So what you all use? EWG in the back? Short shanks? Stock? 1 Size bigger on the bottom hook?

I just ordered a bunch of new crank baits and what to do some experiments

I fish mostly Strike King and Spro crankbaits. I run the stock hooks on the Spros right out of the box, and change them as needed. Strike Kings get changed right out of the box. I change both brands to Mustad KVD 1x strong, 2x short triple grips. Deep divers get stock on the rear, 1 size larger on the front, shallow divers and lipless I stay with stock.

I use the kvd elite treble hooks on kvd 1.5s. You just need to make sure you get the right size hooks so they dont get tangled up often. 

owner stinger hooks and the kvd mustad are both good choices

I like Owner ST 36 & 41 trebles and also Mustad KVD 1X strong 2X short trebles. When using Owners I stick to stock hook size but any time I use the Mustad's I always go up one size from stock. I don't really have any special way of choosing which replacement hook to use, I just pick the one that "feels" right for that particular bait.

squarebills/lipless i use kvd mustand short shank on kvd 1.0-2.5 and go up a size. LC RC stay stock and change when needed or go up a size in short shank depending on the area I'm fishing.

I started using the KVD Mustad Elite trebles this season, and they are finding their way onto more and more of my baits as replacements, or upgrades on new lures depending on the quality of the stock hook. The KVD's have plenty of gap, so I try to use a hook size that's close in both size and weight, so as not to disrupt the lure's action. Just the way I do things...

Katsuage Hooks

 

You will never look back.

Depending on how deep my pockets are when it comes time to replace hooks, I'll either purchase VMC SparkPoint trebles or Mustads. Both are excellent hooks and I haven't had to replace any of the VMC hooks since I installed them.  My stock is getting low and I'm having difficulty locating them.  The only others I have used were SureSets on the belly of my top-waters.

VMC Black Nickle Round Bend Trebles

VMC inlines or short shanks. I'm really liking the short shanks now that they started making odd sizes like a #3. Allows me to go to a size bigger and stronger hook without adding a bunch of weight to my bait. 

I usually put in Owners or Gamagatsus of the same size.

Katsuage Hooks

 

You will never look back.

I haven't heard much about these - and there doesn't seem to be allot of info out there on them . . .

 

  What the the benefits of this hook verse other after market trebles ?

 

 And what's the deal with the Barb-out principle ?

 

A-Jay

These are some of the stickiest hooks around.  The unique outbarb hooks grab ahold of any fish slapping or bumping at the bait'.  Here is an excerpt from TackleTour reviewing the Megabass Vision 110:

 

Each Vision comes equipped with three Katsuage hooks which are specially designed for jerkbaits where anglers often draw quick strikes. Two of the outside Katsuage hooks feature barbs on the outside of the hook, and the center treble has no barbs at all. What this essentially does is drive either the front or rear hook in combination with the center hook into the fish creating an anchor point so that fish cannot easily dislodge the lure. Once the fish is in the boat it is easier to remove the lure because the center treble can slide out without the resistance of a barb, allowing you to work on the remaining Katsuage treble.

These are some of the stickiest hooks around.  The unique outbarb hooks grab ahold of any fish slapping or bumping at the bait'.  Here is an excerpt from TackleTour reviewing the Megabass Vision 110:

 

Each Vision comes equipped with three Katsuage hooks which are specially designed for jerkbaits where anglers often draw quick strikes. Two of the outside Katsuage hooks feature barbs on the outside of the hook, and the center treble has no barbs at all. What this essentially does is drive either the front or rear hook in combination with the center hook into the fish creating an anchor point so that fish cannot easily dislodge the lure. Once the fish is in the boat it is easier to remove the lure because the center treble can slide out without the resistance of a barb, allowing you to work on the remaining Katsuage treble.

 Thanks ~

 

A-Jay

Only as needed, 3x for fresh and 4x for salt, not fussy on brand.

I've always wondered why the SK KVD CB's don't come with KVD hooks on them?????

I would assume because strike kimg doesnt want to share profits with mustad. They would also have to jack up their price.

I changed out all the hooks on my RCI ,RC2 cranks with the kvd hooks. The stock hooks on them bend really easily on anything 4lbs an over.The gamakatsu ewg are good too.

I always use Owner hooks on my cranks.  Of course size of crankbait determines the size treble I use.

Owner ST-31 and VMC Vanadium Inlines.

i mainly switch to Gamakatsu same size

i also have used Owner Stinger 36

i picked up some of the KVD shortshank ewg size 2 (on sale for $3) but am not sure what to put them on

mustad ultra points .

These are some of the stickiest hooks around.  The unique outbarb hooks grab ahold of any fish slapping or bumping at the bait'.  Here is an excerpt from TackleTour reviewing the Megabass Vision 110:

 

Each Vision comes equipped with three Katsuage hooks which are specially designed for jerkbaits where anglers often draw quick strikes. Two of the outside Katsuage hooks feature barbs on the outside of the hook, and the center treble has no barbs at all. What this essentially does is drive either the front or rear hook in combination with the center hook into the fish creating an anchor point so that fish cannot easily dislodge the lure. Once the fish is in the boat it is easier to remove the lure because the center treble can slide out without the resistance of a barb, allowing you to work on the remaining Katsuage treble.

I went to my local BPS Today and to my surprise the guy said they had Megabass 110s. They hadn't even put them on the shelf yet.  So as I was looking through the colors I noticed they no longer had the barbless center hook? Now all 3 hooks have barbs?

I'll put red Gamakatsu ewgs on my lipless cranks out of the box. I mainly use SPRO cranks so I'll keep them stock and change when they get dull or if I want to up/down size.