replacing hooks on cranks

[byron]

Started using braids and have read from others and have noticed myself that the stock hooks on rapalas tend to bend and straighten out when a large fish is on. Some say to use triple grip hooks or the like but to replace the hooks on 25+ cranks will be a little expensive plus I will end up with a lot of extra treble hooks. I thought that since most fish aim for the head, to only switch this hook out. Any one have any imput or opinions on this????? thanks

[stewart]

When a walleye's agressive he'll take the crank with a hard swipe like you suggest, but when a walleye isn't agressive he'll often follow the crank and just nip at the back end.

I'm in the same situation you are, and I think I'm just going to take the plunge and change them all. With all the time and money I already invest I might as well not skimp on the little details that could make the difference between just a bump and a hook-up.

[WAeyes]

I love this topic but hate the problem. Rapala cranks are awesome, their hooks stink. I don't use braid line so I'm not familiar with the hooks straightening out but I know they are almost never sharp enough. They very rarely stick in your fingernail which is how I guage how sharp the hook is. My most recent experience was Friday night having 3 big walleyes come unhooked while using original hooks. I am in the process of changing out the hooks to VMC 7541bn trebles. Expensive yes, but how do you feel after losing 50 % of your fish due to poor hooks? Wish I knew more about proper sharpening tools and techniques for trebles, maybe I could save a few dollars. Anyone out there got any tips?

[REW]

Although I switched out all of the hooks on my Rapalas with either triple grips or excaliber, there is an ocassion, when I pick up a new bait and don't want to change the hook right away.

To sharpen the treble hook is not a big deal, it just takes a bit of time. I have tried many many many different hook sharpeners, and have come back to the very simple pen sized diamond hone that has the groove in one size.

I simply sharpen each of the hooks on each treble as though it were a jig. I use the "standard triangle sharpening technique". i.e. I hone away from the point on each of three sides -- including the underside. Many times, the only thing that the hook needs is a couple of strokes from the underside. It seems that often the tip is a bit bent over, and if you knock that off from the bottom -- the hook is very sharp.

For the standard bait containing 3 hooks, times 3 tines each = 9 x 3 sides = 27 sides that you need to sharpen per bait.

The only thing that you need is a simple diamond hone and time. I find that it takes me 3-5 minutes per bait to get all the hooks razor sharp. However, I still think that the point angling toward the eye gives a much better hook up. So as the final step - I reshape the hooks to bend each point "inward". I make each hook point -- point toward the hook eye. Much much better hook up.

Because of the time to sharpen and reshape -- I almost always simply replace the hook, rather than going to all the trouble to make a marginal hook "good".

Take care and enjoy -- and may your hooks stay sharp.

REW

[JK]

If you are thinking of using triple grips, I suggest you go to www.jannsnetcraft.com they have those hooks at bulk pricing. You can pick up 100 hooks for $30.16 (page 30 in the 2000 catalog).

[triple grips]

i think at stamina, triple grips are 100 hooks for $21.00

[Backwater Eddy]

A good place to buy bulk hooks of whatever quality you need is Jan's Netcraft Catalog. Bulk anything for that matter?
I replace lot's of bent up hooks yearly and buy the 100 ct. packs in the 1ot. 4's and 6's in treble's.

They carry a great diamond impregnated flatstone that opens like a butterfly knife, awesome hook sharpener! Great for all size hooks even the stainless steel Storm hooks.

Hope this is of some help! (: