Water Temps

[Seth]

What is the issue with the split rings and hooks? I've never replaced any and haven't ever had an issue. In fact, I've never replaced a split ring or hook on any bait I've ever purchased and can't think of ever having an issue on any bait that had them. The hooks seem super sharp and I haven't any any issues with fish bending them. Is there some other hook issue?

[Guest]

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[Seth]

When I get home from work, I will double check the one I have on my rod right now. It tangled with a scrappy 17" smallmouth and a few dinks this past weekend. As hard as that fish pulled, something should have gave. My jerkbait rod is a medium/moderate soo maybe that absorbs a lot of the shock and helps preserve the split rings and hooks?

[fishinwrench]

I hear that crap all the time. Some hooks are better than others no doubt, but I've seen/experienced darn few on decent quality lures that were so bad they were deal breakers. You can't just automatically blame the hook for a missed strike or a lost fish.

If it is sharp and doesn't straighten out or break under the pressure of a fish then it is doing it's job just fine. We are talking about a curved and pointed piece of tempered steel here, nothing magical.

If it isn't sharp....Sharpen it!

If the angle is off....Bend it!

I mean seriously.

[Seth]

I'm with fishinwrench. Heck I am constantly bending the jig hooks when trout fishing because I am too lazy to grab the fish and remove it by hand. I just hold the jighead and shake the hook till the fish comes off. Those light wire hooks are usually all bent up after that so I just bend it back in place. I've caught some awful nice bass on little fine wire crappie hooks and didn't have any issues with them bending. Surely the hooks on my jerkbaits will hold up better than a little ol jighead?

[Ham]

When I get home from work, I will double check the one I have on my rod right now. It tangled with a scrappy 17" smallmouth and a few dinks this past weekend. As hard as that fish pulled, something should have gave. My jerkbait rod is a medium/moderate soo maybe that absorbs a lot of the shock and helps preserve the split rings and hooks?

You would think it would always be the drag that would give or the line would break, but that's not what happens.

I've seen multiple split rings get spread by large bass that I caught on crankbaits. I've also seen hook hangers pulled from Rat L Traps and I had a full sized Zara Spook pulled apart by a big largemouth at Lake Fork.

[Ham]

Surely the hooks on my jerkbaits will hold up better than a little ol jighead?

Not necessarily. It depends on how the fish is hooked and how much pressure the fish is able to put on the hook itself. You says you have a moderate action rod and I'm sure that helps. I'm seen pretty decent Redfish caught on popping bugs meany for bream while other redfish of a similar size bend out hooks on crankbaits and get away.

Bottom line though is that you are having good luck on your STX. Don't fix what isn't broken.

[Seth]

You guys got me worried now even though I've never had a problem. Let's say I do decide I want to change my split rings and hooks out, which ones do you recommend?

[Ham]

Why worry? You've had no issues. Lots of good split rings out there. Worth is one brand name. I like Gammakatsu round bends, but everybody has there own favs. KVD's. Daiichi Deathtraps. Mustad. VMC Barbarians

[Seth]

Why worry? You've had no issues. Lots of good split rings out there. Worth is one brand name. I like Gammakatsu round bends, but everybody has there own favs. KVD's. Daiichi Deathtraps. Mustad. VMC Barbarians

I guess I've talked myself in to second guessing my equipment after hearing a few guys on here reiterate what I've already read by other random people on the internet. If the RC STX end up costing me a good fish do to a split ring or hook malfunction, I will be on here promptly to stick my foot in my mouth.