So most of my topwater baits have there hooks replaced with aftermarket hooks of one sort or another. My favorite are the gamakatsu trebels but they are fairly light wire and rust pretty quick if they don’t break on you first bc they are so light. I hate those permasteel VMC things. The 2x eagle claws are too heavy. What else are people using that are a good compromise btw light strong and corrosion resistant??
Gamakatsu, Owner, VMC and even Mustad all make “saltwater” hooks that are good and don’t have as much of a rusting issue. I always rinse my gear off after fishing, including my lures/hooks which also helps.
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I use a lot of the VMC’s. Probably use their round bends more than the O’Shaughnessy. IMO, they’re the best compromise.
Use some of all the brands that Firefighterj80 mentioned, for both freshwater & salt. Not a fan of the older Mustad or Eagle Claw, they’re just not sharp or as strong as other brands. Mustad Ultra Points are good. Haven’t tried the EC Trokar trebles, but do have some of the other Trokar hooks. Not sure they’re worth the cost, just haven’t used them enough to decide. I’ve had some issues with EC hooks in the past, so am leery of them.
Owner are my favorite, and have a very good line of saltwater trebles, the ST 36 is the lighter one, ST 46 is 2X, ST 66 is 4X, and ST 76 is 5X strong. Great hooks, but costly. These are all tinned, and they have some black nickel versions of these too.
IMO, when it comes to hooks & many other fishing products, they’re all a compromise in one way or another.
I always use Gamakatsu black nickle hooks. They do make some “lighter” trebel hooks (standard round bend models) but they make some “heavier” ones too. My personal favorite is this one: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_EWG_Treble_Short_Shank_Magic_Eye_6pk/descpage-GET.html
I’ve caught countless over-slot reds with lures using these hooks and have NEVER had one bend, let alone break. Yes, I have had some of the Gamakatsu standard round bend trebles bend on some large reds but I’ve never even had any of these actually break. As some have stated, they do make “saltwater hooks,” but I always give my gear a good freshwater wash down after fishing in the salt and I’ve never had an issues with my hooks rusting.
God bless the “ignore” function.
Thanks for the ideas guys. I ended up getting a pack of vmc rounds for a good deal so I will try some of those other options in the future
Recentry started experimenting w inline single hook replacements. Owner and I think vmc makes some. Idea is less damage to fish and less tangling/hooking on line,debris, other rods, etc. Not enough results to have my own opinion but they’re discussed enough to read up on if interested.