changing out hooks on rattle traps

[chunknwind]

I'm planning on changing out the original hooks that come on the Bill Lewis rattle traps that I have. I've heard from a couple of different people that these hooks have actually cost them big fish by breaking off. I was wondering if you all had any suggestions on hook brands, sizes, split rings, and most importantly how to change them out without losing my religion.

[DaveR]

Any #2 or #4 hook that you can buy is better than what Lewis puts on there. I change both hooks to a VMC or Gamakatsu treble size depending if I'm fishing in alot of cover or not. Front hook size is about right just not good wire. You will get snags with a #2, but can get it loose most times, If you get a 5lb bass biting, you will get it in if you play it right. Most important thing I've found is to keep hooks sharp and play the fish out.

[Lee]

Hank Parker is not sponsored by Mustad but swears by their Triple Grip treble hooks. So I put them on some traps and bayou boogies and they improved my catch rate considerably. David Fritz says to put the same size hook on the front and one size smaller on the back hook. He doesn't know why it works but my experience is that it does work..again ... improved landing rate. Upshot is I replace all crank bait hooks with Triple Grips and have been for a number of years.

[DJD]

I have been using both Gamakatsu and Triple Grip with good results. Even though you change the hooks to a high quality one remember to check them on a regular basis as well.

[Col Forbin]

Gam's EWG treble #4 on all of my traps. I love them. The stick in my fingers often, so I guess they are sharp. I have lost few fish since I started changing all of my hooks to the gamakatsu's. I change all my hooks on baits with treble hooks as soon as I open them. There are a few company's that I like their hooks (Lucky craft, megabass are awesome - but the rest I change). I swear, a bandit with new Gama hooks is every bit as good as a high dollar crankbait (I just won a club tournament today with that combo).

[MsgMills]

Been fishing Tournaments for over 26 years and have never changed the Hooks a Rat-L-Trap. Never had one brake off the hooks and if they come unbuttoned on the way to the boat, then it was meant to be. Not one single thing I could have done different to prevent it from happening.

[Col Forbin]

Been fishing Tournaments for over 26 years and have never changed the Hooks a Rat-L-Trap. Never had one brake off the hooks and if they come unbuttoned on the way to the boat, then it was meant to be. Not one single thing I could have done different to prevent it from happening.

I've never had a hook break either when using standard hooks. However, those rattle trap hooks that come on those lures get pretty dull, pretty quick. They are not the sharpest to begin with. I know you will have alot fewer come "unbuttoned" with higher quality hook - I just started changing all my hooks a couple of years ago, and can tell a huge difference. It is only about a 50 - 75 cent upgrade per lure, and takes less than a minute per lure to change out.

[kyshorthair]

I use hemostats to change treble hooks out. Give it a try and see if it helps you out.

[chunknwind]

Thanks to those who responded(good tips). Is there a trick to using the split ring tool? I tried some last night and kept bending up the split rings.

[chunknwind]

I guess I will try the hemostats next.

[Col Forbin]

I guess I will try the hemostats next.

I use my fingernail to get it started. When you get the split ring over the old hook eye, slip the new hook in right behind it, when you go around the split ring, your old hook will fall off and the new one will be on.

[smljaw]

Let me tell you about one particular bass I caught on a 3/4 oz Trap...

Lake El Salto, July 2005... My dad and I are spanking some nice fish back in the back of a cove. I'm throwing a 3/4 oz trap and he's throwing a big swimbait. The Trap is outcatching the swimbait 5 to 1 but my old man won't switch up. I stick a 4 pounder. As I'm bringing her toward the boat, she makes a big pull and comes off. I swing my bait in to the boat and see that the fish ripped the front hook off my bait. I take a big, sharp hook off of a crankbait and put it on the front of my Trap and keep fishing.

We drift out of the cove and I'm fan casting like mad. I make a cast into the middle of the cove and slow roll it a little bit deeper. I get hammered and stick a good one. She jumps and shakes her head and I can't believe it. When the guide puts the net on this bass I know it's the biggest fish I've ever caught. My scales read 11.2. After photographs and my heart rate goes back down I successfully make the release.

Here's the kicker... The big hook on the front of the bait was not in her mouth at all. I brought that fish into the net with the small hook on the tail of the bait (it was the original hook. I never changed it out for a better, sharper hook...). What are the odds???