EWG Treble's

[backcast88]

I fish jigs and soft plastics mostly but want to start throwing more cranks this summer so sorry if this question is stupid.  The lakes I fish have a lot of grass and wood so I don't want to be fighting getting hung a lot.

I have several squarebills that need new hooks.  I'm wanting to try EWG Short Shank Gamakatsu's.  My question is, do I have to up size the hooks (#4 stock, so go up to #2) or can I stick with the same size? Or would I be better off going with EWG trebles that aren't a short shank? 

[primetime]

Great question. Hopefully someone who is better with crankbaits than I am will give a few suggestions since I am always afraid to change hook size and type on crankbaits like Squarebills etc. I am sure plenty of people on this site will know how to swap out hooks on a SK Squarebill.

I would consider myself an "Average" crankbait fisherman at best, and I like to change hooks to keep them sharp and sometimes add a red hook, and I usually just replace them with the same hooks if possible, or sharpen them quick.

From what I have read, and been told, Inline Trebles are a "Safe Choice" if in the same size, but I have wanted to put EWG or Shorter Triple Grips on cranks but I am afraid it will mess up the action on the one's I have marked as good lures. I know for lipless Cranks you can go up a size and it rarely hurts the action, but with Floating Rip Baits and wake baits I am always modifying hooks and lures to get them to run high, and I have noticed some baits can take a bigger hook with shorter shank, some will act differently, but I am usually most concerned with matching the treble to the rod and line I am using it on...If I am using braid on a heavy rod I sometimes will use a shorter split ring that is stronger and then go up to a 2x strong etc....

Changing trebles seems simple, but I have changed them out a few times and then had issues, I know guys who are good at cranking will modify hooks to make the bait hunt better etc. but I find with Strike King Squarebills they use Good quality hooks I want to say Trokar, and a quick file touch up can keep them going a long time....

Hope that helps, Sometimes you need to just head down to the pool and do the adjustments in crystal clear water and make casts to feel the action. I like the pool since you can see the bait deeper down and see if it is running off to one side etc...

[blckshirt98]

I've only swapped stock hooks on Strike King squarebills and for those I use the Mustad Triple Grip 2xShort 1xStrong hooks.  The shorter hook lets you upsize the hooks by one size without messing up the bait action or tangling up the hooks.  I only do this because, well, it's what KVD does with his Strike King squarebills.  So for the 1.0 I'll go up to a size 4, for the 1.5 I'll go up to a size 2.  For 2.5 I've kept the stock hooks since they seem sturdy enough, but if they ever break or rust I'll upsize to a size 1.

For other brands definitely see how the crankbait swims in the water after swapping out hooks before committing to swapping the hooks out on other similar crankbaits.

[fishballer06]

While sizing up is a good idea in theory, you'll need to test the hooks on your lures to make sure the hooks don't foul up on each other or on the lip of the bill. If your baits use a standard shank #4, a short shank #2 or #3 might be possible. 

[backcast88]

Thanks for the info. 

 

I'll grab a pack of 4's and 2's and see how they turn out. 

[WRB]

The rear treble hook may cause issues with up sizing, the front you go up 1 size without an issue on most diving crank baits except jerk baits. I use Owner ST36 series trebles for crankbaits.

Tom

 

[Bluebasser86]

I like the short shank EWG trebles because I can go one size larger typically without effecting the bait. There should be no reason you can't stick with the original size though. 

["hamma"]

It really comes down to personal preference.,... BUT

Upsizing with a shorter shank hook typically isnt going to hinder the action, maybe on "some" lures, when changing the rear hook that "might" change action  slightly.,..A heavier gauge wire is offset by the shorter shank as far as weight goes. And if a lure comes with real fine wire hooks I will try to stay close to that gauge. Although I dont care for lighter wire trebles, they are quite sticky, and good for lighter strikes. I did like and miss the old excalibur rotating trebles, they were exceptional as far as light wire hooks go, sticky as could be

When I buy new lures I make the decision to swap out hooks once i open the package and get to really check it out. Depending on what lure it is, and what size line im going to use for it,..I may change them all, one, or none at all.

I like the mustad triple grip short shanks, they are a sturdy, quality replacement. And typically doesnt mess with baits action while gaining in size. Its a win win