Other than the obvious, money, why do you think a company would put hooks of poor quality on their baits? I never understood that. I would think that this would be poor PR for their baits. I am not going to beat up any particular company in here but, it was always a question I had. Any thoughts?

They can deliver an inexpensive product that catches bass and costs almost nothing to make:

Rat-L-Trap, Zara Spook, Smithwick Rogue (not necessarily the hooks), Jitterbug...just a few that come to mind.

I think it's purely cost driven.  Since the percentage of anglers who really notice or care enough to change hooks is likely single digits, even using better hooks wouldn't increase their sales enough to cover the increased cost...  so they feel it's better to deliver a product at a low enough price for us to buy and change the hooks- still beating the price of other baits.  Rattle traps, rogues, bombers, Arbogast, etc. plus new hooks are still way cheaper than lucky craft and several others.

It makes perfect sense to me even though I hate replacing hooks.  

because they know fools like us will end up spending hours switching them out anyway.  

because they know fools like us will end up spending hours switching them out anyway.

Amen to that.  I spent 2 hours yesterday replacing treble hooks on my assorted lipless cranks.

Yep, those hooks on my beloved rat l traps stink.  I see they have a new line of them out now.  Anybody know if the hooks are better now?

Because even if they put top-notch hooks on them half of us would change them out anyway because they aren't our particular favorite! I know that every time I buy a lucky craft the first thing I do is take those hooks and put them in the garbage. Sure, they're nice, but they aren't nice enough!

its from cost.  Most fishermen wont spend over $5 for a lure.  You have to keep the cost down some how and hooks are one of the easiest.

I bought a 20 dollar split ring plier to change these things out.  I just take a side cutter and cut the split ring off and trash the whole deal.  Replace with good split ring and hook.

Because even if they put top-notch hooks on them half of us would change them out anyway because they aren't our particular favorite! I know that every time I buy a lucky craft the first thing I do is take those hooks and put them in the garbage. Sure, they're nice, but they aren't nice enough!

IF you don't mind me asking, what type of treble hooks do you switch too?  I've had good luck with the hooks on the LC's.  I usually switch out trebles on rattle traps with Mustad Ultra Point hooks #4 on the front, and #6 on the back.

As said...it's purely cost.  I switch all my hardbaits to red Daiichi 4x trebles, and buy them in 100pks ($23.99).  It's just too expensive to buy the filler packs for 4-$5 for 8 or 9 hooks.

Because even if they put top-notch hooks on them half of us would change them out anyway because they aren't our particular favorite! I know that every time I buy a lucky craft the first thing I do is take those hooks and put them in the garbage. Sure, they're nice, but they aren't nice enough!

Please elaborate.  I didnt know that there were better hooks out there unless you pay alot more money

Because even if they put top-notch hooks on them half of us would change them out anyway because they aren't our particular favorite! I know that every time I buy a lucky craft the first thing I do is take those hooks and put them in the garbage. Sure, they're nice, but they aren't nice enough!

Please elaborate.  I didnt know that there were better hooks out there unless you pay alot more money

Whoa!  I must have missed that post.  I agree with Senko77...I'm a major hook snob, and the Lucky Crafts are as good as you can get in my book.

I'm definetely a hook snob myself. I just feel like its the first potential failure in my setup so I want it to be at its best all the time! I don't think there is one hook for every job. My problem with the lucky craft hooks is that they're way too weak! They're sharp and they hold their point but if you put the screws to a big fish that point will bend a lot of the time. My main hook for hardbaits is the Owner ST-41. Its a "2x" hook. The hooks is STRONG and also holds a point really well. The only problem is that the tips are slightly turned in... if that bothers you its not the hook for you. IMO the benefit to that turned in point is that its harder for fish to throw it.

There are also times that I'll use the Gammi EWG treble but there is all of about ONE application for that hook in my book. The other hook I'm currently experimenting with is the Duel Outbarb hook, its a Japanese hook, its hard to get, its expensive, and I'm still on the fence about them anyway. The concept is AWESOME but I'm not convinced that it matters.

What it comes down to is that I'm always pursuing big bass. I catch a lot of small fish but they're not my goal. When I hook a big bass on a small bait I need the best available hook to get that fish in the boat and most of the time that's the ST-41 Owner.

Matt

I guess I can understand why you feel that way.  If I were fishing for the size fish that you chase out there in Cali I might be the same way.  I guess the hooks on LC's work fine for the 3-6 lbs dinks we get to chase here in the midwest.

I guess I can understand why you feel that way.  If I were fishing for the size fish that you chase out there in Cali I might be the same way.  I guess the hooks on LC's work fine for the 3-6 lbs dinks we get to chase here in the midwest.

Lol, its not like every bite here is a 5+ lber. There are so many guys out here who have never caught an 8+ its not even funny, just like every other state. But you are correct, we do have a high top-end fish. Typically when I'm throwing smaller hardbaits like the lucky crafts I'm looking for those 2-6 or maybe even 8 pounders, above that I have a whole different kind of bait I throw. If you horse your 3-6 lbers or if they get the upper hand, you better believe those fish can bend those stock lucky craft hooks. Heck, I had an 8 pounder yesterday spinning our 17 foot boat around in circles, I couldn't believe the power she had! You just never know with these fish, its always better to be prepared because the one time you're not the biggest fish of your life is going to break your heart.

Other than the obvious, money, why do you think a company would put hooks of poor quality on their baits?

Because they are CHEEEEEP B@$$T@RD$. And the management wants fat bonuses, and the shareholders want dividends. >

I wander when will they start selling them without hooks   ,just making a recomandation like" PLEASE INSTALL #2 SPLITRINGS , #4 AND #6 TREBLE HOOKS OF YOUR CHOICE ! HAVE FUN !"

                         Because even if they put top-notch hooks on them half of us would change them out anyway because they aren't our particular favorite! I know that every time I buy a lucky craft the first thing I do is take those hooks and put them in the garbage. Sure, they're nice, but they aren't nice enough!          

 

Dont throw then in the garbage.  They are as good you can buy.

My single hooks are Gamakatsu and X-Points; I am 100% pleased with the Lucky Craft (and X-Rap) VMC hooks. I would suggest leaving them alone.

changing out lucky craft hooks is like rain man shopping for underwear- weird??? Diatchi hooks are awesome!!!  ;D