bomber question - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

quick decision · 05-17-2010, 07:43 PM

I had a schoolie bend thr hooks on a fingler length mac bomber. Has anyone had this promblem before? Is there a better hook I can put on that wont effect the action.

JamesJet · 05-17-2010, 07:49 PM

Bending hooks is a leverage thing and yes I have had small bass do more damage than a large one depending how they are buttoned. I have switched to VMC trebles and like them, I don't think it changes the action. Depending on which Bomber its a different size hook.

Nebe · 05-17-2010, 08:24 PM

VMC 6x hooks are your friend

luds · 05-17-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

VMC 6x hooks are your friend

On a bomber they're more of any enemy.

quick decision · 05-17-2010, 08:42 PM

I alway thought bomber was a higher quality lure. Why such cheap hooks?

Nebe · 05-17-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luds

On a bomber they're more of any enemy.

Why is that?
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luds · 05-18-2010, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

Why is that?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Like stripermainiac pointed out there are probably times like moving water that having heavy hooks will help but in general putting on 6x hooks will dramatically alter the action of a bomber. I should clarify that my experience is mostly with a-salts and 17a's. On the a-salts i fish two 4x 1/o's and on the 17a's i fish two 4x 3/o's. I believe the 17a's are packaged by bomber now with 4x 4/o's but to me those are too heavy for the plug to swim right in calm water which is where I use bombers. When there is a good surf I stick to red fins, f-90's, and large helcats. If you switch 6x on either bomber I mentioned you lose the wiggle at a very slow retrieve and if you pick up the retrieve they start to dive which personally I don't like. IMO there are too many other good finnish style choices that do that. Mr. Wiggly and loaded redfins being too good examples. Never been a fan of removing the middle hook on a 16a putting a 2/o on the front hook and a 1/o on the back either. I guess a 6x 1/o on the front would work here but again it's just not my thing.

Now I'm curious why you like 6x hooks on yours because I'm sure there is a valid reason that I may need to adopt into my way of thinking.

DZ · 05-18-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luds

Like stripermainiac pointed out there are probably times like moving water that having heavy hooks will help but in general putting on 6x hooks will dramatically alter the action of a bomber. I should clarify that my experience is mostly with a-salts and 17a's. On the a-salts i fish two 4x 1/o's and on the 17a's i fish two 4x 3/o's. I believe the 17a's are packaged by bomber now with 4x 4/o's but to me those are too heavy for the plug to swim right in calm water which is where I use bombers. When there is a good surf I stick to red fins, f-90's, and large helcats. If you switch 6x on either bomber I mentioned you lose the wiggle at a very slow retrieve and if you pick up the retrieve they start to dive which personally I don't like. IMO there are too many other good finnish style choices that do that. Mr. Wiggly and loaded redfins being too good examples. Never been a fan of removing the middle hook on a 16a putting a 2/o on the front hook and a 1/o on the back either. I guess a 6x 1/o on the front would work here but again it's just not my thing.

All good points Luds - tactical thinking at work!

DZ

Nebe · 05-18-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luds

Now I'm curious why you like 6x hooks on yours because I'm sure there is a valid reason that I may need to adopt into my way of thinking.

I fish them off of rocky ledges and jetties- never off of shallow areas, so I can get away with it I guess.. and I also fish them kind of herky jerky with lots of twitches. I dont bring it in with a steady retrieve. Also, i pause it a lot, which allows it to float up a bit... I dont use these a lot, but I like to have one or 2 in my bag when I need a small offering.

stripermaineiac · 05-17-2010, 10:06 PM

The 6x are a lot heavier and make the lure sink. This makes the small ones drag on the bottom or hang in the rocks. Can be a good thing for fast water but in slow shallow water it's a bad thing.Ron

Nebe · 05-17-2010, 11:01 PM

That's why you put a dressed small siwash on the rear... It equals out the weight difference

Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Nebe · 05-19-2010, 07:46 AM

I rest my case

Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

luds · 05-19-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

I rest my case

Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Save it. 4x sucka!

stripermaineiac · 05-19-2010, 09:28 AM

LOL Nice fish. Just remember it all works some of the time all the time. just depends on if the fish are ther or not. Too many times I've seen kids out fish so called pros by breakin all the rules. funny as a kid i used to do it too.

Nebe · 05-19-2010, 10:13 AM

99% of the time, it works everytime

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luds · 05-19-2010, 10:59 AM

Nebe · 05-19-2010, 11:06 AM

Redsoxticket · 05-19-2010, 11:10 AM

Braid and 6x are a good combination for breaking equipment rod, reel let alone a non wired thru bomber.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Clogston29 · 05-19-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redsoxticket

Braid and 6x are a good combination for breaking equipment rod, reel let alone a non wired thru bomber.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

i disagree. 6x aren't that strong. and straightened hooks are almost always a leverage thing, not a straight pull. drag?

DZ · 05-19-2010, 01:12 PM

One more thing to ponder when using 6X VMCs. I use them on certain plugs but have found that I have trouble driving the points home on the hook set with the some of the lighter blanks I use. The increased thickness of the metal takes more force to drive home. Gear has to match the hook. So many variables...

DZ

RIROCKHOUND · 05-19-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ

One more thing to ponder when using 6X VMCs. I use them on certain plugs but have found that I have trouble driving the points home on the hook set with the some of the lighter blanks I use. The increased thickness of the metal takes more force to drive home. Gear has to match the hook. So many variables...

DZ

ypu...
you should see my rigged eel hookset w/ a 9/0 siwash....

bart · 05-19-2010, 02:20 PM

I always fished 7" bombers with 3/0 4X VMCs no matter what the situation(mostly inlet fishing) because I figured they matched up best with the stock hooks, thus having less of an impact on the action. gives you something to think about...

Joe · 05-19-2010, 02:41 PM

Definitely replace the hooks. Even on the ones that came with VMC, a while back, they were only 2X closed eye out of the package. The tin hooks are even worse than they used to be. Don't try and use triple split rings either - a good double ring like 5 heavy.
People have different opinions, but a lot people use them to good effect. There's more than one right answer. I think 6X is overkill, but that's just me. Don't lose sight of the fact that it's a cheap plastic lure, that's not thru-wired, that pre-dates braided lines. The eye and hook hangers are held on by plastic molding.

stripermaineiac · 05-19-2010, 03:34 PM

I put the hyper wire split rings on most of my plugs like a-salts an mombos . Hold up great and are about the strongest out there for size in double split rings