A note about links: If we include links to retail sites like Amazon or Bass Pro Shops, it's because they're relevant to the topic and, as anglers ourselves, we believe they're worth checking out. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What it is
A siwash hook is a long-shank single hook built to do one job well: replace the treble hooks that come stock on so many lures. The point is straight and strong, the shank runs long, and the eye is usually open — a small gap in the metal instead of a closed ring. That open eye is the whole trick. You slip it onto the lure’s split ring (or straight onto the hook hanger), then pinch it shut with pliers so it can’t slide back off. Closed-eye versions exist too if you’d rather not bend metal.
Swap the multi-pronged treble hooks on a spoon for a single siwash and the lure rides point-up, hooking cleanly in the jaw. You go from six points to one — easier on the fish, easier on your hands, and easier on the net. See the hooks overview for how siwash fits the wider hook family.
When to reach for it
Reach for a siwash whenever you want to fish a lure single-hook. Three common reasons drive the swap. First, cleaner catch-and-release: one point in the jaw does far less damage than a treble buried in two spots. Second, fewer tangles and less self-inflicted chaos — single hooks don’t grab nets, fingers, and other trebles the way a flailing treble does. Third, regulations: lots of salmon, steelhead, and trout fisheries require single barbless or single-point hooks, and a siwash is the standard answer.
You’ll see them most on spoons and inline spinners worked with casting and retrieving, on spoons and spinners pulled while trolling, as spinnerbait trailer hooks, and on big musky and salmon lures where one solid point beats three weak ones.
How to choose
Match the siwash to the treble you’re replacing. The simplest rule: pick a siwash whose gap and weight are close to the stock treble so the lure still swims right. A hook that’s too big drags the nose down and kills the action; too small and you miss fish.
Watch the gap-to-body clearance. The point should clear the lure body on the hookset — hold the hook against the lure and make sure nothing blocks it. On a 3/4 oz spoon, a 2/0 to 4/0 siwash is a typical range; small inline spinners often take a size 2 to 1/0. Step up the wire gauge for big, hard-pulling fish — a heavier 5/0 or 6/0 for kings, musky, and saltwater, where a light wire hook can flex open. For the open eye, only close it with split-ring or needle-nose pliers; pinch firmly so there’s no gap a line or split ring can escape through.
Brands worth knowing
Owner Siwash — chemically sharpened, strong, and the default for serious salmon and steelhead anglers. Premium tier, worth it on lures you trust.
Gamakatsu Siwash Open Eye — famously sticky-sharp points and a clean open eye that’s easy to close. Premium tier; a top pick for spoons and trolling setups.
Mustad Siwash — dependable, widely stocked, and easy on the wallet. Mid tier and a smart choice when you’re re-hooking a whole tackle box at once.
VMC Siwash — sharp, corrosion-resistant finishes that hold up in salt. Mid to premium tier, strong for musky and inshore work where rust is the enemy.