Replacing Hooks

[Weld's Largemouth]

Hey all,

 

I've never replaced hooks before. I have a few poppers i would like replace hooks on.

-How do i remove hooks properly?

-How do i add hooks properly?

-What treble hook sizes are generally used on poppers, crankbaits?

 

Thanks

[gulfcaptain]

Get yourself a set of pliers that has a split ring spreader on them or split ring pliers.  Hook size is probably going to be a size 4 or 6 depending on the bait.

[Weld's Largemouth]

Get yourself a set of pliers that has a split ring spreader on them or split ring pliers.  Hook size is probably going to be a size 4 or 6 depending on the bait.

You can't just use your fingers to slide it off the split ring? I ain't got money lying around

[FunkJishing]

You can't just use your fingers to slide it off the split ring? I ain't got money lying around

yea man you can what i do is push the eye to the replacement hook inbetween the split ring to get it open and then just push it around to the opening and threat the split ring through the eye and slide it around until it's on all the way.

[gulfcaptain]

you can if you like.  You asked how, I explained how I do it. Think the pliers I have came from Wally World for about $6 and are simple fishing pliers with a little wedge on the tip.  But you can spread the split rings with your fingers and edge the small treble off of there.  If you can't pry it open with your fingernails, then a hook will work. Don't worry, you will poke yourself a few times till you get the hang of it.

[FunkJishing]

Hey all,

 

I've never replaced hooks before. I have a few poppers i would like replace hooks on.

-How do i remove hooks properly?

-How do i add hooks properly?

-What treble hook sizes are generally used on poppers, crankbaits?

 

Thanks

crankbaits are ushually a size 6, but if you like bigger/smaller hooks you can put them on as long as they dont tangle with eachother or kill the baits action.

[Catch and Grease]

You can do it with your hands but like gulfcaptain said split ring pliers don't break the bank and I'd pick a pair up. 2, 4, and 6 are common hook sizes, get on Google and loom your lure up and find a site that list the hook sizes.

[Master Bait'r]

You can't just use your fingers to slide it off the split ring? I ain't got money lying around

Try it without the split ring pliers and you'll see exactly why it's totally worth the $10 or so.

[Senko lover]

It's a huge pain to do it by hand. I just leave the factory hooks on and touch 'em up with a hone.

[FunkJishing]

you will get pricked every here and there but when you get good at it you'll probably be able to do it faster than you could with plyers. I know I can. I'd only recommend plyers for the little baits with tiny split rings that are a pain to try and get open.

[deep]

Texas tackle split ring pliers is what you want. Any old split ring pliers will do though. Do NOT use your nails. For the small splitrings that bass sized cranks usually have, you could get away with a pair of regular needlenose pliers or nail clippers to open up the ring a little to slip out the old hook and slip in a new one..

[deep]

you can if you like.  You asked how, I explained how I do it. Think the pliers I have came from Wally World for about $6 and are simple fishing pliers with a little wedge on the tip.  But you can spread the split rings with your fingers and edge the small treble off of there.  If you can't pry it open with your fingernails, then a hook will work. Don't worry, you will poke yourself a few times till you get the hang of it.

 

Funny, and true!

[OkobojiEagle]

I ain't got money lying around

 

Then buy a hook hone instead.

 

oe

[EvanT123]

Honestly I don't really see the point in changing hooks. Maybe I'm not catching big enough fish which certainly is a possibility but I've never really had a problem with stock hooks. The only time I would change then is if a hook was bent all out of wack and that only happens when I go alittle crazy with the pliers. I mean if money is on the line I guess that's another story but if money was tight I would not worry about it. I've caught plenty of fiesty smallmouth on $1 Zara puppies with stock hooks.

[Jrob78]

Texas tackle split ring pliers is what you want. Any old split ring pliers will do though. Do NOT use your nails. For the small splitrings that bass sized cranks usually have, you could get away with a pair of regular needlenose pliers or nail clippers to open up the ring a little to slip out the old hook and slip in a new one..

This

[F14A-B]

If you can afford hooks, you can afford split ring pliers, your young.. They will last a lifetime and make hook change outs easy.

[SirSnookalot]

Your thumbnail or pen knife work fine, but a split ring pliers is a better way to go especially if you get into some heavier split rings.

There are very few lures where I change the hooks beforehand, stock ones work well for me.  When I do replace it's either 3x or 4x hooks, no problem with Eagle Claw.  My saltwater replacement are VMC 4x, they still rust but not as fast.

[hatrix]

Shimano makes a pair I really like. They are basically needle nose but the tip is not like normal split ring pliers with the wedge on the end. These ones like actually hold the split ring and not just split it. I think they were like $10 or something. I also use them as my normal pliers for removing hook and they have a bend in them I like for opening the ring or removing hooks.

Walmart sells some KVD pliers for like $8? I think. They are really good cutters also.

[boostr]

I have a pair of those, and they work well.

[boostr]

The KVD ones.

[primetime]

You can find pliers for $6 and it is worth every penny, if you don't get that ring put back properly you will lose a big fish one day as I like to crimp my rings once I open them, I change trebles and dress them at times, and I mainly use the 3x short Triple grips, Tx3 Inline Rotating, Owner Stinger, and like said already, size #6 is what you will find on many lures but you can modify to 1 #4 and one #6. For topwaters you can go larger but always be careful and make sure to read about why trebles are the way they are, since a 3x strong is a good treble for a Topwater fished on 50lb braid, but not a good choice for light line since it will not penetrate....

 

I find Spro lures do an awesome job with hook sizing, and so do most Japanese Companies, so take a look at a spro, or LC, or Similar lure in a top of the line to get a feel for the hook sizes, Gamakatsu makes awesome hooks in size #5 and #3 and play around with red and other colors, and often I like a wide gap on the rear to catch swipers.

[ChrisWi]

I used to use my fingers until I had a ring break under my finger nail. That wasn't fun getting it out.