I've been going through some tackle and weeding out some favorite hard baits that have been neglected big time! I have purchased some bleed'n red hooks #2's and started the process of replacing hooks. I've also noticed that instead of replacing some, especially on Zara Spooks, it looks like the plug may have to be discarded.
The spooks have the little bracket holding the hook instead of an eye and the little screws that hold the bracket are nearly rusted off. One good red would most likely remove the hook for me.
Any way... the reason for this thread is this....when replacing hooks, that are attached via split rings, has anyone found an easy way to remove the old hook and replace with a new one without loosing one's composer? It's hard to believe when looking around my shop and garage that I do not own a pair of split ring pliers but I don't and I've never used them. Do they work? The split rings must be better quality material because they don't show signs of rust, just the hooks. I played around with a pair of small needle nose, small straight blade screw driver, small vise grip, Diags (pronounced "dikes"),etc.
and never really found a good method of making the exchange. Worked aprox an hour and a half last night and I believe I managed to get 5 or 6 plugs done. I have the holes in my thumb this morning to prove it. I hope I can make it my routine for future trips on the salt water to have a container of fresh water to put the plugs in if I change one. The problem I have is when I use 4 rigs I have a tendency to put one down and use another one. I ALWAYS wash all my rigs at the end of a trip with warm soapy water and rinse them but obviously I've either missed some that I've removed and placed in my box or just didn't get them washed well enough. In addition, I suspect that if I place one in a box with out washing it the salt that remains on it will start some rust and that may even migrate to one laying next to it that has not even been used. Sorry for this epistle.... Let me know if you have good ideas on replacing hooks and dealing with split rings.
"Good Judgement" comes from experience, ... and a lot of that..... results from "Bad Judgement".
I just open the ring enuff ta get the old hook coming off, then put the new hook right behind it 
as you spin them around the ring, the old one is coming off and the new one is going on at the same time 
That's all I could get on short notice. I didn't want to take time to order and when I went shopping.... Super Walmart on the parkway didn't have any thing bigger than a #4....went to West Marine for a new fuel/water separater and figured I get some there....WRONG.... nothing larger than a #4.....went to the new Walmart next to Sportsman's warehouse (SW was closed! 
) and they had one box of 20 #2 and they were red. I will say however, in looking through my rust pile that the ones with red hooks did seem to be in better shape but that may be just a querk. Wevans.... I just had my nails done for Valentine's day and didn't want ta mess em up!! 
