If your going to reproduce any atom 40's
 

http://65.96.148.142/dsc01068.jpg

don't copy as to where they placed their hooks,,,all you'll get is hook lock....place the hook holes further apart so this won't happen....or use very short shank hooks.

Somebody rerigged that plug. New wire, new hooks.:)

new..never screwed with.

AS DO Most Old plugs even Many NEW ONES, Its not a problem , No one complained for 40 years when Bob Pond did it.

I did away with the two belly trebles and went with one.....less trouble unhooking the fish I think.:huh:

Are you sure Steve? The Auburn hooks used on the earliest were short shanked and the yellowing on the plug's varnish should be matched with the tarnishing of the brass thru wire and hook hangers. Even if the plug was always kept in the box a subtle electrolysis would set up between the tin/cadmium plating on the hooks and the brass which usually led to a white powdery coating of the hooks. I see a little rust. Hmm that's interesting.:)

I have many mint in the box plugs..none of which have any tarnishing on any of the hardware..they all look as though they were just made yesterday....it all depends as to where and how they were stored....alot were bought and placed in a dry shop/garage/house and that's where they stayed untill found either by the wife/grand kids.. then they were sold because the old man wasn't around anymore.

Hab's......why not improve on something if you get the chance too while your making that item reguardless of what it is. I have two bluestreaks that are the same shape as atoms,,,one has the hooks to close together[hook lock] they must have seen that because the other plug has them farther apart avoiding that problem.

ps....some finishes can darken with time, even though kept the confines of a dark place.

when you throw these plugs with conv gear the plugs dont marry
and that is from my exp................

I am a plug expert.Hooks that Tangle are a no no.Especially on a plug that size.I agree with CS.

yeah but them hooks may be close to get the action the builder wanted. some plugs run great with hooks close to belly as it pulls the weight to the middle of the lure mr expert.

They were made that way for a reason , action , balance. and almost all old plugs I have here can marry but most dont do it on a cast the ones I make I MUST HAVE Cast I dont know how many times NOT ONE MARRY, Hey do what floats your boat. But like I said no complained when , Atom , Gibbs, and a LONG list of others did it. MAYBE a NO NO for some but not many.

everyone has an opinon as to what is or how something is done,,,I posted mine...you posted your's....as other's have their's...it's what make's the world go round. everyone enjoy the time you have on it.

One belly treble...its good! Mine swim nice with a little more wiggle.;)

if they are made the old way rigged like that also with hangers and hooks only, (no split rings and swivels) then maybe that could be a good reason they don't often marry on a cast. or maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
either way :huh:

So ur tellin me movin each hook 1/4" on a hook that is 11/2 tall swinging around makes a difference.if thats the case go back to the drawing board.i agree keepin the weight in the middle is a good formula for optimum performance in most applications.But they do tangle i don't care what anybody says.go use a conventional.most guys i know that thru them in the day took the rear middle hook off.I have a old plastic one i use an the hooks occassionaly tangle. Sometimes i get bothered by it but I'm italian so more is better.Thats right i'm a Italian Expert.:D Boy u guys are easy to get goin paper skin i tell ya.:smash: HEY HABS WHATS WITH THE CAPS.I NOTICE u only use them SOMETIMES in a sentence.thats pretty FUNNY.Look i can do it TOO> did BOB anSTANS plugs come with quadruple split rings an 16 x-strong hooks an cost a laborers paycheck for the week in Costa Rica.I DON'T THINK SO.

Nib, Did the CAPS SO YOU COULD SEE :smash: Your to Funny, Wait till you see my New Floater :bshake: I will make you one. Some did remove that second treble hook, and some even put bigger hooks on, Guys do what works for you.... Who has the Holy Grail of Hook Placement ................. Merry X Mass...........................

If ur gonna make me one of ur finer customs make it a Iceberg.U know its so large that part of it sticks out of the WATER.I like BIG plugs.Happy Holidays to U:D

Am I a dummy for removing the middle hook on those '40's?

I don't have problems with tangles, I just don't feel the middle hooks are necessary. I don't perceive any difference in the way the thing swims, but I could be wrong.

fishwee, it doesn't matter what we precieve as humans, if removing a hook still results in catching a fish, than remove them,if two hooks dont tangle and you catch fish leave teo hooks on. in the end what other people do,doesn't effect your own results. i always let the fish dictate my actions

I tried that for a while but the fish kept telling me to sit on the couch and watch TV :D

-spence

2 Hooks,3 Hooks, 5 Hooks, Big Hooks ,No Hooks, Do what works for you and Brings home the Bacon.....................

mmm bacon now I'm hungry

What works for me :read:


:buds:

3 hooked plugs (2 belly hooks) were the staple for when plugs were made back in the day. most did it for copying what the other companies already did. is it necessary? not really, but on some plugs removing that back belly hook made a big difference in the action of the plug. i have wooden 40s, but never fish them as they do not do what i want. as for the plastic 40s, i usually leave all the hooks on due to the action of the plug., which was most important to me. for the 1 out of 10 casts they may tangle, it was just part of the game of fishing this lure and i lived with it.

i just "love" the plug manufacturers and small custom wood plug builders that put small hooks on their plugs and expect them to catch decent (not even large) fish. vmc or not. if i had a dollar for every hook i cut off a new plug so i could put real hooks on i'd have a lot more plugs.

Thats my goal in makin my own personal stash.A plug that casts well an will take big hooks.tough to do without sacrificing action.got some fish on one last night on a 3.5 oz swimmer with 5/0 hooks on it.Looks kinda like a blown up Danny.not as long as the big ones.I cut the hooks to keep the distance between em down.i guess thats tough to do on a 35 dollar mass produced plug.

WOW!!!

there are Habs
and there are Hab knots

are you a Hab knot NIB? ;)