Wondering if anyone still uses the old standard red U-20 for sockeye anymore? I haven't been out for them for the last few season openings but fished for them from late 70's to early 90's, never seemed to have too much trouble finding them w/the flatfish. Understand the barehook method tends to be quicker/more productive (certainly less hardware, net tangles, & bloody fingers.)

Just curious.

You bet they still work! Some believe larger, more aggressive fish tend to hit the Flatfish over a red hook. With two rods out, I'll run one of each. More often than not, it's the U-20 that scores the first hit. It's a pisser when you break one off, though.

I don't know why, but I seem to have better success with the U20 than bare hooks. But then, I didn't fill my boat up with fish either. One problem that I had was the leader getting tangled. I think I'm going to a ball bearing swivel.

There may be some truth to the aggressive/larger fish theory. I haven't tried the u-20, but did try a pink kokanee killer (retied with 15 lb test) and had a fish break me off. I wasn't able to horse him in so he may have wrapped himself around someone elses downrigger wire.

Hey Little Fish, did you run that Kok Killer behind a dodger? If so, how much leader and what size hook did you use? I have a pink and an orange one I wanted to try tomorrow. I guess 20# leader is in order. Thanks.

Yes. The kokanee killer rig (x/dodger) was 36". I used 2 size 4 red hooks. I figured if it works on kokanees is should work on socks.

Thanks. I'll give them a try tomorrow and report the results.