Trebble Hooks

[NHBull]

It is hard to read a thread about crankbait and surface bait where half the guys aren't replacing the hooks.  What are you looking for in a trebble and what are the most popular sizes.  While I am at the well, why are some going to shorts and wide gap.  I get that it is personal preference, but is there consensus on any of this....

Thanks

Al

 

[Jeff H]

I like shorts because they seem to grab less weeds.  I am almost always cranking near weeds and shorts just seem to come through a little bit better for me.

 

Some change for heavier or lighter wire or better quality.  Some have brand preference.

 

I'm going to try these next season...

http://www.rapala.com/vmc/hooks/treble/7545-spark-pointandreg-treble/7545+Spark+Point+Treble.html?cgid=vmc-hooks-treble#start=36&cgid=vmc-hooks-treble

[A-Jay]

I change trebles on most all baits.  I use the Mustad hooks discussed in this video.  Rather than telling you why I do it, this guys knows a thing or two about the subject. 

 

 

A-Jay

[CTBassin860]

Mustad KVD Triple grips 2x short 1x strong.Depending on what's on them its usually size 4 or 6.I do this on every lure I don't trust the hooks on.Thats most of them.If the don't come with Mustad,Gammys or Owners I swap em.

Its a confidence thing as much as it up or down sizing to get a different sink or rise rate.Plus the shorts can't get tangled to each other and throw the action off.

[burrows]

I used to change out all my hooks but it got expensive so now i only do it if the bait is effective and has crapppy hooks otherwise I see no need to change them, if they are nickel plated I won't change them unless they bend out.

  If I had the money to be changing out all my hooks I'd probably use owner stingers.

[wdp]

As others, I only change if the bait doesn't come with sharp hooks already. I use a lot of Baby 1 minus baits. Great bait, but horrible/cheap hooks. 

 

I like owner & gammy trebles. I like the short shanks sometimes because they will keep the front and back trebles from tangling with some baits. Also, sometimes the front treble will catch on the lip of shallow divers. Again, short shanks help with that.

 

Plus, AS just had a bunch of Gammy short shanks on sale. They might still be marked down. 

["hamma"]

If a lure comes with dull hooks I sharpen them, If they start to rust? I will then change them out. I bought a ton of excalibur rotating trebles 20 years ago, and still have some. They work great, but as I cant find them anymore, and if I need a size I ran out of,.. I will go with just what KVD stated in the 2 videos A-jay posted. He makes some pertinent points,. and I'd end up typing out a marathon post to describe the why's. I dont "always" buy the KVD's,.. But at least replacements that fall under the same criteria.

 You really need to be careful when replacing trebles, not only for the salvation of blood,..lol,..but if you add new ones that are to long shafted,. they may get caught on each other, therefore fouling the presentation.

  As for feathered trebles? I tie my own up on the hook I wanna use, they can be expensive to buy, and usually not found in the sizes I want.

 

 P.S. Squam?,.. I get it

[scaleface]

I dont replace the hooks on any of my new crankbaits unless they become damaged .When I do replace them I use inexpensive round bend VMC or Mustad .   Most old lures had terrible hooks , sometimes even equipped with  aluminium.  Some lures , like the Rebel Deep Wee R or Rogers Big Jims  had the hook eyes to close to each other  and regular hooks become tangled . I switch to short shanks on those .

 

I  sharpen trebels too . Maybe one  day i'll make a video. I use the diamond file on a leatherman . Put the file inside the bends , place the index and middle fingers on the outside of the  two points touching the file  and gently press    down .I then use a back and forth motion . Then keep rotating the points until they are all sharpened . They can be done on the other side too ,sharpening the outside with your fingers on the inside ..

[UKCATSBASSER]

I spent the Holidays replacing all the hooks on my strike king products. 

 

5xd

6xd

1.5

2.5

red eye shad

 

all others I will leave factory on unless they get damaged or dull

[thebillsman]

I haven't had too many problems with stock hooks on the name brands. Lucky Craft, Megabass, SK, Jackall..

 

If I have to switch hooks I usually go with an Owner ST-36.

[Cgolf]

I generally by mid level brands, Rapala, Bandit, Strike King, and Norman cranks and really haven't found a reason to swap out the hooks. If I tourney fished I might on the baits that would be in the boat, but not on all due to the cost of switching. About the only hooks I change out are when you get a bait with the cheap silver hooks that just look dull, but I buy very few cranks that have those anymore.

[junyer357]

I agree with a-jay. I do it for most all of my cranks. Its a confidence thing for me. I like being able to go up a size (from a stock #4 to a #2 short shank) on my hooks without tangling them up. I feel like its helped hook and land more fish for me.