Plug Hook Replacement Question

[grandsalami]

I was in the process of replacing the hooks on my plugs and was wondering what type of hooks that you use, on plugs such as wiggle warts or tadpollys.. What brand , size and style? Thanks

[Flatfish]

I have made the switch to Owners. But we are having more fish than usual come off in the middle of the fight- I think they are tearing out- I think they are so sharp that the fish can't turn before the hook is in. We are getting a lot of fish in the front portion of the mouth which is sorta strange. The cool deal is I NEVER have to sharpen hooks. Just slip on a new one if one is in question.

I have heard great things of the Gammies with the funky bend. Can't remember the name of the style right now. Not the round bend ones, but close to the Mustad "Triple Grip". Look for them at the better tackle stores.

Good Luck and post your results here.

Mark and the dog.

[Drachir]

On Wiggle Warts, or Brad's Wigglers, take off both hooks. Leave the split ring on the belly loop, add a #7 swivlel, then the other split ring, and a #1 Owner Treble. This will result in a deeper diving plug, and better landing ratio. :grin:

[Chris Nordling]

Originally posted by Flatfish:
...... We are getting a lot of fish in the front portion of the mouth which is sorta strange. .

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Nope, I think that means you're a darn good plugger Force feeding I like to call it.

I like #6 VMC trebles for Wiggle Warts, although sometimes I run the beadchain/siwash hook outfit. Hot Shots get Owner Trebles. Tadpollies I don't fish enough to worry about, so I can't help out there.

Happy Pluggin !
Chris

[BUBBA911]

for tad pollies we use #2 gamies/ owners or #3 vmc's on the back hook only taking the belly hook off completely. for the warts we love to use the # 3 vmc's a little tougher than the #4 gami for steelhead we have had no problems but occaisoinly we hook the occaisional late chinook and the # 3 are able to handle the chinook... but if you are stuck on the #4"s the 2x strong #4 owner they can be deadly.. good luck... bubba

[Thumper]

Wow, what variety! I guess lots of things work. Many years ago we started modifying Wiggle Warts by removing both hooks, adding a #7 swivel and a Luhr Jensen extended split ring on the front, then a #2 VMC. I was guiding at the time and kept records. Our landing success for steelhead went from 68% to 100% once well-hooked. 83 straight steelhead landed in a row! I've never been able to repeat that season.

We also thought that the plugs dove a bit deeper when re-rigged in this manner.