Top Water Replacement Treble Hooks ? 2024

ChrisD46 reply :

A number of top water baits have pretty low quality hooks right out of the package (or shortly there after) ... Good quality top water hooks allow you to pretty much reel set and lean into a bass with a top water rod that may have a soft tip / parabolic action ... *What are your favorite top water replacement treble hooks for mostly #2 - #4 sizes and some #6's ?

J Francho reply :

Owner ST-36 or VMC Vanadium Inline.

ChrisD46 reply :

I did not see the VMC listed in their line up - does it go by another name as a treble hook ? ... The Academy near me has the Owner Stinger ST-36 for $5.99 per pack (about the best buy I will probably find) . I also saw the KVD Mustad Triple Grip treble hooks but know little about them as compared to the Owner ST-36 you reference .

A-Jay reply :

I do a good bit of topwater fishing - mostly for brown bass.

I rarely use stock treble hooks and usually change the hardware (split rings) as well.

(Owner Hyper Wire Split Rings are my choice)

While not every one's preference, I prefer EWG trebles to round bend.

Additionally, I often go up a size, especially on larger walking & popper baits.

With that - these are the brands & models I go with~

For the front and middle hook (if the bait has one) I really like the Owner Short Shank Treble Hook ST-35. Really like the one. It has two of the hook points spread out to 150 degrees vs the standard 120 degrees which places the hook points farther away for my bait increasing hook up percentages and hook rash.

Only caveat is the lures hook hangers must be 'in line' with the bait or these will not hang correctly - Megabass walking baits (Dog-X Diamante) are the only baits that I have where the hook hanger is turned 90 degrees making this treble not an option -

For all other baits & hook positions Including the tail hook, I use:

Gamakatsu EWG Treble Short Shank Magic Eye

Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble

Speaking of replacement tail hooks, I have yet to find a dressed one I like, so I tie my own on one of the two trebles listed above.

Finally, I'll use these same trebles for most all my replacement needs on Rattle baits, jerkbaits, Square, middle & deep Crank baits.

:smiley:

A-Jay

J Francho reply :

On 9/24/2019 at 8:25 PM, ChrisD46 said:

I did not see the VMC listed in their line up - does it go by another name as a treble hook ?

https://www.rapala.com/vmc/hooks/treble/5580-inline-treble/5580+Inline+Treble.html?cgid=vmc-hooks-treble&taglist=VMC|Hooks|Treble#start=13&cgid=vmc-hooks-treble

Bassattackr reply :

Gamakatsu EWG Treble Short Shank Magic Eye for me. Much higher quality hook than Mustad.

Grim_Reaver reply :

Round bends should (in theory) give you a better shot at hooking up if they slap at the bait. EWGs are better at keeping fish pinned after you hook up. St-36 or Gammy EWGs get my vote.

ChrisD46 reply :

Good info A-Jay and others ... There is a lot more thought on how good quality treble hooks are designed as well as what are best styles for specific lures (depending on what you are trying to accomplish) .

Shimano_1 reply :

I don't replace many as I don't do a lot of topwater fishing. When I do I prefer owner stingers. I do replace a lot of jerk bait hooks with these

Bluebasser86 reply :

Owner ST36 or Gamakatsu short shank EWGs depending on the bait.

The Bassman reply :

I'm finding KVD Elite Triple Grips with the barbs smashed down to be the best of both worlds. They hold well and make handling fish so much easier.

smalljaw67 reply :

Owner ST-36 for size #6 hooks because those are usually smaller and a heavier hook could affect the action. Walking baits in the 1/2oz to 3/4oz range get Mustad KVD 1X strong 2X short shank trebles. I like the way EWG style hooks hold when you hook up, I started using them on topwater baits and lipless cranks a good many years ago. I tried them and the number of fish I was landing versus throwing the bait was noticeable. Last year I added VMC Hybrid short 1X treble to a super spook and super spook Jr. and so far I really like them. I have only used those two baits on 5 outings since I put those hooks on but so far they seem great, hook as well as a round bend and so far they seem to hold like the triple grip. I need more time with them but I am buying more over the winter as they seem to be a great alternative to the EWG style.

Big Rick reply :

Just remember that the split ring is just as important as replacing the hook. Owner Hyper Wire Split Rings are far superior to any other brand/type out there. You might as well replace it when you replace the hook. ST-36's for me. And on lighter applications I like the Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Finesse Treble Hook.

ChrisD46 reply :

Agree that split rings are important ; seems like the short shank treble hooks are popular for top water / jerk baits ? To start , my Sexy Dawgs (both sizes) use a #4 treble of unknown origin . My Spook One Knocker uses a #2 size treble of unknown origin . I'd be more inclined to stay with the same size treble hooks but try the shorter shank versions (not entirely sure of the short shank treble hook advantages though ?) ... Concerned going up a hook size may interfere with the walking baits action ?

J Francho reply :

Has anyone really had a split ring fail? And I don't mean a rusty old one, but say split rings on a decent $5-10 bait?

MN Fisher reply :

On 9/26/2019 at 1:02 AM, J Francho said:

Has anyone really had a split ring fail? And I don't mean a rusty old one, but say split rings on a decent $5-10 bait?

I've had hooks straighten out on a JB from a good size pike - but the split ring wasn't even deformed.

ChrisD46 reply :

*On a related topic - what size replacement split rings for treble hooks (i.e. owner hyper wire) do you use ? I'm guessing #2 or #3 size split rings for walking baits using in conjunction #2 and #4 size treble hooks ?

Grim_Reaver reply :

On 9/26/2019 at 1:20 AM, ChrisD46 said:

*On a related topic - what size replacement split rings for treble hooks (i.e. owner hyper wire) do you use ? I'm guessing #2 or #3 size split rings for walking baits using in conjunction #2 and #4 size treble hooks ?

A while back I took a ruler and measured the stock size of split rings on a variety of my hardbaits (topwaters, crankbaits, jerkbaits, etc.). I believe that the universal size I came up with was a #3 for the Owner Hyperwire split rings.

Drew03cmc reply :

On 9/26/2019 at 1:02 AM, J Francho said:

Has anyone really had a split ring fail? And I don't mean a rusty old one, but say split rings on a decent $5-10 bait?

Fail? No. I've had them open up a little bit.

For split rings, I've begun using the Spro Power Split Rings in size 2 and 3. Trebles on topwaters are bait dependent. On the smaller Megabass baits, give me the Outbarbs, including the belly hook on Pop X. Everything else I'll take #4, 6 or 8 ST-36.

ChrisD46 reply :

On 9/26/2019 at 2:09 AM, Marcus Y. said:

A while back I took a ruler and measured the stock size of split rings on a variety of my hardbaits (topwaters, crankbaits, jerkbaits, etc.). I believe that the universal size I came up with was a #3 for the Owner Hyperwire split rings.

Thanks - in my area no Owner Hyper Split Rings but plenty of Spro brand split rings (I believe Spro is a decent brand) ... The Owner Hyper look like they were designed for peacock bass in South Florida !

Big Rick reply :

On 9/26/2019 at 1:02 AM, J Francho said:

Has anyone really had a split ring fail? And I don't mean a rusty old one, but say split rings on a decent $5-10 bait?

This pic shows a failure in my book. This is an Evergreen Shower Blows 105 and comes with decent hardware. However, I did take the time to swap the front out to an ST-36 and Hyperwire split ring. I was too lazy and in too big of a hurry to swap the middle hook. Almost cost me my fish!!

J Francho reply :

Interesting, never seen it myself on just bass. I've seen king salmon and northerns mangle stuff, though.

Harold Scoggins reply :

On 9/24/2019 at 8:06 PM, J Francho said:

Owner ST-36

X2, and don't forget the Black Friday sales coming up.

Big Rick reply :

Slight correction on the split ring failure pic. That is actually a ST-41BC on the SB-105. It's a little bigger bait that needed a bigger hook.

NHBull reply :

I like the 36's, but also like

Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Nano Finesse Treble Hook

A-Jay reply :

On 9/26/2019 at 1:02 AM, J Francho said:

Has anyone really had a split ring fail? And I don't mean a rusty old one, but say split rings on a decent $5-10 bait?

No because I used Owner Hyper Wire ~

But I get it J, and it's not so much the 'failure' as much as durability.

I change trebles quite frequently on the baits I use most (when they are getting bit of course) and stock rings often do not possess the ability to withstand this without 'hanging open' . . . .

Additionally, I find it interesting that for a long time I was very willing to change line quite often, but never trebles & rings.

Then the light went on - fresh line may only really matter when I'm hooked up - -

YMMV

:smiley:

A-Jay

J Francho reply :

I try to buy baits that come with good hooks. I HATE changing trebles. I HATE split rings and split ring pliers. I'll change them out if they feel dull. I rarely see issues with the split rings, unless a pike or something big mutilated them. I have a few sizes for backups. I buy Owner, Spro, even Eagle Claw Razor work well.

Dwight Hottle reply :

On 9/26/2019 at 1:02 AM, J Francho said:

Has anyone really had a split ring fail? And I don't mean a rusty old one, but say split rings on a decent $5-10 bait?

J I have had smallmouth twist a treble out of elongated & mangled stock split rings on quality jerk baits several times. It does happen.

J Francho reply :

I probably have too, when unhooking with pliers. I just don't think it's been enough times for me to take the effort to change out the split rings on all 5,798 jerkbaits in my collection.

A-Jay reply :

On 9/26/2019 at 10:25 PM, J Francho said:

I probably have too, when unhooking with pliers. I just don't think it's been enough times for me to take the effort to change out the split rings on all 5,798 jerkbaits in my collection.

Seems - I actually do have that kind of time . . .

It's called winter.

A-Jay

Big Rick reply :

On 9/27/2019 at 12:53 AM, A-Jay said:

Seems - I actually do have that kind of time . . .

It's called winter.

A-Jay

Me too! It keeps me from going insane waiting on the next time I can actually USE a treble hook.... I pretty much empty my boat, clean it all out, and go thru my tackle as I put it back in the boxes. Often it's quite entertaining when I pull a bait out of a box that I had totally forgotten that I bought....

J Francho reply :

On 9/27/2019 at 12:53 AM, A-Jay said:

Seems - I actually do have that kind of time . . .

It's called winter.

A-Jay

I actually fish all winter for my pet trout.

CountryboyinDC reply :

So everyone seems to recommend the Owner split rings, which are not cheap. Anyone used anything else they liked, SPRO or maybe another one? I've never had one fail from bass fishing, but I have had them pulled into an egg shape. And when you do need to switch out the trebles a lot of the time the split rings get 'sprung', for lack of knowledge of the correct term. I bought some Eagle Claws at Cabelas, and those get sprung while I'm putting the new treble on.

J Francho reply :

Spro and Eagle Claw Lazer have worked fine for me.

A-Jay reply :

On 9/27/2019 at 8:57 PM, CountryboyinDC said:

So everyone seems to recommend the Owner split rings, which are not cheap. Anyone used anything else they liked, SPRO or maybe another one? I've never had one fail from bass fishing, but I have had them pulled into an egg shape. And when you do need to switch out the trebles a lot of the time the split rings get 'sprung', for lack of knowledge of the correct term. I bought some Eagle Claws at Cabelas, and those get sprung while I'm putting the new treble on.

Something else that could also be "not cheap" is purchasing several different brands / packs of less inexpensive split rings, only to finding out they usually have a one and done life span. Been there myself and have offered the Owner product in an attempt to save you the hassle.

A-Jay

Big Rick reply :

On 9/27/2019 at 8:57 PM, CountryboyinDC said:

So everyone seems to recommend the Owner split rings, which are not cheap. Anyone used anything else they liked, SPRO or maybe another one? I've never had one fail from bass fishing, but I have had them pulled into an egg shape. And when you do need to switch out the trebles a lot of the time the split rings get 'sprung', for lack of knowledge of the correct term. I bought some Eagle Claws at Cabelas, and those get sprung while I'm putting the new treble on.

In my experience, Owner Hyper Wire split rings can be used for the life of the bait. I'll replace my trebles 10 to 1 to my split rings once I've installed Hyper Wire's. They really are a "one and done" split ring that is WELL WORTH the additional costs in my book.

CountryboyinDC reply :

Thanks for the responses @J Francho, @A-Jay, and @Big Rick. Sometimes there are things that just pain me to pay what they cost, and dollar apiece split rings are one of them. I guess I should just go ahead and get a good supply of Owners. Then I'll probably throw every one of the plugs I've put them on in a tree on the first cast with the $3 worth of trebles, knowing my luck.

zell_pop1 reply :

I use Spro split rings and KVD Mustad trebles or Gammys in odd sizes .

primetime reply :

I buy saltwater grade split rings which I think are Tsunami and have also purchased the Spro and Eagle Claw Lazers and Mustads and not had any issues. If the rings are good enough for landing Tarpon, Stripers, and Redfish, I figure they will hold up for Bass fishing.

For Trebles I buy Round Bends, and I usually buy what is on sale from VMC, Mustad Triple Grips, Xcalibur rotating, but the VMC trebles have been good.

Alot of the good topwater lures on the market come with good hooks and rings except maybe some of the Heddon and Rebel lures like the Popper which has a really thin wire hook which is only good on light line. I always replace the front hook with something 2x-3x strong.

I don't like changing trebles on topwater unless I have to, baits from BPS always have cheap hooks I don't trust but sometimes it changes the action or how the lure sits....Instead of going up in size, I will go to a thicker hook since I usually throw topwater lures like Poppers on heavier line then designed.

One thing I have learned is that not all silver stock hooks that come on the old school lures are cheap. Sometimes when a lure has thin guage hooks, its because the lure is designed for lighter line situations.

NorthernBasser reply :

It's really too bad some of these baits, that are already pricey enough, don't come with quality hooks/hardware.

ChrisD46 reply :

Interested to read that you always want to use as small a split ring as possible on the nose of a walking bait - where none is supplied you may be better off using a small VMC #0 crank bait snap or tie direct. . For the hook split rings you want to match the existing lure size split rings closely to keep the lure working properly for top water .

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Top Water Replacement Treble Hooks ? 2024

Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Nano Finesse Treble Hook

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