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Whether you are using natural or sea fish dead baits, they can both be used eithrt whole or as sectioned baits, typically as shown here in two sections.
The important point with both is hook size and position. Imagine the bait is a whole roach of say 4 to 5 inches long, it would be inappropriate to use 2 hooks larger than size 10 spaced 1.5 to 2 inches apart, with these set to go no further than halfway along the bait with the upper hook in the tail root.
A better option with such a small bait might be one treble, perhaps a size 6 or 4 set into the root of the tail.
With sectioned larger baits (as shown) the same principles apply so that over sized hooks are not used with excessive spacing between the hooks and that they do not extend beyond the halfway point of the section.
In both cases this will give some degree of protection against hooks getting into the throat of the pike, should it take and swallow the bait quickly, giving minimum indication before a run develops.
NB: Please do not consider this as a safe way of delaying the strike, it will always be safer for the pike if you strike as soon as you experience the signs of a bite being under way!
