I'm looking to replace my stock treble hooks with Gamakatsu Short Shank Treble Hooks . A professional review I read stated these are best for : "The shank on these hooks is extremely short, which works very well on wide-bodied squarebills and larger deep crankbaits" ... What about top water baits (spooks , poppers) , twitch baits, traps  and suspending baits ? Anybody use these short shank trebles other than on just wide body square bills and deep diving cranks ?

Pretty much all trebles I use are short shank hooks. Gammys are good hooks. I also use VMC Vanadium Inlines and Owner ST-36. The shorter hooks don't hang up as easily and don't tangle with each other. I also suspect the fish has less leverage to shake free once hooked.

Leaning more towards the EWG vs. the standard round bend short shank trebles - do you believe the EWG makes a difference in a treble hook up ratio ?

I don't care for them.

Leaning more towards the EWG vs. the standard round bend short shank trebles - do you believe the EWG makes a difference in a treble hook up ratio ?

 

I am an EWG treble hook user (almost exclusively now) and I can not say that the hook up ratio is any better, but the Fish Landing Definitely Is.

 

Additionally, I have not used the Gammy trebles you've mentioned but just for the record,

the Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble Hook has completely changed my confidence in crank bait fishing. 

 

 Fish lost on the way to boat on these hooks has almost been completely eliminated - You may want to give them a try.

 

A-Jay

^^^ I bought a bunch on clearance at Walmart. Replaced a lot of baits with them. Those things don't come out.

Thanks - I'll have to be on the look out for the Mustad's ...

I really like the Gama Magic eye shorts

 

http://www.gamakatsu.com/fishing-hooks.php?pid=1108

 

The idea of short shanks is you replace stock trebles with one size larger hook.

Most stock trebles on the size crankbaits I use are #4 in the front and #6 in the back ... So with the short shank trebles you would use a #2 in front and #4 in the back ?

Most stock trebles on the size crankbaits I use are #4 in the front and #6 in the back ... So with the short shank trebles you would use a #2 in front and #4 in the back ?

 

Yes, in most cases. Just make sure they dont tangle.

 

Just be carefull with suspending baits as you want the replacements to weigh the same.

I use the Gammy short shank round bend trebles.  They are fantastic hooks.  I haven't tried the short shanked EWG's yet because they are so expensive.  I use the KVD's instead, even though the Gammy's are a sharper hook.  

 

I also use the regular Gammy EWG's and Owner ST 36's.  Different hooks for different baits and techniques.  Sometimes I try to make things as complicated as possible.