Hook and split ring replacement
 

Just wanted to start a thread regarding what plugs you replace hooks and/or split rings on. I know everyone says change out everything made by Superstrike, but what else? I gotta assume Bombers and Mambos as well?

I never have a good fall run and this year I know it will be the one. I won't be able to put as much time in but with my dumb luck a cow will take my plug on one of my few outings and I want to be ready.

Sebile with "black" hooks.Lose them asap,lost what felt like a good one the other day. It just about straightened one leg of the treble...not happy.
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Replace all Sebiles and be safe unless the S&S ones that should hold up. Go with the Rosco splits. SPLITS AND HOOKS = LOSE EM!!!!!!!! 20# fish will punk the hooks and 30#'s will cork screw the splits. BTW the fish aren't going to like Sebiles next year so don't bother.

Hey, here's a novel idea for manufacturers (which could be a cost saver overall): Don't rig the lures, or at least offer some unrigged so that we can choose the hooks and split rings ourselves.

Just a suggestion.

That would be great but probably 90% of people who buy plugs have no clue or would even think about replacing hooks. And I'm sure we would all run into people casting plugs with no hooks:)

The best is when people forget to take the hook protectors off
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Thats me:smash:

So what size and type splits and hooks would you recommend for most canal type lures (2-4oz plugs,darters, swimmers etc..) including Sebile stick shad

If the hook on a new plug is shiny, 9/10 times it's garbage. Replace it with VMCs.

Stock Gibbs, SS, most plastic swimmers (redfins, mambos, bombers, yozuri) all fall into this category. I also replace the hooks on tins (Deadly #^&#^&#^&#^&s, marias, yozuris). Pt jude tins are great right out of the package.

I also switch out the splits on all of those plugs to rasco H splits, and use owner splits on my bigger plugs (expensive, but I've straightened rascos, and never an owner). If a plug comes with wolverines, I switch those to rascos as well. More wire doesn't = stronger splits, especially if the wire is 1/2 the diameter...

If you get an assortment of VMC hooks in 1/0-5/0, as well as splits in size 2-6, you should be able to cover most any plug. I generally match the size of the replacement hook/split to what's on it originally. My exception is needles- I generally go with oversized hooks and splits on them as their action is less influenced by the larger hardware.