably more pressure on the fish.
4. Less chance of hooks catching unwanted Objects
Trebles are very good at catching fish.
Unfortunately, they're also very good at catching almost everything else.
On a kayak they can grab:
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Paddle leashes
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Landing nets
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Clothing
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Deck rigging
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Rod leashes
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Bungee cord
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Other tackle
On a jetski or small boat they can similarly become tangled in nets, ropes, upholstery and equipment.
Singles don't eliminate this problem, but they reduce the number of exposed points considerably.
Do Trebles Have a Better Hook-Up Rate?
This is where the comparison becomes more interesting.
A treble theoretically offers more opportunities for an initial connection because three points are presented to the fish.
A single only has one.
For fish that slash or swipe at a lure, this can favour the treble.
However, initial hook-up rate and landing rate are not necessarily the same thing.
A good inline single that penetrates deeply can provide a very secure connection. There are also fewer hook points potentially working against one another as a fish twists, jumps or changes direction.
So the real question isn't simply:
"Which hook catches more fish?"
It should also be:
"Which hook keeps the fish securely connected once it is properly hooked?"
Both systems can perform extremely well when correctly matched to the lure and target species.
What About Lure Action?
This is an important consideration when converting a lure from trebles to singles.
You shouldn't simply remove a treble and install any single hook that looks approximately the right size.
The original hooks contribute to the lure's:
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Weight
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Balance
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Buoyancy
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Swimming action
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Diving characteristics
Install singles that are far too heavy and you may negatively affect the lure.
Install hooks that are too light and the lure may behave differently from the way the manufacturer intended.
The objective is therefore to select an inline single with appropriate strength, physical size and weight for the lure.
After changing hooks, it's always worth running the lure next to the kayak, jetski or boat and checking its swimming action before putting it into your trolling spread.
Hook Orientation Matters
Inline singles should also be fitted in the correct orientation.
Depending on the lure design and whether you're replacing the belly or tail treble, hook direction can influence how the lure swims and how effectively the hook presents during a strike.
There isn't necessarily one universal orientation that is ideal for every lure.
If a lure manufacturer provides a recommendation for converting a particular lure to singles, I would follow that first.
Treble vs Inline Single – Quick Comparison
| Consideration | Treble Hook | Inline Single |
|---|---|---|
| Initial hook-up opportunity | Excellent | Very good |
| Holding power once firmly hooked | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ease of unhooking | More difficult | Easier |
| Fish-friendly release | Moderate | Generally better |
| Angler safety | More exposed points | Fewer exposed points |
| Snagging equipment | Higher risk | Lower risk |
| Strength for size | Good | Often excellent |
| Maintaining factory lure setup | Best | Requires correct sizing |
| Kayak suitability | Good | Excellent |
| Jetski suitability | Good | Excellent |
| Small boat suitability | Excellent | Excellent |
Kayak Fishing – Where Singles Make a Lot of Sense
Of all the platforms discussed here, I think the kayak presents one of the strongest arguments for considering inline singles.
Space is limited and you're sitting extremely close to the fish.
Landing, controlling and unhooking a powerful fish while another treble is swinging around can quickly become uncomfortable — and potentially dangerous.
A quality inline single simplifies the whole process.
For offshore kayak trolling, that safety advantage alone is worth considering.
Jetski Fishing
Jetskis give you more mobility but you're still operating within a relatively confined fishing area.
Fish are often brought alongside the ski before being landed or released, and loose trebles can easily find wetsuits, clothing, nets or other equipment.
Inline singles therefore offer many of the same practical benefits they do on a kayak.
Small Offshore Boats
On a small offshore boat there is generally more working room, so the safety argument isn't quite as strong as it is on a kayak.
Trebles remain extremely effective for trolling and may be preferable on certain lures or when fish are striking short.
However, singles can still make handling larger fish considerably easier and are particularly attractive when catch-and-release fishing.
Estuary Boats
Estuary trolling often involves smaller diving minnows and other hard-bodied lures.
Here I'd be slightly more cautious about automatically changing every lure to singles.
Smaller fish can strike differently from larger offshore predators, and changing the hooks can have a more noticeable effect on the action and balance of small lures.
A correctly sized inline single can work extremely well, but it's worth experimenting rather than converting the entire tackle box at once.
Should You Replace Every Treble Hook?
Definitely not necessarily.
Treble hooks remain extremely effective, and there are situations where I would happily continue using them.
Instead, consider what you're trying to achieve.
If maximum initial hook-up opportunity is the priority, a quality treble remains difficult to beat.
If you're looking for:
Safer handling + easier releases + fewer tangles + a strong, simple connection, inline singles become extremely attractive.
For kayak and jetski anglers in particular, I think they deserve serious consideration.
A Sensible Way to Start
Rather than converting every trolling lure you own, choose a few of your most frequently used lures and fit them with quality inline singles.
Compare them directly with identical or similar lures still running trebles.
Pay attention to:
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How the lure swims
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Number of strikes
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Number of successful hook-ups
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How many fish stay connected
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Where the fish are hooked
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How easily the fish can be unhooked
That real-world comparison will tell you far more than simply assuming one hook style is universally superior.
Final Thoughts
There isn't a simple winner in the treble versus inline single debate.
Treble hooks offer excellent initial hooking potential and are the configuration around which many lures were originally designed.
Inline singles, however, provide some compelling advantages — particularly stronger individual hooks, easier fish handling, fewer exposed hook points and potentially easier catch-and-release fishing.
For those of us trolling from kayaks, jetskis and compact fishing boats and skiffs, there's another important consideration: SAFETY!
When you're dealing with a lively fish in a confined space, reducing six exposed hook points to two can make a significant difference.
My approach would therefore not be to ask whether trebles or singles are universally better.
Instead ask:
Which hook setup is better for this lure, this species and the way I'm fishing?
That's ultimately the comparison that matters.
For more information on the above as well as the best application for your kind of fishing, feel free to contact us at Wild Coast Kayaks HERE.
