Replacement crankbait treble hooks

[rnvinc]

Let's discuss changing crankbait treble hooks....

What size hook for what size crank...??

What size split ring ...?? (if you replace it)...

What about light wire split rings to release the hook instead of loosing the crank...??
Fine Gauge Split Rings | Bulk Split Rings | Worth Split & Key Rings

Where's your hook supplier...??

Ever heard of this one...??
Captain Hook's Discount Warehouse

What are you paying now for replacement hooks...??

Rickie

[wicklundrh]

I use Captain Hook's all the time when ordering hooks for making jigs. They have good prices when I buy in bulk.

Rule of thumb for me is to replace the hook with an equal size hook... exception is when the bait is the right size for the target fish yet the hook seems to big.
I only replace split rings when they give me trouble or are bent or mis shaped.

Never thought of using light wire rings but, most of my cranks are used for Salmon on the river so light wire wouldn't work.
I prefer good stainless steel hooks. You pay more for them but they seem to be more durable than others. For me they seem to sharpen better. Again, keep in mind that we are talking salmon and steelhead river baits and lake Michigan baits here.

I'm just getting into pulling cranks for crappie so I can't comment much on the hooks and such as of yet.

[M R Dux]

I use #4 on the C55 sized cranks even though the hooks can tangle. One #4 and one #6 will eliminate that. On Bandit sized baits I use #6 hooks. I try to use all red hooks and I use sickle Matzuo trebles when I can find them.

I've used the release rings but they are way too expensive for my taste. When I went to 12 pound Trilene Big Game solar mono I dropped my lost bait % way down.

Never ordered from Capt. Hook's.

[bfish]

I use mostly #4 and #6. Replace with similar (long with long and short with short). Only replace split rings when need be. I have used them all (VMC, Owner, Eagle Claw, Mustad, Gamakatsu, etc) and for my preference (short shank wide bend), I like the cost and performance of Daiichi tinned hooks at around $0.29 each (bought in 100-pack).

[jimp]

I usually take the front treble off to eliminate the tangles and having to deal with the fish being hooked inside and outside the mouth, and replace with red and same size.

[rnvinc]

When the crank is hung up...with the boat moving ...

Does locking the reel down and pulling the crank free break the hook or the split ring...??

Or is it simply lose the crank vs come completely unhung...??

Rickie

[Crestliner08]

Have you given any thought to replacing the trebles with single hooks? A "Siwash" of one size larger than the treble you are using should work just fine. Many Canadians do this now. I'm planning on trying it on some blade baits (Silver Buddies) this month. Safer for the angler and the fish.

[Clint]

I have never put a single hook on a crankbait but do on spoons. While stationed in New England one of the locals showed me how to troll with spoons. A single long shank hook rigged to ride up-right when trolled. Sometimes tipped with a large curly-tail, sometimes with nothing. I still do it here but only when moving from one spot to another. A 2-1/2" silver spoon trolled slowly will elicit horrendous strikes. But the fish is seldom releasable when caught this way, as they take it very deep.

[wilbur]

When the crank is hung up...with the boat moving ...

Does locking the reel down and pulling the crank free break the hook or the split ring...??

Or is it simply lose the crank vs come completely unhung...??

Rickie

I have found you have a 60/40 chance of getting the bait back. That's with 30# power pro. I have never broken a hook or split ring.

[rnvinc]

I have found you have a 60/40 chance of getting the bait back. That's with 30# power pro. I have never broken a hook or split ring.

This was the reasoning for my thought of using a finer wire split ring (not the expensive rebendable ones)...
Fine Gauge Split Rings | Bulk Split Rings | Worth Split & Key Rings

If the split ring gave before the crank broke off...you would just have to replace the split ring and the treble...

I would think a split ring and treble replacement would be much cheaper than losing the entire crank..

Rickie