Surf Fishing Series - Replacing Hooks on Plugs - Tutorial and Thoughts on Hooks Sizes

[@striperhunter-ic2wt]

Nice video,I agree about eagle claw.To cut i use the smallest bolt cutters from harbor freight.After twisting I dab with hard as nails or a grey sharpie at the cut.then i sharpen up!

[@richtroxler]

Thanks for watching. I have a Harbor Freight near me. I'll give the bolt cutters a try. The end nippers work well and the flush cutters used to. They're in the garbage now lol.

[@Karkawry1970]

Thanks for the video. I wonder what you don't like about Eagle Claw? I use their swimbait hooks for soft plastics, and find they are reliable and stay sharp .

[@richtroxler]

It's the strength. All my Do-it molds are made for Eagle Claw hooks which bend right out with a decent fish. I had to rework all the molds for heavier hooks. I just don't feel Eagle Claw hooks are strong enough for the fishing I do, but that's just me, I am admittedly OCD lol

[@Karkawry1970]

@@richtroxler Thanks for the reply, I go after European (Sea) Bass. Where a 10lb fish is considered a specimen. So hopefully they'll do okay.

[@fjrguy7309]

Hello , I enjoyed the video and have a question , if you have a plug with a swivel could you add a split ring instead of cutting the hook? , i ask because i would like to make my own plug and while shopping out supplies i was looking to buy swivels and split rings , then noticed mustad sells open eye hooks , it puzzled me , but seeing you cut a hook eye and replace a hook it makes since , but the question is still burning in my brain , about just adding a swivel , it would cause the hook to hang from the lure farther and maybe help in a hook up.

[@richtroxler]

Hi FJR. Sorry for my late reply. Technically you could just add a split ring to the swivel but you might start running into problems where the hooks start catching themselves. There's a happy median on every plug, so for me, I like as wide a radius on the treble hooks and as far back from the plug body as I can get without 1) affecting or ruining the action of the plug. 2) Having the front hook catch the lip (if there is one) or the middle hook (if there is one) or both. I do know that Mustad sells open eye hooks but have never used them because I'm not sure how heavy they are. I should buy some and test them, but when it comes to gear, I go way toward the heavy side on everything. I don't like fish stories based on broken line, bent hooks, etc. lol. Experiment around a little and see what suits the fishing you do. I always like the experimentation part, just as much as the exploration part. Thanks for watching and stay safe.