Recommend replacement hooks for Zara Spook

[VH5150]

Recommend replacement hooks for Zara Spook

Thanks

[krindgen]

Me good ol' Gamakatsu round bends in #2.

[VH5150]

Thanks

[JohnD.]

Owner st-36. Gamakatsu ain't what they used to be imho.

[krindgen]

Owner st-36. Gamakatsu ain't what they used to be imho.

I know they bend, but they are sticky.

[John Jackson]

I prefer the owner ST-35, and mount the single hook forward. This eliminates eating the side of the spook up. (150* spread vs 120* spread)

[RFeyoMN]

Owner Stinger 3X...and forget your hook worries!

[DMart1]

Size 1 EWG. Don't mess around..

[1GThompson]

Owner STX-45 Zo wire. Stickiest 2x strong treble I’ve found

[DrewFlu33]

The Owner ST-36 are the ones I've had a lot of luck with, so agree with those suggestions. I go size 2 with them. Several different options from Owner that I'm sure are all good. For me it's a matter of buying the *needle* point, and not the cutting point. I swear the cutting point "cuts" a bigger hole in the fish's mouth and causes you to lose fish. The ST-35 is similar, but with a wider gap and shorter shank. I've not tried it on a Spook, but would probably go size 1 if I did. I know that Owner has newer "Zo-wire" versions of the above models that are probably even better, so maybe worth checking out those suggestions as well. If you're thinking economy, I've had pretty good luck with size 1 KVD Triple Grips. You'll maybe miss a few more fish than with the ST-36, but you land them if you stick them.

As always, I think the tradeoff you have to consider with any treble hook is between hooking percentage and landing percentage. The wide gap short shank hooks won't hook them as often, but will land them more often. The longer shanked hooks are more likely to stick them, but more likely to lose them. I generally like the longer shanked hooks on topwaters to make sure to stick the fish that slap at it, but have had good luck by upsizing the shorter shanks. If the fish are "eating" it good, you're probably better with the short shanks.

[DaveBrabec]

Size 1 on the front and back and smaller on middle hook or leave off

[John Jackson]

The Owner ST-36 are the ones I've had a lot of luck with, so agree with those suggestions. I go size 2 with them. Several different options from Owner that I'm sure are all good. For me it's a matter of buying the *needle* point, and not the cutting point. I swear the cutting point "cuts" a bigger hole in the fish's mouth and causes you to lose fish. The ST-35 is similar, but with a wider gap and shorter shank. I've not tried it on a Spook, but would probably go size 1 if I did. I know that Owner has newer "Zo-wire" versions of the above models that are probably even better, so maybe worth checking out those suggestions as well. If you're thinking economy, I've had pretty good luck with size 1 KVD Triple Grips. You'll maybe miss a few more fish than with the ST-36, but you land them if you stick them.

As always, I think the tradeoff you have to consider with any treble hook is between hooking percentage and landing percentage. The wide gap short shank hooks won't hook them as often, but will land them more often. The longer shanked hooks are more likely to stick them, but more likely to lose them. I generally like the longer shanked hooks on topwaters to make sure to stick the fish that slap at it, but have had good luck by upsizing the shorter shanks. If the fish are "eating" it good, you're probably better with the short shanks.

You can drop the ST-35 down to the ST-36 level using the oval split rings. I do that on some of mine.

[DrewFlu33]

You can drop the ST-35 down to the ST-36 level using the oval split rings. I do that on some of mine.

Good idea! Reminds me of something I've done that's related to that: I've had some luck putting 2 or 3 split rings on the rear hook when fishing them over open water for smallmouth to get the hook to hang down further and hook them when they nip at it. It works awesome for that, and I think helps with them getting the ring bound up and using it as leverage to throw the bait. Only problem is it needs to remain an open water bait after that, learned that the hard way when I picked one I had done that to up and tried to work it over a submerged grass flat.

I've also heard of folks using braid in place of split rings for similar reasons related to the bind. I've been meaning to try it but never got around to it. I guess you could do that to get the hooks to hang a bit lower as well!

[VH5150]

Awesome feedback, Thanks

[Phrog Phil]

My first response is “Any”,but after thinking I mostly use the Owner Stingers.

[Mr.Bass]

Any good quality. size 2 treble hook
make sure to use a split ring on the hook hanger for the treble

I use the old Excalibur hooks with the rotating hooks

[Phrog Phil]

I have used the Excalibur rotating in the past.

[bbbill]

Pricey, but all my TWs get Diachi Death Grips. Thin wire, reg shank, sharper than sharp.

[DrewFlu33]

Pricey, but all my TWs get Diachi Death Grips. Thin wire, reg shank, sharper than sharp.

I used to use the hell out of Daiichi hooks, then they completely wiped out their lineup. They were always crazy sharp, even compared to other premium hooks. Seems like like they've just about given up on the bass scene and decided to focus on fly fishing instead. Didn't know they had their trebles still!

[Upstate Gamecock]

Me good ol' Gamakatsu round bends in #2.

This .