replacing hooks on topwaters and cranks.  For the bigger lures, I'm using a size 2.  What's your opinion on size?  

Which brand of EWG or triple-grip trebles is better, Mustad or Gamakatsu? (there is a slight difference)

Owner ST-31 beats the pants off either one.

i like the gama hooks alot but i really dont think using one over the other here is going to affect hookup ratio alot

Owner ST-31 beats the pants off either one.

x2

Owner ST-31 beats the pants off either one.

x2

X3  and I am also partial to VMC

IMO, Mustad doesn't come close to Gamakatsu.  Gammies come out of the package sharper and stay that sharp way longer than a Mustad.

Burley, T-rig, and Bass_Fin@tic....I have broken a ton of the ST-31's  I mean, snapped right in half like it was nothing.  Is it possible that the few packs I bought at Bass Pro were bad?

I switched from Gamakatsu to Triple Grips about a year ago for my cranks.  No problems so far.

I have never had a problem with Gamakatsu or VMC hooks. Both are razor sharp right out of the package and stay that way. I have never broken either hook on a fish or rock. There are a number of brands in the premium category and these two are among them.

8-)

I liked both until the beginning of this year. I have had two smallies break one of the Gammy's off the set on jerkbaits (got them in on other ones). Both times were right in the bend of the hook and the other part was still in their jaw. This has just cause me to loose all confidence in Gammy's for the last time. I have snapped their Superline hooks on hooksets with 30 pound braid, and snapped their G-Locks (just ask 5.0). I think their quality has gone down in the past few years. But just my experiences.... :

I have snapped their Superline hooks on hooksets with 30 pound braid, and snapped their G-Locks (just ask 5.0). I think their quality has gone down in the past few years. But just my experiences.... :

Yup, wouldn't have believed i if I hadn't been sitting there. Made me rethink my hook selection....

 I use a lot of diff brands   gama, owner,mustad, i cant say wich is best  never had a prob with any of them. I love saber points  and barbarian trebles. A small mom and pop business is going out of business near me they had Owners for $1 a pack i bought 130 bucks worth for 20 bucks >they had some odd shaped hooks i never seen before  

I replace mine with Gamakatsu

Owner ST-31 beats the pants off either one.

Another vote here.

I use Gammies and VMC exclusively.

On size, I always go with what seems to fit the exact lure in question best. That seems to usually be a #6 or a #4 on most topwaters, though bigger baits like full-sized Spooks and such can certainly handle #2's.  In general, I'm not a huge fan of upsizing though, especially on topwaters where you might run into a balance issue. Same thing with different brands in the same size. Just something to keep an eye on.

As for EWG's or triple grips, you'll never find either on my cranks or topwaters. Every one that comes stock on a bait gets pulled off and replaced by a round bend Gammi, and then either thrown in the trash or given to a friend.  

-T9  

I like mustads triple grips

All my worm hooks are gama and my trebles are mustad, don't know why, thats just how I roll.

Gamakatsu for me.  I have always found them to be sharper than mustad.

Owner ST - 31 or Gammies both great hooks but Excalibur beat the pants off both of them as far as sharpness right out of the pack. Don't likeVMC at all. JMHO