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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.
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