I'm in the process of putting some new trebles on some crankbaits and lipless cranks and I've come across a question, I know its not uncommon for people to say upgrade a set of 4's to a set of 2's on larger baits but I was wondering what people do about baits that have say a 4 on the front and a 6 on the back. Would you up both of them to a 2 or would you upgrade the 4 to a 2 and make the 6 a 4? I wasnt sure if doing the former would affect the balance of the lure or anything like that and maybe should be avoided?

Depends on the lure... I can get Strike King and Rapala's to run with treble hooks 2 to 3 sizes larger than stock. I usually always have a larger hook on the belly and a stock hook on the back. You really have to experiment with hook size, but usually you can get away with 2 sizes up with no problem.

Lipless cranks are the hardest for me to upgrade hooks with. If you keep the 'ratio' of hook sizes the same (if it comes with a 4 and a 6, keep the hooks offset by two. Try a 2 and a 4 for example, or 3 and 5), it usually is ok.

Try putting a red hook on the bellies and see which hook the fish go for

I always try to use the biggest trebles I can get away with but some crankbaits get out of whack if you upsize the hooks. It's a trial and error process but well worth it in my opinion.

I personally never change the size of replacement hooks, the manufacturer installed them for the best performance with that particular bait.

    T

If you're talking about rattlebaits with a #4 on front and a #6 on the rear, upsizing the rear to a #4 won't noticeably change the action.  You might consider short shank #4's for both trebles.  The new Mustad KVD short shank hooks are pretty nice.  KVD upsized the hooks on a 1/2 oz Strike King rattlebait to even larger #2 Mustad KVD's and used it to win the last Classic.  The Generally speaking, it's possible to upsize trebles as long as they don't tangle or become so heavy they compromise the action.  On a lipless bait, it usually won't hurt the action.  On a lipped bait, it sometimes can.  You just have to experiment.