I'm obviously in the minority on this... but I believe hook size/ weight as it effects plug- action, is an extremely over- rated issue! I believe that only on the smaller finess- type plastic plugs, and maybe with some of the smallest wooden plugs (ex. 1 oz. Dannys, Tattoos), does any beefed- up hook size within reason provide "too" much weight for optimal plug action. This is very over- rated a concern I find-- largely a myth! Furthermore, if you are using 4x VMC's as you should-- cut ones only are required on Dannys in particular, not just to save using a split ring... but because that extra swing distance of a split-ring-attached head Treble, on most Danny- type plugs results in lip- caught hooks & thus wasted casts when it happens. Direct- attached Trebles don't reach the lip! Finally-- VMC's of larger sizes, weigh way less than Mustad trebles of lesser sizes!
So: I really forget hook "weight" when deciding sizes of head trebles on plugs. Also, as a "large hunter" only, I'm always thinking strength first, "optimal" action second... So here's what I use: btw, all are head- hook suggestions. To me it goes without saying that 98% of plugs (except the very most outsized) should be fished with one head treble, no middle at all, and a rear single (or no rear hook, depending) (again, some will say heresy on much of this!):
--Large (3 oz) Gibbs Dannys: 4/0 open- eye Mustad 3x. The 4/0 cut VMC just seems too physically small to match this plug to me/ my eyes (with that "50" in mind)... the 5/0 VMC too big... and the 4/0 Mustad is the only Mustad 3x treble I trust! (the 4x 4/0 Mustad trebles are junk-- & expensive!)
oke:
--Medium (2 oz.) Dannys: 4/0 cut VMC (4x 'natch). (Second choice: another 3x 4/0 Mustad)
--Large Beachmaster/ other heavy/ duty Danny- types: 5/0 cut VMC (4x). Yes, 5/0! Large hook physically, true: but no way the weight affects these plugs' action at all negatively! At least by my field testing. Way more important to action, is the fishers' skill in retrieve...
-- Smallest/ 1 oz. Dannys/ Swimmers: 3/0 cut VMC 4/x
To discuss all other non- Danny- type plugs, & what (larger) hook patterns & sizes are workable would be a very lengthy discussion (& some think this too lengthy no doubt already! Some not...). But suffice to say, I go much bigger & "heavier" than most of my peers when it come to plug hook sizes at least on the head-- and can't think of one (largish/ wood esp.) plug that ever suffered action- wise as a result. Just leave off that middle treble, and go rear single or with Nebes' idea of a hookless tail- dressing... and your plugs' action will do just fine with a beefed- up head hook (that is, if fished properly)! And if you're about landing (& releasing!) large only like me-- you will be much more confident when something starts peeling drag off your reel like never before! (the moment we all live for!)
