trying to make a decision here,

I have a lot of Strike King RES, 1.5 & 2.0 square bills, also a lot of Rapala DT6 & DT10.  Quite a few need the hooks replaced.

 

I am looking for input, all of these come with round bends, but the trending upgrade is to upsize hooks and go with Short Shank EWG styles.  The Rapala DT comes standard with short shank round bends, where as the strike kings come with standard length round bends.

 

a while back I switched to Owner ST-36 on my jerkbaits and have been very happy with them, so I am sort of partial to the brand, but more partial to my wallet.

 

My 1st question is, if I am going to EWG Short Shank, what is best brand/style

Gamakatsu Magic eye

Mustad KVD Elite triple grip

Owner ST-35

 

My second question is, what is the real motivating factor in going to the EWG short shank style, and are there any draw backs?

I would think that with an EWG although you can upsize, you may miss fish if they are short striking or slapping at the bait??

 

Triple grips size 4 for those. They're awesome!

The idea of the short shank is for upsizing, not because a hook has the extra wide gap (EWG). As far as which treble to use, go with what your experience has told you. If you are missing a lot of fish, try using the traditional round bend style, if you are hooking fish but losing them then an EWG will work.

I like the Gamakatsu short shank EWG hooks. I change to a short shank hook to keep the hooks from catching each other on a crankbait. I don't worry about upsizing when I do this. I have even downsized at times just so the bait wouldn't get hung up as easy.

My guess is that very few folks on this site, if any, would be able to tell an appreciable difference between those 3 brands of trebles on any given bait.

You won’t find a single EWG type treble on any moving bait I own. Ones that came that way were removed and replaced. Historically I’ve always gone Gammi, but more recently have been trying Owners (ST-36).

 

So, can’t help with the first couple questions though all brands/options you list have their fans and are solid. RBs for initial percentage hookup and easier to unsnag.

The Mustads are pretty cost effective in the 11 packs and I think they are high quality. They are what I buy in general. One drawback I have seen with owner hooks is they have such a small barb it is easier for fish to shake free in my opinion. 

 

I like to use owner ST-41s for light lures that are hard for bass to shake. With larger, heavier hardbaits I go with the Mustad short shank EWG hooks.