cutting VMC's

[Zeno]

I have yet to see a darter that swims better with a split ring than without it.
I cut VMC hooks on most of my plugs.The only exception is my pencils and sometimes needles.I wouldn't dream on putting one on junior atom or a darter.Do they open ? Not that I ever experienced or seen.I did have a 2/0 closed eye VMC straitened out............tight drag........
To those of you who automatically add split rings to all your plugs ...a thought....
I know a well known builder who literally breaks his a** to get a swivel burred into the body as deep as possible so that the hook without the split ring doesn't hang low.Now when you add a ring you kind of defeat the purpose.....not that I am advocating that the buyer of a plug should not be able to rig it anyway it wants ,mind you......another thing ...did you ever consider that by adding a split rig you just added another thing that can possibly fail (at worst possible times of course)?

[JHABS]

Fact is When you Cut a closed eyed V.M.C. YOU weaken the hook expose it to more corrosion , There is No way you are going to Break a Wolverine Split Ring. Or bend a 6x strong V.M.C.,Also with the ring you are talking about adding a little length which may change the action on some Plugs but Very little if Any,I've tried with and with out rings on some New swimmers that will be out this Year and there was NO change in action........ So some say potato and some say potatoe...........Its a Personal Perference thingy....................Do what Works for You.

[Zeno]

Good point John ."Whatever works for you " is a good motto to have ,not just while fishing but in life too.

Out of curiously did anyone's hook ever open at the eye by a fish ?Mustad ,cut VMC ,whatever brand ?
I seen plenty of hooks straiten out but I am yet to see eye opened up ?
Anyone cares to share ?

[parker23]

I have changed all of my tail hooks to single. I am slowly changing belly hooks to singles as well. I am a flyfishing convert, trebble hooks are nasty. I do not like hooking a fish w/3-9 points, when I can do it w/one. Trebbles do increase hookup/landing ratio, however, it is not worth the cost to the fishing stock. Hooks in the eye, spine, gut and cheek drive me nuts. I feel like a freeking gill netter, killing anything within the grasp of my hooks. I'd rather land fewer fish than fowl hooking a schoolie w/3 sets of trelbes lodged into its body.

In my opinion, if you keep a tight line to the fish you do not need 9 points to land the fish. My dad caugt a 64# bass on a single hook w/ eel. Why do we need so many extra points w/artificials?

[tattoobob]

A hook with 3 sets of trebles is just not needed, I remove all hooks then beef up the front treble 1 to 2 sizes I then dress a swash hook either 5/0 or 6/0 on 2 oz and above leaving the middle treble off. Bass will take the front hook and blues on the rear. I just don't like the cut hook thing.

Zeno, I have never had one open Because I always remove them.

[Clogston29]

Originally Posted by tattoobob

A hook with 3 sets of trebles is just not needed, I remove all hooks then beef up the front treble 1 to 2 sizes I then dress a swash hook either 5/0 or 6/0 on 2 oz and above leaving the middle treble off. Bass will take the front hook and blues on the rear. I just don't like the cut hook thing.

Zeno, I have never had one open Because I always remove them.

That works on some plugs but screws up the action on others, especially dannies and other metal lips IMO. Metal lips are very sensative and really have to be treated on a lure to lure basis. Beachmaster dannies for example don't swim as well with the middle treble removed or with split rings added.

[piemma]

had a bunch of cut Mustad 9510XXXS 6/0 Siwash fail a few years ago. Don't like the idea of a cut hook anymore. I believe split rings are the way to go.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Zeno

Good point John ."Whatever works for you " is a good motto to have ,not just while fishing but in life too.

Out of curiously did anyone's hook ever open at the eye by a fish ?Mustad ,cut VMC ,whatever brand ?
I seen plenty of hooks straiten out but I am yet to see eye opened up ?
Anyone cares to share ?

Never, and judging by the posts in this thread it's rare or simply doesn't occur. Which is exactly what I wanted to have confirmed.

[JHABS]

How many of you have seen when you are changing your hooks like a Mustad or cut V.M.C , When grabing the eye of the hook and opening it with your plyers with no effort it Breaks, I'd rather play it safe and stay with the closed eye ,Because when you cut the hook you are weakening it, I feel you are asking for trouble and why take that chance and Loose the Fish of a life time It may not Happen but it Could........................Also I make Pencil Poppers with 2 Single Hooks and it Works fine, Try it.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by JHABS

How many of you have seen when you are changing your hooks like a Mustad or cut V.M.C , When grabing the eye of the hook and opening it with your plyers with no effort it Breaks, I'd rather play it safe and stay with the closed eye

I've seen it happen more often than not with a Mustad open eyed hook. On plugs that are brand new out of the wraper---both Gibbs and Superstrike. It's been a problem for about 3-4 years now.

But, I never had it happen with one I put on myself, back when Mustad still made good hooks. And I rigged hundreds of plugs for Hawg Hunter Brad over the years. I put the hook on, took the crimping pliers, and gave it one firm squeeze, and where the end of the eye ended up, it stayed. I think some guys play with the eye too much to get it flush with the other side of the eye.

Now, on the changing the size of the hook deal by adding a split ring--take a 4/0 Mustad, a 4/0 Eagle Claw, and a 4/0 VMC and put them side by side. The shank length of the VMC is shorter by a good 3/4". When you add a ring to the swivel and put on a shorter shanked treble, you ain't really changing squat, length wise.

[tlapinski]

Originally Posted by Zeno

Out of curiously did anyone's hook ever open at the eye by a fish ?Mustad ,cut VMC ,whatever brand ?
I seen plenty of hooks straiten out but I am yet to see eye opened up ?
Anyone cares to share ?

Goo Goo eyes with 4/0 open eye mustads this year. Opened the front hook eye up, landed the fish on the tail hook. Had a fishing partner loose a bass last year on Block after a lengthy battle. The plug went out with a pair of 3/0 mustad open eyes, came back without any hooks. 2 seasons ago, another fishing partner was throwing a Gibbs darter and dropped a good bass during the the battle. Brought the plug in and one of the hooks was gone. He had 3/0 or 4/0 open eye mustads on the plug. So, it does happen, just not as often as hooks straighten.