Wondering what specific baits people like right out of the box. For example I really like rapala dt series but the hooks aren't very strong and I'm just not interested in changing hooks ..i have enough chores as is lol. 

6th. Sense have great hooks on all of their crankbaits, and are mid priced.  

Now that you mention it I have some 6th sense squarebills and they do have nice hooks. Thanks for the reminder lol never thrown their deep divers. 

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

6th. Sense have great hooks on all of their crankbaits, and are mid priced.  

6th Sense squarebills/crankbaits may be the best value in the tackle world. They perform great, and with their finishes/hardware, they're very fairly price compared to other companies out there. 

Spros, come stock with gammies.

29 minutes ago, Bassjam2000 said:

Spros, come stock with gammies.

Nice to know. Never tried a door. This really was my first year using crankbaits beyond squarebills and for a guy without electronics I'm loving them for finding fish. 

I use all of my baits right out of the box after I sharpen the hooks on them.

On 9/11/2021 at 10:25 AM, Pogues2300 said:

I'm just not interested in changing hooks

6th Sense hardware is better than most in their price range.  Some come with a pretty heavy wire and EWG style treble.  Something to keep in mind.  

 

Even the best hardware will need replacing, eventually.  A good pair of split ring pliers (I use the Texas Tackle) can make the job quick and painless.  If you're set on keeping stock hooks for the life of the lure, I would at least be sure I had a hook sharpener on hand.  

There are very few baits that I switch out the trebles on and there are many I don't need to sharpen right out of the box. In 50+yrs of fishing, I have never had a bass straighten out a stock treble hook. Avoid the work and expense of switching out treble hooks on new baits. Check them for sharpness, yes and sharpen the ones that you feel need it. You'll know when it's time to replace them. 

Today’s brand name crank baits use Mustad or VMC treble hooks. The only reason I may upgrade the 1st pivoted hook 1 size larger, then change both. When I do change my choice is Owner STX 58.

Shad color crankbaits I spray paint the rear treble white.

Tom

6th Sense, Berkley, and Duo are the only baits I really like the hooks straight out of the box. 

Thanks for the responses. I don't have bass straighten out my hooks but the muskie and pike do once in a while. I feel I need to be careful how I word things in here. I suppose in hindsight I should have simply asked what stock crank bait hooks do you like best. Good luck with the fall fishing!

I generally don’t swap out my factory hooks but don’t assume they are sharp. I check them. I lost a couple of nice fish recently while crankbait fishing. Yeah I’m butt hurt and butt chapped over it real bad but no sense crying or making a lost fish thread over it. I had them as close to grabbing them as almost possible. Both fish were hooked by a single hook of the rear treble hook. In my mind I tried to think it out, use a net, no I’m an idiot. But what I did was switch both of those crankbaits to next size up treble hook size on the tail end of the bait. Identical baits slightly different pattern. Gave myself a headache dwelling on it, obsessed about the losses. Changed the rear hooks and will be right back in there fishing for them.