BigBendFishing.Net

I had two plugs come apart this past week.

One was a brand new $10.99 Yozuri Hydro Popper. It looked to be a heavy duty plug and the package made mention of "Big Game". I hooked a Skipjack that could not have weighed more than two pounds and it shook the the lure off. When I reeled it back in the split ring holding the front hook on had failed and it was completely gone.

The other was a Top Dog Junior, a 2 lb Bluefish destroyed the hooks on it (I landed the fish but I still don't see how as bad as the hooks were straightened). This was a plug I had bought a few weeks ago and when I looked at it closer I could tell that the hooks were not nearly as heavy as the ones on some of my older Mirro Lures.

Nasty letters will be in the mail to both companies this week.

Ken K,
I've had some trouble with Yozuri lures losing the painted coating they are wrapped in. Those things cost to much money for them to fall apart when they are only a couple of months old. Just thought I would pass along the info.

Mirrolure has dropped the quality of their hooks and split rings to the point they have to be replaced on a new bait before it's useable. Although not as expensive as the Yozuri, the mirolures cost enough they should be a quality bait. I'm looking for alternatives to the mirrolure baits.

When I buy ANY lures or plugs, I change the split rings, swivels, hooks and any other ironmongery.
If possible I replace the trebles, with single hooks.
I also remove the third treble from plugs, where fitted.

Very few shop bought lures have ever had first class fittings.

With the aid of some pliers, I also make all the hooks barbless, as most/all of the fish caught, are going to be returned.
It also helps get the hooks out of me, or the landing net.
I do not think I have lost any fish by doing this.

Cranfield, if the lure has three sets of hooks do you remove the one closest to the head or the one in the middle?

I have some spoons that I would like to change the treble hooks to single hooks but I can't find any with eyes big enough to to take a split ring.

Ken, I always remove the middle treble.
It makes you wonder who designs some of the lures.
I have seen 4 inch plugs, with 3 trebles fitted.

You tend to find the stainless steel hooks have the larger eyes.
Suprisingly, going to singles doesn,t seem to affect the hook-up rate.

One further advantage in replacing trebles,with single hooks, is that it gives you the opportunity to use "weed guard" hooks (or whip your own weed guards on).
You lose less lures that way.

Cranfield, I have had "Siwash" Salmon hooks recommended to me. Are you familiar with those?

Yes Sir, they are a quality hook. Being "non offset", they are perfect for replacing trebles.

I like to take out the middle treble, replace the two end trebles with better quality trebles with one hook clipped off, and then bend the remaining barbs down. Sounds like ya'll have some great ideas to try with single hooks. Oh, and I've had the same experience with paint on Yozuris. Was VERY disappointed with their durability. Only using Mirrolures, now.