Change out hooks on Chug Bug?

[the reel ess]

My buddy lost a big bass on the Chug Bug recently and decided to go one size bigger on the hooks. I've never had an issue with them. Does anyone change them out s a rule? Do you go a size bigger or just better quality?

[primetime]

I believe the newer Chug Bugs (Last 7-8 years?) come with the VMC Sure sets since Rapala makes them. At least on the rear dressed treble. I know the biggest versions I have are slightly older but they have heavy guage saltwater hooks which I personally wouldn't change and they are plenty big.

The regular size not the tiny one has quality hooks, I fish them quite a bit and never had issues, but I could see them potentially bending if throwing it on heavy braid and trying to muscle a bigger fish in. They are not heavy guage, but I usually throw my topwaters on 10-15lb Mono so I rarely bend hooks unless I leave stock hooks on less expensive baits and put them on line and rod that is too heavy, drag not set right.....But sometimes....Hooks will fail for no fault of your own, Some would say bigger trebles with wider gap would bend easier, so I am sure we all look at it differently.  

 

I don't like to change treble sizes on topwater lures since it often messes up the action from my experience. I will replace with round bend trebles of same size if new ones are needed.

 

 

Just my take. The chug Bug is a lure that has a unique sound and walking action, so I would just try to keep the sitting position in water the same if I were to change them out. Maybe just move up to a thicker hook if it bent. Losing big fish on topwater is the worst feeling cause you get to hear and see them.....

[smalljaw67]

Losing fish on topwater baits happens even with the best hooks. If he lost the fish because the hook bent straight that is a different story but if he just lost it then it is a missed fish. Bass don't always get the bait really well and if you use braid for topwater a lot of times you end up pulling the bait away a split second too fast. What then happens is you only "skin hook" the fish and one or two head shakes or a jump and it is gone. I'll echo what primetime just told you, and that is stay with the same size hook as some topwaters will lose action if you add a little extra weight from going with a heavier hook or a larger size. I have a half dozen of the Rattling Chug Bugs, they are fantastic topwater baits and the first popper I ever used that walked the dog without me even trying.

[Black Hawk Basser]

I love the Chug Bug.  I've never had any hook issues with them.  I believe all of them that I have are pretty aged, probably from over 10 years ago.

[the reel ess]

Good replies. I didn't feel the need to change mine and I've caught a couple of fish over 6 on it. I think my buddy was swayed to do it because he lost a big fish. @primetimemy Chug Bug is a newer one as I only started fishing it in the last 2 years. Yeah @smalljaw67it is a unique action to topwaters. Half Pop R and half Spook.