Ok.. I am pretty religious about replacing hooks on new baits even out of the box... it's just something I do.  Doesnt matter what claims or what hooks most companies put on their baits, you need to change out the hooks with Owners or Gammies.... however...

I took 3 Wake Shad out of the box yesterday and the hooks were not even sharp enough to leave a mark on my thumbnail let alone dig into it.  I love Strike King's baits, I think I spent about 200.00 dollars so far the past month on them but man if I'm spending 21.00 on a bait you'd think I could get a sharp hook.

B

If you're replacing them anyways then why does it matter?

It's just the principal behind buying a $20.00 lure that has junk hooks on it! It's just wrong IMO! I got some of the Strike King King Shads with this same issue.

If you're replacing them anyways then why does it matter?

One of the reasons I buy Jackall and Lucky Strike is because they come with a premium hook that's sharp straight out of the box. I don't want to spend $15 on a lure and then turn around and add another $3 to it just to get sharp hooks on it. It all comes down to you get what you pay for and if a company can't even put a 'decent' hook on a $20 lure it shows that they don't care.

I really wish lure companies would make it an option on whether or not to buy lures with hooks on them. Its kind of dissapointing to just throw a brand new hook away, even if it is garbage anyway.

You think you got it bad ? These come with Eagle Claw hooks...

http://www.macdaddysfishinglures.com/faq.shtml

It's just the principal behind buying a $20.00 lure that has junk hooks on it! It's just wrong IMO! I got some of the Strike King King Shads with this same issue.

I agree, it's wrong. However, we're the problem because we're enablers. We keep buying this stuff so the manufacturers don't get the message. Plus I would imagine not many of us are writing letters of complaint. Stop buying these lures and let the companies know why and you'll see the quality of the hooks shoot up!!

Yea', I hear what your saying, but also consider this....

One premium bait maker (I'm buddies with the CEO) told me that he had considered using premium hooks, but that no matter which hook he used, a lot of guys "only use" brand X. (note; I don't prefer the premium hook he had considered either, so this just backs the point he was trying to make) But then, if he went with brand X, he would have a whole bunch of guys (like me) who only use brand "Y" complaining.

He ended up going with hooks from a company that many might not even consider to be a premium hook..... but the hook manufacturer made them specifically "per special order" and they are actually very good hooks, for a good price as well...... even though my buddy knows that a LOT of guys will just toss them and replace them with their own personal favorite hook brand anyway.

Of course to produce a line of lures, and give the buyer their choice of 3 or 4 premium hook brands would not be cost effective either..... and even if it were, still, not everyone would be happy.

So anyway, I think you see my point...

Peace,

Fish