Changing out hooks on small crankbaits (a young man's game)

[Ratherbfishing]

Last night I spent the better part of an hour (maybe longer) trying to change out some hooks on some small Rebel Crickhoppers).  I'd gotten it into my head that they were too small (thus missing and/or losing some fish) and wanted to upscale a size or two (to, I think #10's or 12's-I can't recall which).  They were small, alright.  Or, more accurately, the split rings were small.  Even WITH my reading glasses, I could scarcely see to change them-let alone get my fat fingers into place to hold the rings steady or spread them.  I've seen images of people "flagellate" themselves with sharp chains or whips for religious reasons but if they REALLY want to torture themselves, I can give them a few pointers.

[doublest]

Amen! to that, My sentiments exactly. I picked up a pair of small split ring pliers designed for jewelry one day while in Hobby Lobby hoping I had found the secret. Even with these, opening the small rings is an exercise in futility. Must be some available somewhere that can ease the aggravation. I haven't seen them

[RB 77]

I have 20/10 vision and still find this to be a PITA sometimes. You are not alone...

[WRB]

Small needle nose pliers and split ring pliers. Hold the split ring with the needle nose and open the split ring using split ring pliers. Next use the needle nose to insert the new hook eye in the opened split ring end and rotate the new hook to push out the old hook.

Tom

[A-Jay]

Besides a good pair of split ring pliers - these Xuron 450BN Bent Nose Pliers have come in very handy for changing out trebles.

And  I change out EVERY ONE.

A-Jay

 

 

[blckshirt98]

Split ring pliers are a must when changing out hooks! And yes I have issues with some of the smaller split rings as well, just part of having short fat fingers and minor astigmatism.  One thing that helps me from getting stuck by the trebles is sticking a hook bonnet on any trebles that are not being replaced.

["hamma"]

try using a pair of small split ring pliers and a pair of hemostats,.. works for me whenever that "lovely" task presents itself. As I too stabbed myself a few times til i came to my senses (about 30 years ago) and realized there has to be a better way

[Scott F]

I also use my fly tying vice to hold the lure in place while I attempt to replace the small hooks.

[Ratherbfishing]

33 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I also use my fly tying vice to hold the lure in place while I attempt to replace the small hooks.

I HAVE a fly tying vice and never thought to use it for this application.  Derrrr!!!!!!!  This is why I only finished 3rd grade!

[S. Sass]

It is rough until you get a system figured out that works for you. I use fairly small split ring pliers and my fat fingers. Occasionally I still get stuck but it's not bad at all maybe once every 3rd or 4th hook I change. I wear bifocals as well so I'm pretty blind. Just go slow, it helps me to not get stuck. The more you do it the easier it gets. 

One thing that kind of amazed me was a video of them making rattle traps. The ladies were snapping hooks on as if it was nothing. But they do 1000s so they have perfected it. 

[smalljaw67]

Split ring pliers make it a lot easier to do this. One word of advice, don't up size hooks on those small cranks, instead use the same size but go with a Daiichi size #10 treble on the 3/16oz crickethopper. I have done well with those for both bass and trout and I did the up size thing and it really killed the action and it was noticeable in a lot less bites. Go with the better hook over the larger hook, from my experience the Daiichi is probably the best treble in a small size, my River2Sea Dragonfly has 1 Daiichi size 10 treble hook on it and I probably land 3 out of every 4 fish I hook on it.

[Fishes in trees]

Believe it or don't, but there is a BIG difference between different brands of split ring pliers.   Get a good set.   I got a some Texas Tackle split ring pliers from Cabelas and my old generic pair immediately got sent to the scrap metal pile in my shop.   The Texas Tackle pliers were recommended at Tackle Tour several years ago.

Don't stop there - good tools make all the difference.   Hemostats, curved tip hemostats, needle nose pliers, fly tying vice are all necessary.

Don't ignore good lights.

[scaleface]

I thought i was buying   a good set from Bass pro and still have trouble .  They must not be a good set .

1 hour ago, Fishes in trees said:

Believe it or don't, but there is a BIG difference between different brands of split ring pliers.   Get a good set.   I got a some Texas Tackle split ring pliers from Cabelas and my old generic pair immediately got sent to the scrap metal pile in my shop.   The Texas Tackle pliers were recommended at Tackle Tour several years ago.

Don't stop there - good tools make all the difference.   Hemostats, curved tip hemostats, needle nose pliers, fly tying vice are all necessary.

Don't ignore good lights.

Those Texas Tackle ones look  like they would work good . Are they small enough for all split rigs ?

[J Francho]

25 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Are they small enough for all split rigs ?

They come in three sizes.

[Torn Thumb]

This is what I use. I work in an injection molding shop so we have dozens of these kicking around. Just slowly close them around the middle of the split ring and voila, open sesame.

[Jrob78]

15 hours ago, scaleface said:

I thought i was buying   a good set from Bass pro and still have trouble .  They must not be a good set .

Those Texas Tackle ones look  like they would work good . Are they small enough for all split rigs ?

The TX Tackle pliers are the real deal and have the best design.  I had a set of BPS pliers that were awful, I threw them in the trash after getting the TT pliers.  The regular size with the orange grips are pretty small, they work on everything I've used them on.

[blckshirt98]

+1 to Texas Tackle.  I bought a cheapo pair of split ring ring pliers the first time around, should have spent the extra money for the Texas Tackle pliers from the get go.

[KP Duty]

Fingernails are your friend with this deal.  You may mar up one or two of your nails, but it's significantly faster and makes a man out of you.  I'm half kidding...