When the X-rap was released, it became the first jerkbait (or crankbait for that matter) with a feather treble hook that I owned.  Traditionally, feathered trebles have come on topwater plugs, and I believe the Live Pointer and X-rap are the first subsurface hardbaits I have seen that sported feathered trebles.  After my first experience with the Xrap was a very good one, I wondered if part of the baits appeal to bass was the feathered treble hook that came on it.  Soon after, feathered trebles became available from several of the top hook manufacturers, and I added a few to my Pointers.  After a full season of using them on a few of my jerkbaits, I have now added them to 75% of my hard jerkbaits, and really believe they are difference makers.  There are several different feathered trebles available to choose from, and thought I would post some examples from different manufacturers.  All the baits pictured are Pointer 78's, and the top one is sporting a VMC sure-set red feathered treble.  The next pointer in American Shad is toting a white/red flash gamakatsu feathered treble.  Following that is a Pearl Ayu 78 with an Excalibur rotating feathered treble in chartreuse/white.  Next is a Ghost Sunfish Pointer with another VMC Sure-set treble, this time in green/yellow/orange pattern.  Last is a Citrus Shad 78 with a chartreuse/white Excalibur rotating trelbe.  I think all fans of hard jerkbaits should be experimenting with these...I really feel they give your bait more action, giving you an edge on the water.

Zell Roland would agree with you on the addition of feathers.

Zell likes to tinker around with various lures and at a Bassmaster University he told us about his adventures with feathers, etc.

So keep putting those feathers on your baits.

I am a firm believer in using a feathered tail!  Last spring my friend and I had a tremendous amount of success using the x-raps, on several different occasions we tried using the jerkbait without a feathered treble hook and we never seemed to have the same success.  Ghost with a white tail hook was my most successful combination, this year I am going to try Ghost with a red tail on my treble and see what happens!