Don't Scrimp On Hooks

[slinkymalinky]

A long time ago I learned the importance of making sure my hooks are always up to the task.

Unfortunately it's easy to get lazy or overlook this 'little detail' and the other day it cost me a fish I've been chasing for a while so its prompted me to write a little reminder for anyone else who gets too cocky, or anyone who thinks cheap hooks are ok.

I've been chasing a Tweed Jack for a while and frustratingly lost a couple already. After a long, unproductive morning with Jewhunter yesterday, in less than ideal conditions, I finally got a solid hook-up from a Jack on a Gold Bomber. My tussle with the Jack lasted maybe 5 seconds before I got my lure back with a straightened rear treble.

The fish was only about 40-45cm. I'd replaced the crap bronze hooks originally supplied on the lure a long time ago but only with 2x strong, chemically sharpened VMCs... thinking about big Flathead.

I was only fishing 10lb braid so I didn't straighten the hook with too much drag... that's just how much power Jacks have just in their jaws.

Today I've gone through all my Jack lures and replaced all the rings with good quality Decoys and all the hooks with 6x strong VMCs (I'd have used Owners if I had some handy).

Changing trebles on lures might seem like a waste of money, as might paying for good quality chemically sharpened hooks for any kind of fishing. But think about how much you've spent on gear, bait, travel, fuel and everything else and it makes losing a good fish heartbreaking if it's because you saved just a few cents on a hook.

A word to the wise... work out what's the best hook to use for whatever fishing you're doing... and if you really want to catch that fish, buy em.

This now sits on my workbench as a permanent reminder of what I already know and should never have forgotten.

Cheers, Slinky

[arpie]

Bummer, Tony, I feel for you - tho that hooks LOOKS like it should have been OK!!!

I've just replaced a lot of my lure hooks with Owners ..... hope I come up with the goods!!

Roberta

Better luck next outing!

[slinkymalinky]

Bummer, Tony, I feel for you - tho that hooks LOOKS like it should have been OK!!!

I've just replaced a lot of my lure hooks with Owners ..... hope I come up with the goods!!

Roberta

Better luck next outing!

The 'should be ok' trap was what got me this time. The close up photo makes the hook look a lot more sturdy than it really is. 'Never underestimate an angry Jack' is my New Years resolution.

Good policy sticking with Owners... I haven't had one fail yet.

Cheers, Slinky

[sanger]

Hey slinky,

We straightened the hook on a small black marlin and also a large mackrell or wahoo up in brisbane recently.

Only thing was i had replaced the hooks on my rapalas with what i thought were good quality owner hooks.... after straightening a few i went back to the origionals that came with the lure and didn't have a problem!

Im sure for the class of fish we get in sydney for kings and under these hooks would be great but for anything bigger in the future owner Trebles are not coming near my lures. That being said i know the usual target for marlin is definitely not trebles but still we didd get one to the boat with an xwrap and treble.

[GregL]

To right Slink and bad luck on the jack but these things make the catches even better in the end.

I have a storage box of lures on my balcony at the moment and every time I go for a smoke I have to remove the hooks and rings off a lure.

Most now don't have anything on them and I wack a set on as I use them. This way they only will ever have the best hooks on possible and always only a maximum 1 trip old. I always throw the set I have used for the day when I get home. Makes them easier to store and take with you and never get tangled or scratched up from the trebbles.

Now I just take a pencil case with lures and a couple of boxes of trebbles and a set of split ring plyers. Takes 1 min to wack a set of hooks on.

G