Red Hooks?

[Tuckahoe Joe]

How do you guys feel about red hooks? The main reason I ask is cuz I recently found a couple of crankbaits and the hooks/split rings were rusted away. Im planning on replacing the them but I was wondering if the red hooks increase strikes or is it all just for show? Also what size hooks/split rings do you think I should use?

[Darren.]

Personally, I think the color is designed to catch us, but don't let that rule out attaching them to your cranks. They're still hooks, after all.

I've got some on my cranks, which I hardly ever use, so not really the best to give advice there. When it comes to worm fishing, I have tried the reds. Don't buy them at all any more.... But that's me.

Not saying don't use them, just that I am not sure they make a difference. If you've got 'em, use 'em.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

The opinions will vary. Some swear by em and some say makes no differance. I am personally part of the latter crowd but I will say that it seems that they do not rust as quickly as other finished hooks.

[HookSetDon]

I agree with Darren.

I don't buy red hooks anymore, and to be honest if I have some reds in my tackle tray theyre only being used if I run out of the others.

[38 Super Fan]

It does seem like red hooks are a little more rust resistant.

[TrippyJai]

I don't like red hooks because they flake and turn into gold hooks. I have some on my baits, but I can't tell if they make a difference or not, but personally, I rather not use them.

I believe the colour red is suppose to disappear under water and that was maybe why red hooks where put on lures, but then there are fisherman who put one red hook on the front to represent a bleeding bait fish. Give them a try if you want. If it gives you more confidence then continue to use them.

[BenBassmaster]

KVD said himself that he thinks it increases strikes and I also agree with DarrenM. I have a few Cranks that came with the red hooks. I think they look good and have a better presentation than regular hooks.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

KVD said himself that he thinks it increases strikes and I also agree with DarrenM. I have a few Cranks that came with the red hooks. I think they look good and have a better presentation than regular hooks.

I believe he said that in his earlier years. I have not seen him use a red hooked bait lately. He now talks a out switching stock hooks out for the kvd triple grips and I do not recall a red version of that hook.

But personal preference should trump all pro recommendations.

[WRB]

VMC makes a good quality replacement treble hook for Rapalas, go to their site. Black nickel or red nickel have the same corrosion protection, so It is your choice! I given the red treble hooks a try and still use them on the lures that have been changed, results...no difference IMO. White rear treble hooks do make a possiitive difference, but require you to paint them.

Tom

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Thanks for the oppinions guys. Sounds like most of you don't see a difference. Maybe Ill try one red and one black and see which one gets more fish on it.

[alexczarn]

I've used both red and black trebles, and no noticeable difference in fish-catching results...

[Bluebasser86]

Red hooks give me more confidence in my baits and that will put more fish in the boat guaranteed! I use VMC short shanks, they're the same price for red as they are black nickel and the short shank lets me upgrade the size of my hooks.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't really care what color the hooks are, I'm not fussy at all on brand providing I buy a 4x treble. I have quite a few lures and spoons that have broken trebles, not to mention pretty some of my saltwater hooks getting pretty rusted up. Do I change them, while not as often as one may think. I actually prefer on 2 hooks on my trebs (some guys here purposely cut one off), much easier to unhook a fish. Everyone has heard of using a siwash (single hook) on a spoon, try it on lure and you may be surprised.

[shootermcbob]

I am in the crowd that believes red hooks make no difference...at least for me.

[Crestliner2008]

Hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving Day! Now think about this: more lures have been made with some red in the color pattern, than anything else! (I just read that somewhere recently.) Most of my hard baits have a red front treble. And I still use red Gammy DS hooks. Not sure it makes any difference at all, but I do not believe it is a detriment. JMO.

[TNBassin']

Red, black...whatever. I don't believe there is an advantage to either. Whatever is on sale for me.

[LgMouthGambler]

Just as people say that if you take a crankbait and add a little red paint to it, it helps to give it a little bit more of attraction to fish. Do I believe it does?, somewhat. I think any red color will become unvisible around the 4-5 ft depth mark, so take it with a grain of salt. However, I will say this: somedays I will fish a lizard that is Watermelon Chart. and wont get any bites. I will switch to a Watermelon Red Chart., in the same spot, and will start knocking them dead. Since the hooks dangle below the crankbait, I dont know how that affects it, but I dont think it will hurt.

[OkobojiEagle]

White rear treble hooks do make a positive difference.

Tom

Tom,

Please continue your thought... In what situations, on what baits, have you compared results with a feather dressed rear hook?

oe

[Sam]

Consider upsizing one size when replacing manufacturer's hooks.

Red is a personal preference.

However, if you have confidence with red please use them.

[Ratherbfishing]

Most of the time, I don't think it matters-particularly in murky water. But in Canada this summer the smallmouth had a strong preference for baits with red trebles. I was always a scoffer before this but now I believe that in clear water, at least, it can (sometimes) make a difference.

[SirSnookalot]

Consider upsizing one size when replacing manufacturer's hooks.

For the most part, YES I do. I recently replaced rings and hooks on a fairly light jerkbait, the added weight of the slightly heavier hooks and split rig was not accommodated too well on this lure, I resorted back to a smaller size and all is well. This is not the normal reaction, I do prefer the next size up, I use 4x trebs too.

[nubasser]

I use both red and black nickel hooks and don't think it much matters, but I have a friend who Always uses a red hook for the belly of hard jerkbaits and swears by them. I think a suspended jerkbait thats setting there in clear water may make a difference on hook selection, but not sure if that is reliable or not.

[Bankbeater]

I have a couple of cranks that came with red hooks. I have never noticed any difference in the bites.

[jkarol24]

I don't use red hooks on cranks, but I do on topwaters. I will put one red hook on the front hook hanger and use regular black on the back. The logic here is that if the red does attract strikes, the fish will hit the middle of the bait. If it misses the middle hook, then it has a good chance of still snagging on the back one. However, I''m not really sure if it actually makes a difference, but i'm confident with it.

On a side note, your "mystery lure" appears to be a shad rap shallow

http://www.cabelas.com/crankbaits-rapala-shallow-shad-rap-lure-2.shtml?WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=13331010&rid=40&mr:trackingCode=93ADB7CC-958E-DF11-A0C8-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=21232639271&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=43600702871

[tholmes]

I've used both red and black trebles, and no noticeable difference in fish-catching results...

X2^ I'll buy red hooks if Wally World is out on the bronze or black nickel in the size I need. Never noticed any difference in results.

Tom