UPDATE: What hook to replace trebles

[adamjay]

*see post #9 for conclusion

I need to replace the treble hooks on some lures -in line spinners, spoons, plugs - before I head up to river fish trout and salmon where single point barbless hooks are required. Which hooks do you guys use? Why?

[Irishfisher]

I use open eye Siwash hooks. Open eye makes attaching them easy by crimping the eye closed, without needing a split ring. Their configuration tends to put the hook in the right spot for hook-ups. They are strong enough for salmon and have been use for salmon spoons/plugs for generations.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/gamakatsu-siwash-open-eye-hook?ds_e=MICROSOFT&ds_c=Shop%7CGeneric%7CAllProducts%7CHigh%7CSSCCatchAll&msclkid=8eff6755ca9c101e3d5f063970c89e87&gclid=8eff6755ca9c101e3d5f063970c89e87&gclsrc=3p.ds

[deckhandmike]

Don’t cheap out. The cheap siwash hook eyes snap when you go to crimp them. I also use factory barbless hooks so ranger rick doesn’t have a fit if it isn’t a seamless barb crimp. Attach your hooks as soon as you get them. Don’t wait till the night before. I’ve had issues.

[dmy]

Agree with siwash hooks, but you may want to try a couple different brands and sizes because they may cause your lure to unintentionally spin.

[stonefly-2]

What you're looking for is "inline eye" hooks,

the designer hook manufacturers all make them but VMC is the best bargain in my opinion.

I changed out trebles long ago just to not have to damage trout I wasn't going to kill but never flattened the barb on any.

They work very well and barbs aren't needed if you know how to fight a fish.

[adamjay]

I appreciate the feedback, everyone.

I have often used Gamakatsu barbless siwash for replacement of trebles, but I have some concerns with them. I find the shanks are very long, drastically changing the length profile of a bait, especially smaller spinners - not sure if thats a big deal. 2nd, Im not real confident with the parallel j-hook profile - again, not sure that is a well founded concern.

I have been considering trying the VMC techset siwash - has anyone tried these? They seem to have a shorter shank, and I like the shape of the hook bend - a little tipped in, as opposed to the parallel j-hook. They are shaped more like the Owner No Escape hook, which Ive heard good things about.

I did replace a couple with the owner no escape, but -
1. they are not siwash, so require split ring
2. Smaller sizes eyes are too small for a split ring
3. Eye is offset (made for snelling) - seems the hookset will lever the hook the wrong way.

[deckhandmike]

Honestly, I’d just go buy some specific lures.

[adamjay]

Yeah, but so many lures come with garbage hooks anyway. Looks like many of the aforementioned hooks are not even available online. Got a suggestion for the Mustad Big Gun Siwash Hook from a buddy, if anyone is interested. I will stop by Cabellas on my way to the river and see what they have in stock for siwash hooks. Was just curious to see if anybody had a preference.

[adamjay]

For those who are interested, I went with the
VMC TechSet Siwash open eye hook (#7175)
on my salmon lures. They are available in hook sizes down to size 2. Very happy with the performance, quality and shape. Pinned a big bunch of Kings and Silvers and never lost one. 2x strong, takes a heavy plier to fully close eye.

For the smaller trout lures, I used
Gamakatsu open eye siwash.
These are available down to size 8. Not as happy with the shape of hook or shank length, but they are good hooks, and the hook point can be bent offset a little to help with hook to land ratio. They performed flawlessly, never lost a fish.

Both hooks come barbed, so you will have to crush them down if you need barbless, both crushed down easily and cleanly. Replacing stock split rings, if needed, with Owner Hyperwire split rings is a worthwhile upgrade, especially when you need to open them up alot to fit fat spoons.

For straight line rigging, I still favor the Owner No Escape hook, especially snelled.

Anyways, that’s the summary of my research and experience, hope it helps someone.