Upgrading hooks on my crankbaits and rattletraps.

What size do you all recommend I upgrade to?

depends a lot on the size of the bait really....like on a Bandit 100&200 i use a #6 on a LC 2.5 i use a #4 and on a DD22 i think they are #2....i am a Gammi guy and thats all i put on mine if i have to change them out....some baits like the Bandits i always change the hooks out the Lucky Craft baits i dont touch unless they are rusted badly or bent or broke the hooks on those baits are very good

OWNER ST-41

I usually change them out for the same size... but you could go up one size if you wanted to. It may change the action of the bait for better or worse. Maybe someone else can elaborate on that.

Thanks fellas!

10-4 on the Gammys, I upgrade all my crankbait hooks to them and on rattletraps you want to use the EWG triple grips to cut down on loosing fish on a trap. They usually don't get off with that hook. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif

I dont change the size of my hooks on the cranks. I try to buy whatever size they came with. I do however love those sure set hooks from VNC. I think that's an incredible design and idea. I'm working on putting them on all of my cranks.

I think crankbait manufacturers should strike a deal with some of the better hook companies and provide quality hooks on their baits right off the bat. Sure, we'd have to pay a bit more, but I think it'd be worth it.

How do you change the hooks? I'm a rookie at bass fishing and could use some info on this.

Get a pair of split-ring pliers and take the treble hooks off. You use the split-ring pliers like you would use your finger nails when putting new keys on a key ring. If your being doesn't have split rings holding the hooks on, they you ought to add some split-rings to the bait.

i like the VMC outbarb pretty well, also seconds on the rattletrap with the triple grip. finally the rat-l-trap got a hook makeover this year so i may give them a chance.

who provides lucky craft's hooks?

I change all my treble hooks out for gamakatsu's.....bandits 200-300 and bomber 6A/7A all get #4's on front and back, same with traps 4's on 1/4 and 1/2 ounce.

Mustad Tripple Grips....

unless you want to change the action/fall, same size you are taking off in a mustad triple grip. those are some great trebles imo

Upgrading one size doesn't change action at all.........unless the action is a higher percentage of hookups........moving baits, especially rattle traps....take that tiny hook off the back and replace it with a # 4 or # 5 gamakatsu, hook up rates will go up and you won't notice any change in the baits action.

Gamakatsu EWG treble hooks are all I ever use and I always replace the stock hooks on Rat-L-Traps. With 1/2 ounce 'traps, which is about all I ever throw, I go up from their stock #4 to a #2 hook on the front and from a #6 to a #4 on the rear. The difference in the catch ratio with the bigger hooks is unbelievable. I never have been able to figure out why such a good lure comes with such crappy hooks!

I normally try to go up one size on regular crankbaits whenever possible, too. Sometimes with the smaller crankbaits you just can't because the hooks get tangled on the cast and/or retrieve.