Treble hook/hardware replacement

[Fishin' Fool 1,096]

I consider myself a pretty serious bass angler but I'm not really up on when situations call for replacement of the stock treble hooks/hardware. Is it something like the cheap crankbaits it should be an automatic and the Lucky Craft and Megabass have good hooks or is this not always the case? 

[islandbass 356]

If I don’t trust the stock hook, which is uncommon, I’ll replace it. Many reputable companies use capable stock hooks so I won’t replace them until it’s time too. Honestly, I can’t think of a name brand crankbait whose stock treble sucked out the gate.  

[Angry John 1,218]

Strike king hooks suck but the xd baits run different hooks.  I look at how well the hook is made and if there sharp.  Not a perfect system but works for me.

[Bluebasser86 20,460]

I replace most of my baits hooks with the exception of Megabass, Spro, and Berkley. I don't mess with the split rings as much unless they appear like they could be flimsy. I probably overdo it, but I need all the help I can get some days. 

[TOXIC 1,291]

"Normally" you get what you pay for in hard baits and one of the things that drives the price up is premium hooks/split rings/line ties.  There are always exceptions.  The only bait I have felt compelled to change the hooks out of the package are Rattle Traps.  My go to is the SPRO Aruku Shad but there is 1 color of Rattle Trap that I like on the Potomac.  

[Oregon Native 1,494]

Do like to put a red treble on the front....yup

[bigturtle 551]

I replace most of the stock hooks, especially megabass. Megabass stock hooks are way too light.

[Bankbeater 1,678]

I replace hooks on Rat-L-Traps right out of the package.  I will also replace hooks if they become bent or damaged.  I don't try to fix them.

[Fishin' Fool 1,096]

What do you guys like for replacement hooks? I was watching a tacticalbassin video yesterday and Matt was pushing the Gamakatsu Aaron Martens Nano something or other hook. Thoughts?

[J Francho 12,857]

I get a lot of baits for testing from our sponsors.  I leave the stock trebles on them in order to evaluate the lures out of the box.  The only ones I don't like are the stock hooks on Heddon baits.  They work, but they wear out quickly.  I am a fan of short shank ST-36 from Owner and Vanadium Inline trebles from VMC.

[Way north bass guy 610]

I’ve been using the short shank mustad kvd triple grips on my jerkbaits the last couple of years, and have noticed a huge increase in numbers of fish that stay hooked up. Same thing with squarebills. 

[MassYak85 1,478]

It's mostly a trust thing if I am replacing stock hardware. If it seems blatantly cheap or dull I swap them, or if I am doing something that requires a heavier/lighter hook than what they provide. 

[Spankey 366]

20 hours ago, Angry John said:

Strike king hooks suck but the xd baits run different hooks.  I look at how well the hook is made and if there sharp.  Not a perfect system but works for me.

I have to agree 100% with that. A version of a Strike King crankbait that I love has the worse hooks I've ever had to deal with. I can't say it has cost me fish, but on many fish that I've caught, when you're removing them from a fish with a pair of pliers the soldered hook of the treble breaks off. This is with every little force when removing. I've went with a VMC replacement and they seem to hold up well.