Crankbait replacement hooks?

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Scott D.
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Crankbait replacement hooks?

Post by Scott D. »

I want to get some opinions on this. I have been swapping out hooks on all my crankbaits for years with EWG's. I guess I'm just in the habit now. I always swap out the hooks on my cranks like Bill Norman's, Luhr Jensen, but, what do you guys think of the stock hooks on Luckycraft cranks and some of the other high end biats? They are really sharp, and I know there is a school of guys out there that feel like round bend hooks hold fish better than EWG's. I know that sometimes if I replace both hooks with the same size hooks in the EWG's, somtimes the hooks catch eachother on the cast, and that can't be good if they get bit on that cast. I'll put a smaller hook at the rear to solve that. Anyway, let's get some thought process going on this. I would like to hear what works for you guys. Thanks in advance.
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Burke
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Re: Crankbait replacement hooks?

Post by Burke »

I replace the stock hooks on my crank baits with Owner 4x hooks since I never know what kind of fish I'll run into when I fish the Delta. I've caught a lot of stripers and salmon (largest 23 lbs) while cranking a Rat L Trap for bass.

I also swap out the split rings (I use an oval split ring for the top of the lure).

I haven't lost a fish to due split ring or hook failure since I've done it. I tried using EWG hooks, but ran into the same problems that you did.
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Fishin' Dave
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Re: Crankbait replacement hooks?

Post by Fishin' Dave »

Try the Eagle Claw razor sharp hooks. They are so sharp, they feel sticky! I like the excalbur rotating hooks too. Not many guys do but that twist has served me well. I'm also the weirdo who likes stock speed trap hooks so go figure.
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Riplip
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Re: Crankbait replacement hooks?

Post by Riplip »

Any time you switch to a different style, size or weight of hook it will affect the bait's action. Sometimes it can improve the action and hooking performance, sometimes the opposite occurs. Take, for instance, a DD-22... I would suggest round bend hooks v.s. EWG because it requires much more force to impale an EWG hook when your bait is running that deep. On a Speedtrap I would stick to EWG to improve weedlessness and hooking power. Once you get an EWG stuck...pliers! If you upsize the hooks on a Spook, you need to remove the middle hook to keep them from fouling...etc

Hope this helps, Rip
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Jerkbait0071
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Re: Crankbait replacement hooks?

Post by Jerkbait0071 »

Scott,

To answer your question about Lucky Craft lures. I would not even bother replacing the hooks on Lucky Craft lures they already have a high grade hook on them. As far as any other brand I would most definitely replace the hooks with the same size hooks the come with. If you start to change the hook size you can kill the action of the lure. Most of the lures now that you buy are balanced for the size of hooks they come with. In my “opinionâ€
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Marc
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Re: Crankbait replacement hooks?

Post by Marc »

Scott,

I am on the Lucky Craft prostaff, and also the Gamakatsu prostaff. I have seriously pondered this question many times over several years, and there is on one answer that applies in all situations.

In my own experience, I am convinced that anytime I can successfully use an EWG Treble, it is to my advantage. EWG's have their point in line with the direction of pull, so they do in fact penetrate deeper and keep a hooked fish impaled until it is landed. The downside is that they don't yet come in odd sizes which are used by some lures (like LC jerkbaits).

I also feel that a round bend does provide quicker point penetration which is NOT to be confused with deeper point penetration.

Consequently, I prefer Gamakatsu round bends in odd sizes for my LuckyCraft jerkbaits, and my topwaters. For almost every single crankbait (of all brands) I prefer EWG trebles.

Although LC hooks are sharp, they are not as sharp as Gammies, and the smaller barb on the Gammies also allows deeper penetration and better holding while playing a fish. The difference is small, but the distinction is important in tournament fishing.
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Kevin Evans - Kap
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Re: Crankbait replacement hooks?

Post by Kevin Evans - Kap »

Great insight Marc... :)
Great stuff, Thanx..

Kap
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