It seems that too often I will lose fish on a rat-l-trap. I My theory is that they come off the very small back treble hook.  I will sometimes bend out the hook so they grab better but before I actually upscale to larger hooks, will this ruin the action on this bait?

If you are referring to the traps with the silver hooks I've always changed those to owner or gami hooks.  I have always had issues with those hooks and fish throwing the bait.  Once I change I never have an issue.

The problem I ran into if up sizing some hooks might tangle with the other hook. 

You can go up 1 size on the center treble hook, upgrade the rear treble and use the same size that it comes with. Most of my lipless crank or trap fish are hooked on the center hook.

Tom

I'll change the front hook to the same size but better hook like gammy inline and upsize the rear to a size 4 for 1/2 oz baits and go with the short shank version. I find most fish I hook are on the front hook. Try to keep them from jumping as this type bait seems to get thrown easier than most. When I hookup, the rod goes immediately into the water to keep them from jumping. I like the XR 50, especially the One Knocker and the Red Eye Shad over the Trap.

The problem with every lipless crank is not just the hooks, bass will actually grab it in thier mouth so hard when you set hook you get no hook penetration. I noticed this with silver or gold colors because they plainly showed a half moon of teeth marks.

What else you'll get is the bass using the weight of the lure to throw it. When a bass shakes it's head this causes the weight of the lure enlarge the hole made by the hook.

As far the hooks on Traps i don't know where y'all buy em but the hooks were upgraded 3 or 4 yrs ago.

I think a lot of the bass were biting "short" or tentatively from behind (it was a tough year).  It makes sense that with the heavier bait, they might shake, wear a hole, and throw them easier.  I don't know if I'll go up a size on the front hook or just on the back.  Guess I'll experiment and see.  Thanks everyone!

I don't change mine.. I have had a fish throw them before but it don't happen to often...  what brand rat-trap are you using?