Not a de-boner in the true sense of the word. This tool does two things: It is used to remove a small section of the Ballyhoo's backbone while at the same time creating a small hole in the top of the bait. This hole is needed for the cable to go thru when rigging a double hook cable rig with the rear hook coming out of the top of the bait. It will also be required when rigging a weedless single hook bait.