So I decided to buy waterproof tackle storage trays for all my treble hook, lures and my chatterbaits. Today I started putting my squarebills in the new trays and in doing this I’ve noticed some of the lures have rusty hooks and the little eyelets that the hooks go on. So I’m going to get new eyelets (I’m pretty sure that’s what they are called) and start changing out the rusty hooks.

In starting this I noticed I have a few little packages of mustad hooks of different sizes to start my little project. The hooks are mostly sized from 2’s and 4’s with a set of 1/0 hooks.

With all this being said what size hook should I put on my squarebills and lipless crankbaits and my crankbaits??? Thanks for the feedback. Hope y’all have a blessed day.

Can't help with the hooks, but can 100% recommend those little silica packs that come with various products. They absorb moisture and work great for lures. I keep one pack in with each lure.

I have some of them too that I’m going to use.

1 hour ago, Justbass11 said:

With all this being said what size hook should I put on my squarebills and lipless crankbaits and my crankbaits???

Download this chart and print it then match up the originals to find the size you need.

Parts Sizing Chart | Janns Netcraft

Just remember that the waterproof boxes keep water out, they also keep water in.

I try to keep anything that I use during the trip and not put them back in the box.

When back home I lay them out and let them dry out before putting them in a box.

I also leave the boxes open to hopefully dry out any moisture.

If fishing in the salt, I rinse them off with fresh water, with pretty much everything else.

4’s are the norm for most crankbaits. You’ll see 6s some times (especially on older lures) and they just look tiny. 2s on bigger baits.

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

4’s are the norm for most crankbaits. You’ll see 6s some times (especially on older lures) and they just look tiny. 2s on bigger baits.

This ^^

You can sometimes upsize your hooks using a shorter shanked hook. Meaning if you find you have 6's on a bait you can maybe get away with putting on short shank 4's. Depending on the bait geometry the hooks may or may not tangle. In that case maybe try one short shank 4 and one 6. Same deal going from 4's to 2's.

It depends on the square bill. I have baits that take from a size #12 up to a 1/0. My advice is to get a variety of sizes #8 to #2. That should cover most of them. I usually take a hook out of the package and try to match it as close in size and weight as I can to the original. Depending on the bait, I will change the split rings as well.

Most mass produced baits have low quality hardware so I may swap out the hooks and split rings when they are new. It gives you an opportunity to give your baits a major upgrade. I tend to use either the Ryugi Pierce or Owner ST 36s. For some jerkbaits, I like the Gamakatsu G Finesse hooks.

On 2/24/2026 at 4:58 PM, Justbass11 said:

So I’m going to get new eyelets (I’m pretty sure that’s what they are called) and start changing out the rusty hooks.

I think you're talking about split rings here. Again, get some different sizes. One way you can add weight to a crank or jerkbait is to add an extra one to he hook hanger, or the split ring that the hook is attached to.

Some storage boxes have rust inhibitors dividers in them, I think it’s flambeau. I don’t know how well they work, maybe someone know about them here.

6 minutes ago, GRiver said:

Some storage boxes have rust inhibitors dividers in them, I think it’s flambeau. I don’t know how well they work, maybe someone know about them here.

Also Hyperseal boxes by Kastking have the rust inhibitor. If you don't want to buy new boxes use silica gel packs or the plastic round things that absorb moisture.(mine come in my bottles of vitamins). Amazon sells the silica gel packets.

I use to have this issue about every year it seemed like but I started using the silica packs in my boxes and that helped a lot. Now I've got the Plano StowAways with the Rustrictor in them and rust has been a nonfactor.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Plano_StowAway_3700_50_50_Split_Stow/descpage-PTSSS.html

@Bluebasser86 - I can't tell from the website so two questions. Is the rustrictor molded into the primary container (the grey bit) or are there separate dividers with it? Also, it looks like it was designed to be waterproof from the closure lip design, but I don't see a gasket to be truly waterproof. Is that all accurate? Presumably better than a normal box but not quite as waterproof as a plano with a gasket.

1 minute ago, casts_by_fly said:

@Bluebasser86 - I can't tell from the website so two questions. Is the rustrictor molded into the primary container (the grey bit) or are there separate dividers with it? Also, it looks like it was designed to be waterproof from the closure lip design, but I don't see a gasket to be truly waterproof. Is that all accurate? Presumably better than a normal box but not quite as waterproof as a plano with a gasket.

It's molded into the dividers.

That box isn't waterproof, but they do make the same style with the gasket if you want the waterproof boxes.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Plano_StowAway_Waterproof_3700_Stow/descpage-PSTSW.html