Bent treble hooks

[ThirstyBalboa]

I have a few buddies who like to lure fish for peacock bass. (Sorry if it's a little off topic of largies) anyways they swear loosening drag wont solve their bent hook issues. I dont know the gear they use other than x rap lures. They always spend about as much as the lure on split rings and hooks. Just curious if anyone has any ideas other than changing hooks. I feel like loosening the drag will solve their issue. One of them thinks they hot so fast the drag doesnt respond fast enough. I kind of chuckled at the thought, but maybe possible?

[Glaucus]

Bad hooks are bad hooks. The sad thing is, renowned companies tend to provide bad stock hooks. Loosening your drag to compensate goes beyond the meaning of drag. Use drag properly and use good hooks.

[Fishes in trees]

Once upon a time I was at some sports show seminar where the "pro" who's speaking rambled for a while about how the quality of hooks generally supplied on cranks wasn't a "bad" thing.  Specifically referring to lipless cranks he talked about when you got the lure stuck on a stump, it was just easier to firmly pull the lure off the stump and then when you got the lure back - re-bend the treble to approximately its original shape with your pliers and continue fishing.   He recommended every so often swap that hook out for a similar quality hook.  I remember thinking "huh" at the time, but as I was bank bound that approach allowed me to save a couple of lipless cranks that otherwise would have been sacrificed.

Then I got a boat, and a pole type lure retriever and a "hound dog" type retriever on a stout cord, and within a season came to the conclusion that stronger hooks made it more likely that fish that bit made it into the boat.

 

My point here is that I'm not really a fan of weak hooks and if a fish is strong enough to bend a hook I don't think that any drag setting is going to make any difference.

[diversity210]

Drag isnt meant for preventing you from straightening out hooks on the hookset.  It might help a bit, but then again you will have to dial the drag in to be able to set the hook properly, but not so much so that you straighten out the hooks.  I just dont see it as being the most affection way to go.  3 things come to mind for me.  Tie on a mono leader.  That will add a little give on hooksets.  Second would be to use better selection of rods.  Finding a rod with a softer tip but still has plenty of backbone.  Third would be simply to change out the hooks to something stronger with a shorter shank.  I use Owner Stinger 2X and Mustad Ultrapoint Triple grip 2X short shank. 

[ThirstyBalboa]

Well no one says it's on a hook set. To be honest I dont think there is an actual hook set that happens. They usually hit fast and hard and hook themselves. My thing about the drag is i am not sure the hook bends on the strike. It could gradually bend during the retrieve where if drag was too tight this would cause a bend. At least in my brain it could haha 

[rosshilk]

This issue ruined Shadow Raps for me. I bent all three trebles on pretty average fish. I haven't been impressed by Rapala's hooks.

[LionHeart]

Loosening drag to save hooks from bending is the same as loosening drag when using light fishing line, it works.  

 

Not sure how it can be a debate.

[ThirstyBalboa]

On 3/13/2019 at 9:24 AM, LionHeart said:

Loosening drag to save hooks from bending is the same as loosening drag when using light fishing line, it works.  

 

Not sure how it can be a debate.

The only reason I see to keep it tight here is if fishing under bridges you need some control. Open water I loosen drag for fun! 

[Crestliner2008]

Switch out your trebles for VMC InLine Single hooks. Just as effective and they will deform much less. Tough hooks!

[davecon]

I fish for snook often. Bycatch is redfish and tarpon.

 

Bent trebles is part of the game. I buy 4x replacements but they get bent as well.

 

I have a 3700 tackle box filled with replacement trebles in every size I use. Also have a split rings and a really good set of split ring pliers. I buy the hooks in packages of 100.

 

One of the things I do when returning from a trip is check the hooks on every lure I used and replace if necessary.

[islandbass]

On 3/12/2019 at 1:41 AM, Glaucus said:

Bad hooks are bad hooks. The sad thing is, renowned companies tend to provide bad stock hooks. Loosening your drag to compensate goes beyond the meaning of drag. Use drag properly and use good hooks.

Indeed, that is a general rule but rapalas for as long as I have used them sport VMC hooks and those are solid, reputable hooks. 

 

Hooks should not bend if the drag is properly set, even against peacocks. 

 

Therefore, either the hooks are faulty or the drag is set to to a level a standard gauge treble ain’t going to cut the mustard. Change them out for more durable ones. It’s an easy fix. This particular case with the peacocks I won’t blame rapala on. The onus is on the angler to know and realize how his quarry will fare and plan to engage accordingly. Use the appropriate hook, lol. 

 

I’d even consider switching those trebles out for single hooks like a siwash. 

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, islandbass said:

Indeed, that is a general rule but rapalas for as long as I have used them sport VMC hooks and those are solid, reputable hooks. 

Considering VMC is owned by Rapala - it's not surprising they use those hooks.

[soflabasser]

9 hours ago, davecon said:

I fish for snook often. Bycatch is redfish and tarpon.

 

Bent trebles is part of the game. I buy 4x replacements but they get bent as well.

 

I have a 3700 tackle box filled with replacement trebles in every size I use. Also have a split rings and a really good set of split ring pliers. I buy the hooks in packages of 100.

 

One of the things I do when returning from a trip is check the hooks on every lure I used and replace if necessary.

Good advice. I use saltwater grade trebles when canal fishing since you never know if a peacock bass, snook, or tarpon hits your lure that was intended for largemouth bass. I also replace worn down trebles with new ones when needed. Setting the drag at the correct setting is also important and a too tight drag is a common cause of bent treble hooks.

[kenmitch]

Peacock bass look like they'd be fun to catch. I've straightened out hooks and elongated spit rings pulling out snags using 30lb braid before. I've never straightened a hook fighting a fish. This leads me to believe that it's more of a drag issue, unless the hooks are old and weak already. I've caught channel cats on a #12 treble hook while bluegill fishing before. The largest was only a little over 6lbs, but a #12 treble a person could bend with there hands if they could even grip it.