Am I the only guy who doesn't replace hooks?

[billmac]

Perhaps I don't catch big enough fish, or I'm just cheap and lazy, but I never replace the hooks on my lures.  Apart from snags, I've never had a hook break or bend, and if I bend it on a snag, I just bend it back.  If I don't feel like a hook is sharp enough, I sharpen it.  Just wondering if I'm the only one.

[Teal]

Your probably aren't the only one, but certain lures I buy, the stock hooks are trash.  I have a small stock of trebles I replace them with.  And with some lures, the stock hooks are acceptable and i use them until they get full byound sharpening (some of them sharpening doesnt do any good) so i replace them when needed.  I dont lose a large amount of treble lures, so it's worth it to change the hooks rather than getting a new lure.  And in the last case, I have a few top waters and cranks where I like shorter treble on it, because it gets tangled,  so the kvd, 1x short 2x strong hook is a staple

[MN Fisher]

I've got a stock of Owner ST-36 just in case. I did replace the supplied trebles on one set of lures - 5-pack of Cabelas square bills - the front hooks were arranged in a 'T' shape instead of a triangle when looking from underneath.

[Nibbles]

You're probably fine if you have drag set to around 4 - 6 lbs, but if you're like me and like to horse fish in with the drag dialed up to 8+ lbs, might be worth investing in some 3x wire hooks.

 

I've bent out the stock Gamakatsu trebles on Spro Little Johns when hooking into 30+ inch pike on multiple occasions now

[Dens228]

I hate switching hooks.  It's one thing if the hook is damaged in some way but I'm not going to spend money on a lure knowing I'm switching the hooks out before I even use it.  I don't care how good the actual lure body is.  I have actually switched brands due to my dissatisfaction with the stock hooks.   

[Captain Phil]

If you are fishing for fun, changing a lure's hooks may not be a top priority.  It's all about how you feel when a fish gets away. If you are serious about fishing, it's a necessity.  I have no idea why some lure manufacturers put such junk hooks on their baits?  If you don't change the hooks, at least sharpen them.  

[Teal]

1 hour ago, Nibbles said:

You're probably fine if you have drag set to around 4 - 6 lbs, but if you're like me and like to horse fish in with the drag dialed up to 8+ lbs, might be worth investing in some 3x wire hooks.

 

I've bent out the stock Gamakatsu trebles on Spro Little Johns when hooking into 30+ inch pike on multiple occasions now

Typically my drag is probably set 3 to 4 lbs unless I'm pitching or punching heavy stuff... I dont have heavy drag set on treble baits...ever.  I have turned it up or down a few clicks while hauling the fish..but that's it.  Unless its 20 to 25 lb line then 6 lbs is probably ok 

[Dens228]

7 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

If you are fishing for fun, changing a lure's hooks may not be a top priority.  It's all about how you feel when a fish gets away. If you are serious about fishing, it's a necessity.  I have no idea why some lure manufacturers put such junk hooks on their baits?  If you don't change the hooks, at least sharpen them.  

I recently had an issue with a barb breaking off without me realizing it but that was on me, not the jig.  The only issue I've had with stock hooks was them being too thin and bending.  One very popular brand in particular, their crankbaits, I was bending hooks on 2 pound bass.  Not every once in awhile, it happened more times than not. That is not acceptable.  

[lynxcat]

I have never changed out trebles but I also rarely fish cranks, lipless, or jerkbaits. I pond fish 99.9% of the time and they often have too much grass for these to be feasible. I catch bass up to 5lbs but 2-3lbs is more normal.  It hasn’t been an issue for me. 
 

The only hooks I’ve bent out with any consistency were Ned heads...that’s on me being too aggressive with light wire. 

[5/0]

2 hours ago, Teal said:

so the kvd, 1x short 2x strong hook is a staple

Would like some clarification on what these numbers represent when picking a treble hook. I’ve looked a dozens of different brands and each has it’s own way of describing the specs.

Does the  1X represent one times shorter than standard and the 2X represent two times stronger than standard? Assuming that a stronger hook would weigh more, how heavy can you go without affecting the action of any crank or jerk bait you replace trebles on?

 

[Jig Man]

No you aren’t.  If I think that their hooks aren’t good enough then why would I waste money on their baits.

[Jaderose]

Nope.  If I can't land a fish on a lure with 2 treble hooks hanging off of it, Having them be sharper or "better" isn't going to help.  

 

[Fishes in trees]

For me - it just depends ( and I'm not really making an adult incontinence underwear joke here ).   Most baits - I don't bother.  However I do carry a supply of extra trebles for different circumstances.  A list of these circumstances might include - putting extra strong hooks on a bait like a Rogue, where I'm hoping the extra weight of the hooks will help it suspend.  Some my deep diving cranks, the hooks look a little funny because I've gotten them hook hung and in the process of getting them back, bent the hooks some.   When these get too weak in my opinion, I'll put on new lighter hooks.

Once upon a time I was at a seminar, don't really remember who said it or where it was but a pro mentioned that there was a time & place for lighter wire hooks.  His example was his favorite lipless cranks.  On his favorite lakes, which were clear cut prior to filling, the process left thousands of stumps in the lake - all foot & a half to 4 feet tall.  This was prime lipless crank territory and also prime territory for losing said cranks.   He liked the lighter hooks so that they would bend out when snagged.  He thought it was no big deal to just replace them after they looked too weird after being bent back into shape too many times.

 

Now it bugs me that I can't remember which pro told me that, but  oh well, misremembering stuff happens from time to time.

 

While we're on the subject, changing out hooks is a pain and a challenge if you don't have the right tool.  Invest in a decent set of split ring pliers ( mine are from Texas Tackle) and the whole experience becomes easier.  The so called split ring tip found on some sets of Rapala fishing pliers doesn't work real well.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

1 hour ago, 5/0 said:

Would like some clarification on what these numbers represent when picking a treble hook. I’ve looked a dozens of different brands and each has it’s own way of describing the specs.

Does the  1X represent one times shorter than standard and the 2X represent two times stronger than standard? Assuming that a stronger hook would weigh more, how heavy can you go without affecting the action of any crank or jerk bait you replace trebles on?

 

1x is basically a standard hook diameter 2x just means its a heavier gauge wire.  Heavier hooks on a crankbait just make it rise lower.  Some Jerkbaits can be more difficult.  Some suspending JBs are balanced so precisely that hooks a gram heavier then the stock hooks will cause it to sink.  Every company is different, you just have to fill a bucket with water close to the same temperature that the watery our fishing is going  to be.  Use a set of tongs to put it halfway to the bottom and see what happens.   

[Teal]

Yes it's a little shorter and heavier gauge hook

[GetFishorDieTryin]

1 hour ago, Jaderose said:

Nope.  If I can't land a fish on a lure with 2 treble hooks hanging off of it, Having them be sharper or "better" isn't going to help.  

 

Better hooks can be the difference between a fair and an awesome day especially with JBs.  When the bait is sitting still on the pause you don't have contact with the bait. If a fish takes a shot at it during the pause, the sharper hooks catch on the inside of the mouth whether he tries to spit it out or not.

[Jaderose]

1 minute ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

Better hooks can be the difference between a fair and an awesome day especially with JBs.  When the bait is sitting still on the pause you don't have contact with the bait. If a fish takes a shot at it during the pause, the sharper hooks catch on the inside of the mouth whether he tries to spit it out or not.

I'm sure you're right.  I don't throw that many jerks.  My home lake has so many stumps and submerged wood that it's just not that conducive to it.     

[WRB]

I remember when American made crank baits were supplied with weak, dull tin plated Mustad and Eagle Claw treble hooks for decades. VMC became the majority treble supplier improving quality with over the counter crank baits. Then along came the Japanese super sharp black nickle treble and worm hooks, game changer.

Today Mustad and VMC supply the majority of OTC lures with sharp black nickle hooks.

No readon to change out treble hooks unless you want to up size the hook or want higher quality then stock hooks.

Name brand lures can't afford to supply their lures with cheap dull hooks today.

Tom

[Smells like fish]

Let's face it, some hooks are just junk and have to be replaced. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

2 hours ago, lynxcat said:

The only hooks I’ve bent out with any consistency were Ned heads...that’s on me being too aggressive with light wire. 

You ever try weedless ned heads?  Ive tried a few and I really like Lifted Jigs heads.  Its got a VMC #1 EWG that fits a 2.75 TRD perfect.  I was surprised that the TRD stands up just well with the EWG as it does with the standard head.  

[Bassfishingfred]

I fish my 110's with stock hooks and have caught fish up to 5lb on them. I don't live in big Bass water so the only reason to change would be if the bait came with really crappy hardware. I've never had a problem 

[Mat_ski]

No you are not. I am exact same way. 
 

[jbmaine]

Don't fish that many baits with treble hooks, but the ones I do, I don't change out the hooks. I might sharpen them, if needed. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Name brand lures can't afford to supply their lures with cheap dull hooks today.

There's a few companies that do that still.  Rapala is the first one that comes to mind.  The hooks on the Shad Raps and Husky Jerks aren't to good.  The Shadow Raps and X Raps seem to be a little better quality as far hooks go, but Im not crazy about them....As a young kid I don't remember seeing VMCs anywhere.  It wasn't until my mid teens when I remember seeing them.  When did VMC hit the market? 

1 hour ago, Bassfishingfred said:

I fish my 110's with stock hooks and have caught fish up to 5lb on them. I don't live in big Bass water so the only reason to change would be if the bait came with really crappy hardware. I've never had a problem 

The MB outbarb trebles aren't bad at all

[A-Jay]

Non-Hook Changers Unite !

 

I change and or up-size just about every treble hook.

Feel better this way.

Even offering All the stock hooks here for sale. Hundreds in fact.  Still up I think.  

Basically giving them away for the cost of the shipping.  Figured with so many bassheads preferring them, they'd be gone quickly.

Nope.  

So I'm that guy. 

A-Jay