Treble Hook Replacement

[Bass2124]

I have about a dozen crankbaits that probably need hook replacements for the upcoming season.  Most are 1.5 and 2.5 KVD squarebills.  What size treble hooks should I buy?  Also, do red hooks make a difference?

[fishballer06]

You may start a war over the red hook debate...

 

I use 2 and 4. Obviously the 2.5 gets the larger hooks. If you have some 3's, you can try those out too.

[fisherrw]

2 and 4s I use vmc trebles can't beat the price and quality!

[gulfcaptain]

If you use the short shank you can bump up a size, but 4's and 2's are what comes with them.  

[ww2farmer]

On my KVD's the 1.5's get #4's, the 2.5's get #2. I use the Mustad KVD elite 1x strong, 2x short, triple grips. Black nickle only. I never use red.

[War Eagle 44]

I also use the Mustad KVD trebles on these baits but I always up size my hooks to #2's on the 1.5 and #1's on the 2.5.

[Senko lover]

Red hooks are a preference or confidence thing, if you like them, use them. I have regular and red hooks, and haven't noticed a difference with the colors. Interestingly, it is said that fish can't see the color red at depth, so really they're only needed on topwaters and shallow lures. 

[Raul]

SHARP hooks make a difference, red hooks don't.

[papajoe222]

Brand and style are a a personal preference. I prefer a light wire standard length for cranks (red on the belly), but you may like triple strong short shaft. My only recommendation is to stick with proven brands and shy away from the store brand stuff.

[Montanaro]

Also consider length. Standard hooks snag swipping bass better. Short shank snag trees less.

[ww2farmer]

Also consider length. Standard hooks snag swipping bass better. Short shank snag trees less.

 Exactly why I like the hooks I like...........the come threw the grass, dock posts, and lay downs like a champ.

[Jolly Green]

Another vote for the Mustad short shank hooks mentioned above.

 

My own theory on red hooks is that they haven't hurt me any.  Some folks use red trebles for belly hooks because it may mimic the red flash of gills or otherwise present an inviting target; I use red hooks because my local Walmart cleared out all of their Gamakatsu 5-packs for fifty cents each last year and I basically took that entire bin straight to the checkout.  I've caught just a stupid amount of fish with a white fluke on a red hook.  

[Big Bait Fishing]

Owner ST-41's , sticky sharp !!!

[FloridaFishinFool]

I'd like to add just two things...

 

1) make sure that whatever hook you do choose, to make sure the shank length is the same as or shorter than stock, but not longer than stock. I made the mistake once of using a longer shank and the hooks could then foul up with each other.

 

You can use a longer shank hook only if the hooks can not physically tangle up with each other. Trial and error may be the only way to determine this since each lure has a different shape and size.

 

2)orientate the hooks so that the single hook faces forward and the "Y" is to the rear on the front hook if only two treble hooks on the lure, and the front two if three treble hooks on the lure. The back treble hook can be put on either way, but I usually stick with matching the others for orientation of the hooks.

 

The reason for this orientation on the front hooks is simple physics. If you pull a lure through the water, the resistance of the water pushes the hook back, and if one hook is pointing straight back, when it comes into contact with the body of the lure it will then skew off to one side or the other. But if you put the "Y" to the rear, as it is pulled through the water and the hook is pushed back up against the body of the lure, now the hook can "saddle" the lure and remain more balanced when retrieving. The rear hook does not get pushed up against the body of the lure and is not as important to orientate a particular way.

[Comfortably Numb]

Guy on Facebook sells genuine Mustad KVD triple grip shorts for under $25 for 100 shipped. Alot of the bait painters buy from him.

[Fishes in trees]

By the time I get to the fishing tack store, I forget what size I'm after and the different companies sizes are different and I get confused.  My strategy is either to write stuff down about what brand/size I need or just bring the old hook with me and try to match it up that way.  A couple of weeks (or was it days) ago, I don't remember, a guy at work told me about weighting treble hooks with drops of solder to  affect crank bait suspension and action.   He claimed that the weighted hooks worked better than suspend dots on wiggle warts.   Something to think about and maybe try.

[FunkJishing]

I'd use a #4 short shank treble. The color is up to you, if you think it'll help do it.

[DTack]

On my KVD's the 1.5's get #4's, the 2.5's get #2. I use the Mustad KVD elite 1x strong, 2x short, triple grips. Black nickle only. I never use red.

Baits of similar size and the few I have of the 1.5 and 2.5 I use the same hook but for the 1.5 size 1 and the 2.5 I use size 1/0. 

[cyclops2]

I use the Whimpy wire hooks. Have some chance of straightening them out to save a lure.  Too big of a pike with a heavy line & drag WILL straighten them enough to loose him in heavy weeds.

 

All part of the sport.  I fish with some lures that have no hooks..  The real test is finding & getting a clamp down  strike. 

 

The rest is so easy a caveman can do it.

[Jon G]

I use mustad elite 1x strong 2x short and Owner ST36's. I tend to use the Mustads more because they are a little cheaper when buying in bulk. Like other 1.5s get size 2 hooks and 2.5s get size 1. Matt Allen posted an instresting video where he discussed red hooks. He said that when he put red hooks infront of the bait the fish tended to choke the bait head first more. I dont know if this is a legitimate thing or not but I found it interesting.

 

On a side note does anybody who uses the mustads change their split rings to a smaller size to use larger hooks. I've heard mixed reviews of people doing this and wondered if anybody here does it.

[KDW96]

Guy on Facebook sells genuine Mustad KVD triple grip shorts for under $25 for 100 shipped. Alot of the bait painters buy from him.

Gonna have too look in to this? Might be knock offs? If they are the real deal gonna get some

[cyclops2]

Jon

 

I am constantly changing rings to the smallest I can use.  No scientific reason. better the shape. more strikes ?