Here's What Big Stripers do to your Hooks

[Yak Fish]

Over the years I've collected some of my favorite banged up lures, including one from a fish that broke a set right next to the kayak this month.
This video shows the lessons learned and a couple of options for you so you don't lose that trophy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZVg...attistaFishing

[Slobber Bob]

I totally agree with you on the choice of VMC 4X when upgrading the hooks. I don't really target the huge stripers like you do (not that I don't mind if one decides to eat my offering), but 35"+ bluefish in the past were enough to show me that swapping out hardware on new plugs is almost always required.

I don't know if it matters as much to you fishing in the upper bay compared to where I'm at on the coast, but in my experience the Coastal Black finish VMC offers is much more resistant to rusting then the Steel finish you showed in the video.

And I didn't see it in your video, but what type of split rings are you upgrading with?

[Yak Fish]

I don't have issues with rusting on the VMCs, but I do with the Gamkatsu if I'm not careful and put them away wet. I've not experienced split ring failures, so in most cases the ones that come with these lures are ok. Smaller lures have much smaller rings and those would definitely need replacing. I do have a package of split rings, but I can't remember where I got them, probably Lurepartsonline.com. I think they came in a package of 100, so I've had them awhile :-)

[Slobber Bob]

I'm surprised to hear you say that you are running the stock split rings on your bigger plugs. I've had SP minnow and Bomber stock rings both fail or get totally mangled. I make sure to replace rings whenever I replace hooks anymore.

Although the rings that are coming with your lures must be decent if the through wire is pulling out without the split ring failing first.

Thanks for the information.

[Yak Fish]

On the SP Minnow, yes I did actually change those out. Those are kind of frail.
The others I left stock. And you're right, the rest of the lure failed first.
I reserve the right to change my opinion the first time I lose a fish to a split ring failure

[ronaultmtd]

I swap out all treble hooks on hard baits- period. The bigger single hook on new VMC Split rings have much stronger holding than the trebles...the design of the treble allows a fish to have more leverage to bend and break than it does with a single hook.

[Yak Fish]

I swap out all treble hooks on hard baits- period. The bigger single hook on new VMC Split rings have much stronger holding than the trebles...the design of the treble allows a fish to have more leverage to bend and break than it does with a single hook.

I 100% agree. I feel way more confident with a single hook's retention over a treble. However, I haven't convinced myself the hookup ratio is the same...maybe it's better for all I know.