Ive been hearing a lot of you guys saying you don't like the standard hooks on the KVD squarebills.  Just wondering what you feel is so bad about them.  I can honestly say that every time a fish has hit one of my 1.5's Ive landed it and never had a problem with hooking up or a fish throwing the bait.  Granted I haven't been fishing nearly as long as most of you nor am I reeling in anything much bigger than 3 pounds tops.  Any oppinions?

I was wondering the same thing. I fish 1 & 2.5's almost year around with great success. I have never lost a fish on this bait either. Hauled in my 6.2 PB on a 60 yard cast. She hit it right when I started kicking up rocks and the hooks stayed buttoned up all 55 yards back to the boat. To each their own though.

I was wondering the same thing. I fish 1 & 2.5's almost year around with great success. I have never lost a fish on this bait either. Hauled in my 6.2 PB on a 60 yard cast. She hit it right when I started kicking up rocks and the hooks stayed buttoned up all 55 yards back to the boat. To each their own though.

 60 yds? you must be a great caster. Thats KVD on free spool territory. what reel were you using?

I've personally had a 3 pound spot bend the factory hooks so thats why I always change them before fishing with one. I've never had a problem with the KVD Mustads and therefore I've put them on the majority of my crankbaits. I have more confidence in the Mustads so I have more confidence in the bait I've put them on which in my mind leads me to fish the bait more effectively. Could be nothing, could be something??

Some of the pros change out the manufacturer's hooks for a size larger and sometimes a different style.

 

I like to change my crankbait hooks to a #4 Triple Grip Wide Gap Trebel hook by Mustad. They are extremely sharp.

 

I may change both the front and back or just the front hook.

 

I also will add a #3 split ring on some cranks front hooks to allow the hook to hang lower.

 

Just my preference.

Tthe first one that bent on me, i counted it as a fluke. Then i had two more on another trip. One bent out and one broke. I was using a 7M/mod and 14lbthe floro so its not like i over powered the hook.

60 yds? you must be a great caster. Thats KVD on free spool territory. what reel were you using?

its not hard with a 2.5 and a rod that loads up good. I use a 7 ft m/f , 10 lbs yo zuri and a BPS PQ. And yeah I use very little tension if any on all setups.

I like to change my crankbait hooks to a #4 Triple Grip Wide Gap Trebel hook by Mustad. They are extremely sharp.

 

I may change both the front and back or just the front hook.

That's exactly what I do, word for word. lol

And don't quote me on 60. I didn't have a measuring stick lol. I can confidently say I'm in the ballpark though. On a calm day or with wind in my favor, no problem.

I will use the stock hooks on a bait when I first use it and you usually can tell after 3 or 4 fish if the hooks are any decent. I love Rattlin' Rogue jerkbaits, the hooks are reasonably sharp but a good solid smallmouth with have at lest one treble bent so I change them out right away. Strike King in general are a little better but they too will begin to bend after a few fish so I switch them out with Mustad Triple Grips and I don't up size, even though some pros like to do it but I worry about changing the action of the bait too much.

I've bent/broken at least a dozen hooks on 1.5s and 2.5s when I failed to change them.  At first I thought it was the way I was fishing them, and what I was doing.  Alas, no.  Now, I've learned my lesson; every single one gets changed.

I've bent/broken at least a dozen hooks on 1.5s and 2.5s when I failed to change them.  At first I thought it was the way I was fishing them, and what I was doing.  Alas, no.  Now, I've learned my lesson; every single one gets changed.

 

X2

1 lost fish on a broken hook is 1 too many...

 

 

Mike

What size fish are you guys talking when they're bending your hooks?  Just curious.

i change all of mine out to KVD triple grips. Not because i have ever had a problem with the stock hooks, i just dont want to take that chance. All of my redeyes get hooks changed as well. I just go in with the modo "better to be safe than sorry." I spend so much money on reels, rods, line tackle. I misewell get the best hooks while im at it.

I personally don't see what the problem is with the hooks on SK baits. I've got a ton of their lures and never once had an issue with the hooks. Same goes for the Academy H20 baits that come with VMCs. You guys must be hooking up with some faaaaaaaaaat girls way more than me if you're bending them.

I personally don't see what the problem is with the hooks on SK baits. I've got a ton of their lures and never once had an issue with the hooks. Same goes for the Academy H20 baits that come with VMCs. You guys must be hooking up with some faaaaaaaaaat girls way more than me if you're bending them.

 

Hey now, fat girls need loving too ya know. lol

Especially the ones with the plump tails lol.

i change all of mine out to KVD triple grips. Not because i have ever had a problem with the stock hooks, i just dont want to take that chance. All of my redeyes get hooks changed as well. I just go in with the modo "better to be safe than sorry." I spend so much money on reels, rods, line tackle. I misewell get the best hooks while im at it.

x2

So its seems like its more of a personal preference for most then except on the rare occassion where hooks have been broken/bent.  I would be pretty suprised if there was anything of hook-straitening size in the lakes I fish.  Maybe I just jinxed myself but I haven't had a problem so I think Im sticking with the stock hooks for now.

Like I mentioned in my first post the fish doesn't have to be a monster to bend hooks. 3 pound spots bend cheap hooks no problem, that's how I learned my lesson.

I change them too, right out of the box. 1.0 get #6 Mustad KVD's, 1.5's = #4's, and 2.5's = #2's.

I change them too, right out of the box. 1.0 get #6 Mustad KVD's, 1.5's = #4's, and 2.5's = #2's.

99% of my KVD baits are the 1.5 size and I always go with a #2 on them. I haven't been able to tell any difference in the baits action and sure haven't had any problems getting bites. I was just curious if you have any special reason you don't go with a #2 on the 1.5's? 

I personally don't see what the problem is with the hooks on SK baits. I've got a ton of their lures and never once had an issue with the hooks. Same goes for the Academy H20 baits that come with VMCs. You guys must be hooking up with some faaaaaaaaaat girls way more than me if you're bending them.

I don't exactly know that it's a matter of hooking up with big fish, but the QC of stock hooks could be not up to snuff with specialty hooks.  Kinda like the "made for" shafts that come in golf clubs, they have the big name brand on them, but they are no where near as good as aftermarket.

 

This is the reason that I swap out all of m y stock hooks to KVD hooks or the VMC barbarian heavy wire trebles.

I lost a fish around 7.5# because the hook straightend out. I didnt learn my lesson and about a week later I lost another one around 5 since then I put kvd trebles on them.

based on the many "lost fish and bent hooks" that others here talk about  ...i change all mine out to Gamakatsu.  i have a lot of confidence in that brand