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Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&
Curious why do you say that Tony? My opinion is this is light tackle fishing. Braid is problem from the standpoint that it's got no stretch which is good for feeling the fish and working a lure but lack of stretch means it puts excessive force on the rest of your tackle. Something has to give. Usually it's the swivel, sometimes the hook.
My point though is that you don't need 6x hooks for stripers, they didn't have them 50 years ago and look at the size of the fish back then. It's only because of the newer technology lines like braid that you need to change to 6x hooks and usually because the drag is too tight or there isn't a long enough shock leader. They are about double the cost of a standard 4x hook also.
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A long leader will not always save ur butt.If a fish gets you rapped up your gonna loose it I don't care if u have 30 yds of 100 lb shock leader.Yes I use braid.I don't use a overly tight drag.Learned that years ago also..Even with the right hook your just gonna pull em out. I will winch em when I have to.I have a pretty good idea how to handle a good sized fish.There are times you just have no control over the situation.The last resort is too apply presure.Presure that will test all the weak links in your gear.Pressure that will make a rod manufacturer cringe. I have had too many failures with the 4 x hooks.From fish I would swear just bent em with there mouths..to em rubbing em out on the bottom.I had a fish dump on me with little line left On a 40 knock off that just stripped 2 sets of 4/0 trebles wide open before I could blink..Like I said sometimes u have no control over the situation..I will also add..I never put a plier on a hook..I rarely ever use pliers to remove hooks from a fish.
I really don't belive the VMC's are as strong as they where when I started using em 8 yrs ago..I would rather use a old school 4/0 mustad than a 4/0 VMC 4x.
Hooks where better years ago also..
When I fish I am pretty much gunning for bear.After years of failures I have it pretty much narrowed down..I have 100 percent confidence in every link.Or I at least have a idea of my limitations..I have left nothing to chance.If I can use a 6x hook within the perameters of the lure of choice I will.It just makes sense.Others can do as they see fit..