Upgrade treble hooks??? 2025

jjconnaire reply :

Does everyone upgrade their treble hooks? I believe rapala uses VMC hooks and They are nice. I'm not sure what strike king uses but they seem ok however I just purchased Owner Stinger Treble Hooks (ST-36) in sizes 2, 4, 6 and they make all other hooks seem dull. I'd love to upgrade all my baits but realistically I'm not going to upgrade any baits that have brand new VMcs on them. would the owners outperform my vmcs?

alzun664 reply :

I only upgrade hooks if they have lower quality than VMCs (ex. zara spook). If the lure already comes with VMCs (rapala) or Mustads (rat l trap/flicker shad) I'll leave those on. The only other time I would change the hooks is if I want a different style than what they come equipped with.

Jigfishn10 reply :

I honestly think that a few years ago there was one hook better than the next, but for me, I think the playing fields leveled out. I personally like Gammy, Owner, VMC and Eagle Claw. When I do have to change out treble hooks because of use, I have a stash of Daiichi Death Traps that I bought a few years back and have been using them up. Still like em even though they fell off the favorite band wagon with most peeps.

1234567 reply :

I agree with above post. I used to only fish owner st-41 on my cranks. Now I will also use gamakatsu short shanks and triple grips xtra strong.

scaleface reply :

If I was a pro tournament fisherman I would upgrade my trebles . Most lures today come with a hook good enough for me . A lot of the old baits had terrible hooks . I even have some made out of aluminum . i only upgrade on old lures or hooks that are damaged .

ww2farmer reply :

I love Strike King hard baits, but their stock hooks STINK. Everyone I buy gets changed before it even gets wet. I don't know if I would rather have SK charge $2 more per bait, or just leave them at the current price with crappy hooks. Even with a hook upgrade though, they are still pretty economical.

buzzed bait reply :

like most above i'm only changing them if they're poor quality hooks. lots of good hooks available and usually always one of them on sale.

Jrob78 reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 11:32 AM, ww2farmer said:

I love Strike King hard baits, but their stock hooks STINK. Everyone I buy gets changed before it even gets wet. I don't know if I would rather have SK charge $2 more per bait, or just leave them at the current price with crappy hooks. Even with a hook upgrade though, they are still pretty economical.

I've often wished companies would sell baits cheaper and not put any hooks on them.

ww2farmer reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 1:02 PM, Jrob78 said:

I've often wished companies would sell baits cheaper and not put any hooks on them.

I'd like that option as well

Brocephus Fishing reply :

On 1/16/2016 at 1:02 PM, Jrob78 said:

I've often wished companies would sell baits cheaper and not put any hooks on them.

Either that or put excellent quality hooks on them from the get go and charge a little more. Either way = life made more easy for the fisherman.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I change most of mine out to either Owner or Eagle Claw. The few Berkley baits that I have with their new Fusion hooks are very impressive so far. They've been sticky sharp and held up to abuse very well.

Sam reply :

JJ, look at the treble hooks on your baits. Do you see how small they are?

Although there are three they are still small.

So we need the sharpest treble hooks on the market to make sure they stick to the fish's mouth when we set the hook.

Guys and gals on this site have always said to change out the manufacturer's treble hooks with VMC's or others that are sharper.

It is up to you if you want to do this. Now, many of the manufacturer's hooks are sharp and do not need to be replaced.

It boils down to confidence. Whatever gives you more confidence that the crankbait or topwater will not come unbuttoned with the treble hooks on your baits is what you need to do.

BassinLou reply :

I just recently got into throwing treble hook baits again after a long hiatus. Picked up a few newer crankbaits recently, and the first thing I did was change out the stock hooks with Mustad triple grips. Stock hooks I have learned, are very pliable, leading to hooks bending out and pulling loose. These Mustad triple grips are very sharp tough looking hooks.

A-Jay reply :

With the exception of suspending & / or balance critical lures, the stock hooks are replaced right out of the package with Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble Hooks. I believe it makes a discernable positive difference in both my hook up & landing success with crankbaits.

This includes but it not limited to Top waters, Shallow, Mid & deep diving baits, Lippless lures and even Blade baits & spoons.

And btw - It may not payoff to hang a better quality hook onto a stock (bogus) split ring. The Owner Hyper Wire Split Rings have proven themselves to me over & over as a top quality product by getting it done.

And don't forget the front lie tie ring as well. The Worth Company X2 Oval Split Rings are X2 Oval Power Rings are 50% stronger than similar fine sized round split rings. Their unique oval design is also self-centering to keep the “split” at the side. These rings are made from a unique magnesium alloy, which is stronger than stainless steel, and are finished with a military-grade zinc plating.

Every Double Digit fish I've landed on a crank bait has had these hooks & split rings.

A-Jay

OkobojiEagle reply :

I don't often change the hooks, but usually I file the barbs off.

WRB reply :

Today's higher end crankbaits have good hooks, it's the med range price point lures that usually have lower quality hooks that should be upgraded.

VMC was the major supplier of treble hooks for most makes of crankbaits, followed by Mustad, they both supplied what the lure mfr requested.

When I change a crankbait treble hook the front hook is usually 1 size larger, the rear hook the same size and use premium treble hooks because they are difficult to re sharpen.

Tom

the reel ess reply :

I don't change any hooks. Being the cheapskate that I am, there are other ways to improve my catch ratio.

But I love Gamakatsu and VMC in that order.

BassinLou reply :

On 1/19/2016 at 12:57 AM, the reel ess said:

I don't change any hooks. Being the cheapskate that I am, there are other ways to improve my catch ratio.

But I love Gamakatsu and VMC in that order.

I am all for saving $$, and when it comes to trebles, spending a little bit more $$ on quality hooks will prevent future heartache. Those stock hooks will fail when you need them the most. There aren't too many ways to improve catch ratios when bad hooks were your culprit the whole time. Just my humble opinion.

the reel ess reply :

On 1/19/2016 at 2:09 AM, BassinLou said:

I am all for saving $$, and when it comes to trebles, spending a little bit more $$ on quality hooks will prevent future heartache. Those stock hooks will fail when you need them the most. There aren't too many ways to improve catch ratios when bad hooks were your culprit the whole time. Just my humble opinion.

Easing up on the drag. Using braid, but on a med action spinning combo helps. And I try to buy baits with good hooks on them. Buying baits with cheap hooks to save a buck, only to have to replace them, would negate savings. But I haven't found the bait I normally use that NEEDS new hooks.

Bankbeater reply :

I rarely change them unless they are low grade. I always take a file to them no matter what. It never hurts to make sure the hooks are sharp.

MountainMan83 reply :

I've had to change the trebles out on my shadow raps. The stock hooks bend way too easily.

PAGreg reply :

I've spent a few hours this winter changing out trebles on brand new lures straight out of the package. If you decide to do this there's two things that will make your life easier:

1. A good set of split ring pliers. Not rapala or berkley deals. I've found most "fishing" split ring pliers are too big. I bought a quality set off of amazon that is used for jewelry. Much finer point for those tiny split rings.

2. Buy hooks in bulk off of ebay. I'm buying them in 50 hook lots and its much cheaper.

Scarborough817 reply :

changed out most of the hooks on my sk cranks yesterday to vmc barbarians just need to get a couple more sizes so i can finish and do a couple jerkbaits

smalljaw67 reply :

Almost every hook today is chemically sharpened so it is hard for one hook to be sharper than another. The difference people feel is the point, and there are basically 2 different points and both have pros and cons. VMC has the cone cut point, Mustad has the ultra point, and Eagle Claw has the needle point, these are all the same type of point, they act like a spear tip or awl, the point penetrates and then the bend of the hook holds. The you have Owner, Gamakats, and Trokar which have cutting points, these are like broad heads on an arrow, the tip is sharp but the edges are also sharp. Cutting point hooks are often thought of as being sharper but the truth is they just have a larger area of sharpness but that doesn't make it the best. I will replace hooks on baits based on a few things, like strength, hooks get a bad rap, especially on jerkbaits but the truth is we use heavier tactics than what the bait was designed for and that is usually the reason a hook bends. Now, Strike King hooks are sharp, but they bend easily and on a crankbait they could put a stronger hook on, crankbaits aren't as weight sensitive as a jerkbait or topwater. For my treble hooks, I prefer cutting points on some baits and needle points on others, baits that get swiped at I like using a treble with a round bend because they have a better hooking percentage, baits that get sucked in deep more often I like the EWG style as that style holds fish better. So I try to replace my hooks with the one I think will work the best.

Tucson reply :

Anyone remember that awful hook on the Johnson Silver Minnow? That was a lure that screamed for an upgrade but it was soldered on.

Jigfishn10 reply :

On 1/21/2016 at 4:00 AM, smalljaw67 said:

Almost every hook today is chemically sharpened so it is hard for one hook to be sharper than another. The difference people feel is the point, and there are basically 2 different points and both have pros and cons. VMC has the cone cut point, Mustad has the ultra point, and Eagle Claw has the needle point, these are all the same type of point, they act like a spear tip or awl, the point penetrates and then the bend of the hook holds. The you have Owner, Gamakats, and Trokar which have cutting points, these are like broad heads on an arrow, the tip is sharp but the edges are also sharp. Cutting point hooks are often thought of as being sharper but the truth is they just have a larger area of sharpness but that doesn't make it the best. I will replace hooks on baits based on a few things, like strength, hooks get a bad rap, especially on jerkbaits but the truth is we use heavier tactics than what the bait was designed for and that is usually the reason a hook bends. Now, Strike King hooks are sharp, but they bend easily and on a crankbait they could put a stronger hook on, crankbaits aren't as weight sensitive as a jerkbait or topwater. For my treble hooks, I prefer cutting points on some baits and needle points on others, baits that get swiped at I like using a treble with a round bend because they have a better hooking percentage, baits that get sucked in deep more often I like the EWG style as that style holds fish better. So I try to replace my hooks with the one I think will work the best.

Great info right there...Great post smalljaw67, thanks for the tips.

Fishinthefish reply :

I usually upgrade all of my trebles to mustard hooks. Especially for salmon fishing.

the reel ess reply :

On 1/24/2016 at 3:11 AM, Tucson said:

Anyone remember that awful hook on the Johnson Silver Minnow? That was a lure that screamed for an upgrade but it was soldered on.

I have one, I've caught two flounder on it. I missed a bass in a grassy pond I fish.

S. Sass reply :

I was just going through my hard baits. Getting to my lipless crankbaits I decided some new hooks are in order. I debated and watched different videos on ideas to help and decided to go with VMC Barbarian Treble #6 (Tin Red) up front and VMC Barbarian Treble #4 (Black Nickel) on the back of most of my lipless crankbaits. Almost all my baits are 3" 5/8 oz and up.

Honestly unless the hook literally looked like junk I never replaced one from the factory while the bait was new. Of course we didn't have ebay selling aluminum hooks on baits from China either. So I did a little research on all these "new" and improved hook designs. I doubt I got the best but maybe they will work for a guy fishing for fun.

Thanks for all the interesting reading and tips in this thread.

8620

Upgrade treble hooks??? 2025

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