Do You Change Your Crankbait Hooks?

[scrutch]

After reading a few threads about crankbaits I can't stands no more. With the exception of getting a little different action from the crankbait, what other reasons would you change your hooks for? I'm talking out of the box, not the old dull rusty hooks on that old rapala your grandad has used for forty years. Those stinking trebles grab everything in the boat they're not supposed to hook into. They will certainly do the same to a fish if he BITES the darn thing! What's the point?

[FourCorners]

I'll change the hooks right out of the box if they feel dull. Normally, the more expensive baits tend to have better quality hooks but I've been disappointed with the last two lucky crafts I bought.

Also, I think most guys will put on the largest treble they can get away with as bigger trebles = better hook ups. Just make sure they're not too big or they'll tangle up or catch the lip of the crank.

[BFG79]

Alot of people will also put a red treble hook on the front because they think it helps the bass eat the whole bait better. I do it on my shallow cranks.

[tomustang]

I don't change them unless they are broke or rusting

[Adrik314]

why not just sharpen them on a whetstone?

[Nitrofreak]

Alot of people will also put a red treble hook on the front because they think it helps the bass eat the whole bait better. I do it on my shallow cranks.

I do it because it gives the appearence of a bleeding fish, it's a tactic that will get results when they wont hit the same bait under the same conditions.

For those of you who doubt this, go to your favorite waters on a slightly windy and overcast day, an even better time would be to test it during a cold front when the fishing is a little tougher, throw your favorite crank without one first, record your results and change your front hook to red and see what happens.

When the bait hits the water, let it drop a second or two, depending on the depth of water you are fishing, give one quick little jerk, pause for a second and then bring it back to you as irrattic as you can using short little bursts.

[Intruder 150]

I replace all mine with Mustad Triple Grips.

[Nice_Bass]

I find out of the box trebles to be just fine as well for cranks- never could understand the need either. Normans and fat free's always seem to have sticky trebles. SK's, rapalas same deal out of the box.

[BFG79]

I do it because it gives the appearence of a bleeding fish, it's a tactic that will get results when they wont hit the same bait under the same conditions.

For those of you who doubt this, go to your favorite waters on a slightly windy and overcast day, an even better time would be to test it during a cold front when the fishing is a little tougher, throw your favorite crank without one first, record your results and change your front hook to red and see what happens.

When the bait hits the water, let it drop a second or two, depending on the depth of water you are fishing, give one quick little jerk, pause for a second and then bring it back to you as irrattic as you can using short little bursts.

I don't doubt this at all, I am a big believer, but i know some people are skeptical

[tomustang]

You know if you ask everyone that uses red hooks half will say bleeding effect and the other half will say their invisible...

[NoBassPro]

You know if you ask everyone that uses red hooks half will say bleeding effect and the other half will say their invisible...

You should ask my wife about red hooks. Somehow on our honeymoon it seemed like every late night fishing show we watched had something about red hooks on it. She still brings that up.

[Bluebasser86]

I like red hooks because they make me more confident in my bait and confidence is one of the best things to have in a fishing lure.

I change my hooks because I know the hooks I'm putting on the bait are good hooks. When that big one eats my bait I don't want to be left wondering why I didn't just put hooks I know are good on my bait.

[Bankbeater]

I only sharpen the hooks now. I use to replace them, but sometimes I didn't like the way the bait ran with the new hooks.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't change them unless they are broke or rusting

Same here and when I do it's 3x or 4x saltwater hooks for freshwater fish. I've been know to replace with single hooks instead of a trebles.