cutting VMC's

[NIB]

The duratin mustads are crap.I can't believe they try to pawn this crap off on us.They have no clue.It seems to me that the people at VMC changed the metal composition of there hooks also.I cut my VMC's an bend em to the side like the old mustad cut hooks.I did some testing going back an forth to see brittle the hook is.If I remember right 5 or 6 times till it broke.A mustad will be lucky to go 3 times.never had any trouble with em.The newer ones I have seem to bend easier.No I'm not getting stronger.I use all kinds of hooks old mustads in the cardboard box #'s 7794 a nice hook has a shorter shank than the 3549.Owners Stingers the silver one is the strongest hook I have ever seen.heavier than most hooks so they only go one some plugs.4x VMC's, 6x VMC's I am constantly changing hooks dependin on the situation.Cut an with splitrigs.Hey stuff happens.yea hooks open I seen split rings dissapear i think they can started an thread off.I love sealing plugs up so there is no water penetration but Then u have a hanger an a splitring.Not the best combination there is a locking point an a good fish can make the best hooks look stupid.Or they can do the houdini thing an worm the splitring off the hanger.Seen it happen.Fishing at night u can't inspect all the little things as u cast u gotta have faith in ur experience.

[JHABS]

Hey Nib

[NIB]

Hey Johnnee.

[chipwood]

Sounds to me like you guys don't change your hooks enough. Shoot I change up my hooks probably every other trip out. I gave up on rinsing my plugs off. I've come to the realization that if your fishing alot, the only solution is to switch out hooks often.

[LeCounts1099]

Funny, that was exactly my thought! Yes, cut VMC's or non- cut-- they suck corrosion- resistance- wise! Their down- side is they don't last long at "full strength". Pete's also quite right that even VMC 4x trebles often come with a dull point or two out of the box, & so EVERY point needs to be checked with no assumptions of "factory- sharpness" ever made! And: personally, I'm glad when I get ONE full season out of a VMC 4x hook on my heavily fished plugs! (You bet I double- check & replace for the Fall run!). So the answer is: cut away!... don't worry about using markers/ protectants on the cut or points... JUST change once a season, or yes-- more frequently if/ when certain well- fished VMC's are starting to look haggard.

I'm cutting VMC's now for 4 years... & haven't had the cut fail once! BUT: in Jan. when I'm removing old/ hard- fished ones from pet plugs-- yes, they seem to break at the cut then frighteningly easily!