Treble Hook Upgrades & Hook Strength Tips/Suggestions...???

[DEPS_250]

I am planning on upgrading the treble hooks on all of my hardbait swimbaits. I like to fish 40-65lb braid to a 15-30lb Mono/Fluorocarbon leader depending on the style and size/weight of the bait. I also fish with swimbait rods that have a moderate fast taper with a good amount of parabolic bend to them for most of my treble hook swimbaits. 

 

With that said...

 

1. Is the number of (X) strength nomenclature/standard the same across the industry no matter which manufacturer/brand of hook? Therefore, is one manufacturer's (X) designation supposed to be the 'same' strength as another manufacturer's equal (X) designation. For example, would a 2X Owner, a 2X Gamakatsu and a 2X Mustad be the same strengths? Or is there no standard and therefore you would have to do your own testing and/or go with what others have tried and tested already as far as strength goes? 

 

2. Butch Brown is one of my swimbait idols and he does not upgrade treble hooks at all on any of his baits. He fishes his swimbaits with stock hardware all the time and he catches big fish. Therefore, is it even necessary to upgrade your treble hooks at all?

 

3. Will a 1X strength treble hook be enough for most bass fishing applications/scenarios...? Braid does not have any stretch and is known for bending out weak/sub-standard hooks. Even though I like fishing with a braid main line, the mono/fluoro leader combined with a moderate amount of parabolic bend in my swimbait rod should be enough to not bend out 1X hooks on big fish right?

 

4. On the other hand, I do fish in CA and our bass are known to be bigger than usual. The lakes I like to fish have some pretty nice sized stripers in them and there is always a good chance of hooking a big striper when fishing with big swimbaits in the lakes I fish. Typically, 5-10lb stripers are the most common with the usual teener mixed in here and there. Though, there is always the chance for a big 20lb+ striper also. In this case, should I upgrade to the 2X treble hooks instead?

 

5. Is doubling up on split rings necessary for most big swimbaits/hardbaits? Do most guys do this for the added strength/insurance or is it mainly for the extra freedom of movement against the fish having leverage when trying to dislodge the hook? If my bait has swiveling hook hangers already, than I do not need to double up on split rings correct? 

 

I am planning on fishing big baits this year to break my current PB and also for a chance at some big land/lake locked stripers, therefore the chances of hooking a big bass or hooking a big striper are higher and therefore I was concerned with upgrading my hooks. I was thinking of going with Owner Stinger ST-36 hooks for first for my swimbait hook upgrade. If these fail or bend on me, I was thinking I might have to upgrade to the Owner ST-41 or the Gamakatsu 2X hooks. 

[WRB]

Higher end swimbaits have excellent hooks out of the box.

Butch is anal about keeping hooks sharp.

Tom

[FishTank]

I just picked up two Slideswimmer 175s and the hooks on those are excellent. If OP is fishing his name sake, the 250, he should be good.

[gulfcaptain]

So If you horse fish on big baits your st-36 owners are crap. Move to a st-56. Think that the 3x strong hooks. I use lighter hooks but then I also match my gear and drag as to not overpower and bend them out. And as Tom said, most high dollar swimbaits have quality hooks already and are sharp (buddy dropped a 250 out of the package and when almost to the bone in his thumb  with just the bait sliding out). So think about your style...if you are   heavy handed like Matt Allen upgrade to the 3x st-56. 

[DEPS_250]

25 minutes ago, gulfcaptain said:

So If you horse fish on big baits your st-36 owners are crap. Move to a st-56. Think that the 3x strong hooks. I use lighter hooks but then I also match my gear and drag as to not overpower and bend them out. And as Tom said, most high dollar swimbaits have quality hooks already and are sharp (buddy dropped a 250 out of the package and when almost to the bone in his thumb  with just the bait sliding out). So think about your style...if you are   heavy handed like Matt Allen upgrade to the 3x st-56. 

I was just looking/reading up on the Owner ST-56 just now. I think they might be overkill no? I mean, if I was fishing straight braid with no leader and a very fast action rod with huge amounts of backbone with little parabolic bend to it, than yeah, I should be upgrading to the Owner ST-56. 

 

I like to fish cheap mono/flurorocarbon that I use as leaders and these lines usually have a good amount of stretch to them. My Swimbait rods are also pretty soft and parabolic with a good amount of bend all along the blank and into the butt section.

 

I am thinking a setup with braid to a very stretchy leader combined with a very parabolic rod, should be enough to at least mitigate/lessen 30-40% or approximately 1/3 of the strength (i.e. of a straight braid setup) needed to bend out/fail a 1X or Owner ST-36 hooks. Therefore, I am thinking I can get by with just the ST-36's or no? 

 

On the other hand, I do have a 'heavy handed' fishing style and I do like to horse my fish in. Therefore why I illuded to the Owner ST-41. 

[looking45]

I catch decent size strippers on top water when fishing the Delta.  I’ve switched out some of the trebles to inline hooks. Bigger bite and a lot stronger than the trebles

[DEPS_250]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Higher end swimbaits have excellent hooks out of the box.

Butch is anal about keeping hooks sharp.

Tom

I thought so too, at least until about a week ago. I bought a high end japanese bait from TW and tested it out in brackish water thinking it should hold up against some saltwater use.

 

Boy, was I wrong! The next day, I took a look at the bait and the hooks and split rings all rusted up! I have to change out the hooks now! You would think a high end 40 dollar japanese bait would come with premium hardware and hooks! 

 

On a side note...

 

Does anyone know if the Owner Stinger treble hooks are safe for saltwater use? Description says corrosion resistant finish. It also states that it is suitable for inshore fishing. I want to use some of my freshwater swimbaits in saltwater for calico bass, sand bass, rockfish, barracuda and yellowtail fishing on cattle/charter boats for deep sea/island fishing in SoCal.

 

I should be fine as far as rust/corrosion is concerned, as long as I make sure I outfit my freshwater swimbaits with Owner stinger treble hooks right...? If not, will I need to change out the hooks on my freshwater swimbaits to saltwater approved hooks?

[DEPS_250]

On a side note...How do you edit a post? I can't find the edit button/tab/icon anywhere on the site?

[WRB]

No need for 3X heavy wire treble hooks for LMB fishing. 
Salt water you need hooks designed with plating to protect the steel from corrosion. 
I used Owner STS-58 Zo-wire treble hooks, very strong, sharp and don’t corrode.

Owners split rings are good.

Tom

[gulfcaptain]

Id go st-41s then or look into the zowire hooks. Heard positive things about them watching Todd Castledine. 

[roadwarrior]

 

24 minutes ago, DEPS_250 said:

On a side note...How do you edit a post? I can't find the edit button/tab/icon anywhere on the site?

Tap those three little dots in the upper right corner of the message. That will take to a page of options. Tap "edit".