Plugs and 6X hooks

[JLH]

Only 6x VMC or 5x Mustads for me. I've had 15 pound fish bend 3/0 4x hooks and I'm not talking about areas with heavy current. I used to think the 4/0 4x were pretty good but they were getting mangled this past season on the few plugs in rigged up with them.

I mainly throw needles and darters which fish well with the heavier hooks. Some larger metal lips seem fine too. I mainly cut the 6x hooks and haven't had very many issues with them breaking when bending the eye though it does happen occasionally.
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[eskimo]

I couldn't fish my drag any looser than I already do and I back off my drag once I feel I'm in the clear. The issue with the hooks has been within the last year. You might still be fishing some old stock VMC hooks.