cutting VMC's

[Clogston29]

I've had fish straighten 3/0 vmc trebles and the cut eye still looked fine. Coloring the cut on the hook with a sharpie greatly reduces rust too.

[libassboy]

I just use the split rings with the vmc's, cutting them makes them rust faster and i find it annoying. Those triple split rings wont pop open, and youll be able to change hooks easier in the future.

[tattoobob]

I would never use cut hooks, they are cut bent open then bent closed, this leaves a hair line crack in the hook. put those hooks on, use your plug a couple of times then try to open them they snap right off. I replace all my hooks with 4x VMC and XH split rings. never had a problem with brealing or straightening out a hook.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by libassboy

I just use the split rings with the vmc's, cutting them makes them rust faster and i find it annoying. Those triple split rings wont pop open, and youll be able to change hooks easier in the future.

My Danny's are the only ones where I need a little more protection against fouling by eliminating the split ring. Beachmaster himself gets upset with split rings so I'm going to trust his judgement. I'm sticking with split rings everywhere I can; needles, Redfins, some darters, and my bottles. I like my split rings. I can't stand even an occasional tangle while fishing Danny's though so it's time to make a change.

[luds]

I've also had success with the sharpie option. I use a silver sharpie to match the color of the hook.

[Crow]

I've been cutting them for a few years now and had always cut all the other brands of hooks that I used. When they are newly cut I have had 2 of 3 hook points straightenned but the cut part held. You just have to watch them in year 2 and 3. But I find the VMC rust whether you cut them or not but of course they are much, much stronger when not cut. Hooks are relatively cheap so when there is a doubt off they go. BTW I still cut them with sidecutters and use a round plier to open them and they seem less crystallized thus stromger.

[ThrowingTimber]

after cutting them if Im not fishing that lure for a while I hit the cut with a thin coat of hard as nails.

[Clogston29]

I think some plugs swim better with cut hooks than with split rings. That and keeping hooks from fouling are the only reasons I do it. Once I have one break, I'll probably change.