Hardbait mods based on treble and split ring changes

[snake95]

I have read several articles lately discussing changes to trebles, and potentially adding split rings to adjust the performance and behavior of hardbaits.

I'm only just getting in to changing out stock trebles for "upgraded" hooks.  

I'm not looking for input on sharpening hooks, selecting trebles, or even really upsizing trebles (all topics that are covered well in previous threads).

What I am looking for input on is specific to modifying the following hardbaits:

- topwaters including walking lures and poppers

- crankbaits

- jerkbaits

1. When do you upsize one or more trebles to modify lure balance and behavior?

e.g. I read an article quoting KVD saying he likes to upsize rear treble on some walking baits to help the lure sit tail-down, and another where Ike was suggesting to only upsize the middle hook on a crank a full size to avoid a drastic change to the lure's motion.

2.  When do you modify split rings between the bait and treble? 

e.g. adding an extra ring on a mid-bait hook, swapping out smaller rings for larger ones.

Thanks for any suggestions and experience with this topic.

 

[snake95]

I have read several articles lately discussing changes to trebles, and potentially adding split rings to adjust the performance and behavior of hardbaits.

I'm only just getting in to changing out stock trebles for "upgraded" hooks.  

I'm not looking for input on sharpening hooks, selecting trebles, or even really upsizing trebles (all topics that are covered well in previous threads).

What I am looking for input on is specific to modifying the following hardbaits:

- topwaters including walking lures and poppers

- crankbaits

- jerkbaits

For any of these lures:

1. When do you change one or more trebles to modify lure balance and behavior?  (Either by changing the size, or perhaps changing the style).

For example:

Upsizing rear treble on some walking baits to help the lure sit tail-down.  

Changing the front treble on a crank to a short-shank to help reduce snags.

And, related tips: e.g. Ike says in one article to upsize the middle treble on a crank by two sizes, but to upsize the rear by only one size to maintain the original action.

 

2.  When do you modify split rings between the bait and treble? 

e.g. adding an extra ring on a mid-bait hook, swapping out smaller rings for larger ones, for whatever reason.

 

Thanks for any suggestions and experience with this topic.

 

Edited July 24, 2016 by snake95
I edited the post a bit to clarify my question.

[A-Jay]

1. When do you upsize one or more trebles to modify lure balance and behavior?

Never - have not run into a situation where I felt I needed to. Stock hook replacement for me is all about hooking & holding potential.

2.  When do you modify split rings between the bait and treble? 

 Routinely ~ Owner Hyper Wire Rings get the nod here for me.  Often use changing ring size to manipulate treble hook's position or distance from the baits body.

A-Jay

[snake95]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

Often use changing ring size to manipulate treble hook's position or distance from the baits body.

Thanks A-Jay: this is getting at what I am hoping to learn more about - when and why would you want to manipulate the hook's position from the body?  The obvious things for me would be to avoid tangling or to change the center of gravity on a jerkbait ever so slightly.  Are there other reasons?

 

[A-Jay]

2 minutes ago, snake95 said:

Thanks A-Jay: this is getting at what I am hoping to learn more about - when and why would you want to manipulate the hook's position from the body?  The obvious things for me would be to avoid tangling or to change the center of gravity on a jerkbait ever so slightly.  Are there other reasons?

 

There's probably a few. 

For me a common one is when setting up the hooks & rings on a crank bait that I plan on using in & around hard cover.  That includes Squarebills, Mid-depth & even some deeper cranks.  I use Short shank trebles exclusively and by manipulating the hook & ring size I can choose to keep the hook points close to the bait.  There's a fine line between reducing hang ups and interfering with hook ups.

A-Jay

[papajoe222]

There are only two baits that I use different hooks or split rings on as a modification. Both poppers and walking topwater baits.  Adding a 3X strong to the rear when I want the nose up, or on a popper changing out the front hook to one to get it to spit more.  The other is on suspending jerk baits.  I'll add an additional split ring or two to get the bait to suspend the way I want it to, or to get the nose down when suspending. 

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

1.

you can get away with bigger hooks in stained water.

change out hooks if you can bend them with lite pliers or they aren't sharp.

if the hooks touch they are too big.

use high quality stuff.

on topwater, use better hooks in the back, if you can afford it change both.

 

2.

only one split ring

 

[Bluebasser86]

I don't like changing to larger hooks on topwater or jerkbaits. Topwaters often have the hook size required to make them work as advertised, changes to that can affect or even kill the action.

Jerkbaits typically have the hooks needed to suspend properly. This changes with water temp, but I also feel like heavier hooks ruin the baits action by making it act more sluggish. If you need to add weight for balance I'd suggest getting suspend dots or strips, much easier to adjust weight that way. 

[Molay1292]

I use split rings to balance my suspending jerkbaits and to help them suspend at the angle I prefer.

 

[Jrob78]

I've seen guys add an additional split ring to walking baits and spoons.  This extends the hook a little and allows them to swing more freely.  It also makes it harder for fish to get leverage to throw a hook.  I've not tried this myself but it could be something to tinker with.

Also, I like EWG trebles on my crankbaits but prefer round bend trebles on topwaters and jerkbaits.  I feel like the round bends hook fish that swipe at the bait better than EWG's.  Don't know if it actually makes much difference but I have confidence doing it this way.