Preferred treble hooks for topwater replacements?

[ThrowinPlugs]

Hey all, I had a question for you. Ive always been much more a surfcaster over freshwater fisherman so changing hooks and split rings was always a thing but I never put that effort into freshwater. Now that my primary focus switched, I wanna change the hooks that are worn/pulled on my topwaters (pop R specifically).

 

What do yall prefer? Normally for salt id go VMC or owner, but I know nothing about smaller treble hooks. Are the Berkeley fusions any good? 

[MN Fisher]

For replacements on my lures, if it's not Owner ST-36 or ST-41, it's VMC 8540

 

Stick with the Owner and VMC

[Sphynx]

I use Owner hooks whenever possible, but that's not to say that Gamakatsu or Mustad or VMC or whoever does not make a good hook, I just am familiar and confident in the Owner lineup and don't see any reason generally to go to the trouble of finding out which other hooks will do what the ones I already use do just fine. 

[Captain Phil]

Owner or Gamakatsu.

[A-Jay]

 

Treble hooks – I change them.  All my topwater, jerk, rattle, square & crankbaits, even blade baits & spybaits all get aftermarket trebles.  And topwater baits that have feathers, also get changed out, I just tie up my own.  (So easy, even an A-Jay can do it)

Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble Hook, Gamakatsu EWG Treble Short Shank Magic Eye and Owner Short Shank Treble Hook ST-35 all adorn my baits.  Especially like that Owner ST-35 (Not for a tail hook though) as it features 150-degree Premium Point Position design, which splits two hook points out 150-degrees versus the typical 120-degrees between all three points. This allows the hook points to be positioned slightly farther out from your bait and help increase your hook up percentage. Opening the gap to 150-degrees also minimizes damage to your bait from the hook points, while keeping the hook points sharper over time as well.

    Note: Owner Stinger ST-35 Short Shank Treble Hooks are designed to be used with baits that have the hook hanger in line with the length of the bait.  These will not hang correctly on lures that feature any hook hanger that is perpendicular to the length of the lure – some of the offerings from Megabass for instance.  Had to include that because as great as these trebles are – they do not work in the situation described.

Any & all questionable split rings are traded out for Owner Hyper wires. (including Line ties)

Fish Hard

A-Jay

[roadwarrior]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_Katsuage_Out_Barb_Treble_Hooks_5pk/descpage-MBKOBH.html

[islandbass]

I have VMC, Owner, Mustad and Gamakatsu trebles. They are all excellent and I use the them as replacements and stock inline spinners if I ever feel the need to use a treble.

 

As far as I know VMCs are have been stock on Rapala lures and they are a lure I do not need to replace out of the box. 
 

Owners and Gammies are seem to have a nice sense of refinement and aire about them that you know aren’t going to fail you. 
 

If Mustad still makes them, their triple grips just look sick, but definitely functional, lol. 
 

 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, islandbass said:

As far as I know VMCs are have been stock on Rapala lures and they are a lure I do not need to replace out of the box. 

Since Normark Corp owns both Rapala and VMC - it's a given that Rapala lures will have VMC hooks.

 

That also works for Storm, Luhr Jensen, Blue Fox, Terminator, and Williamson - all owned by Normark.

 

P.S. They also own Sufix.

[the reel ess]

Whichever you choose, I would go with a wire hook one size larger. The biggest issue I have with the Pop R, besides the fact it's too light, is the hooks are too small. I replaced the front hook on both of mine.

[Chris at Tech]

Hooks are one area of bass fishing where I've come to the conclusion that any of the reputable brands will do the job quite nicely.  Gammy, Mustad, Owner, VMC...

 

Just replace with hooks of similar size/weight to not disturb the bait's action or buoyancy.

[NHBull]

I am largely in the A-Jay camp, but have also 

Really like the MARTIN'S Oshaunnessey (sp) bend

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Aaron_Martens_TGW_Nano_Finesse_Treble_Hook/descpage-NFH.html

[ThrowinPlugs]

I appreciate it everyone! I'll stick with owner, VMC and Gami then. 

 

While on the subject of hooks, does anyone make a 1/16 ned rig that doesn't have a junk hook? They bend out so easy.

[MN Fisher]

15 minutes ago, ThrowinPlugs said:

I appreciate it everyone! I'll stick with owner, VMC and Gami then. 

 

While on the subject of hooks, does anyone make a 1/16 ned rig that doesn't have a junk hook? They bend out so easy.

Owner Blockhead

https://www.ownerhooks.com/product/blockhead/

[A-Jay]

That Blockhead is good.

The Outkast Tackle Perfect Ned Head is pretty decent as well

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Outkast_Tackle_Perfect_Ned_Head_3pk/descpage-OTPN.html

 

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

The Outkast Tackle Perfect Ned Head is pretty decent as well

I might have to run over to Omnia and pick some up...they're only 20 minutes from me.

 

One thing I like about the Blockheads is they go even lighter...1/32 oz...talk about a slow fall.

[Bluebasser86]

I use Owner ST36 for the most part but if you find a good deal on the Berkley Fusion 19 hooks, they're very good quality and I'd have no issues using them. Berkley baits are one of the only baits I fish with the stock hooks because the Fusions are so good. 

[ThrowinPlugs]

Thanks for the info everyone! Picked up some ST 36's in size 6 and 1/16 owner ned rigs. Absolute upgrades. I should get some #4 treble too next chance I get.