Three strikes...I'm out.

[steelhead]

Sticky sharp is good. I began changing out all my plug's hooks to 4X VMC's three weeks ago after having three plugs with straightend hooks come reeling in in an hour and a half! Had been using 3x... Definately go to the 3x split rings. Don't ask.... :-( Then there's always those dang knots!!!! Big Bass change your perspective on your equipment pretty quickly! It's such a helpless feeling to feel one get down in the rubble and rub/torque you off!

[LeCounts1099]

Once again Pete G. is right on Point-- (pun intended!)-- sharp is all relative... and a very temporary stage for any hook anyway! It's all about field touch- ups, frequently!! (Only if you're serious about sticking big Bass!) A simple small- sized file (my pref.) sits front & center in my wader inside pouch at all times, at easy reach in any conditions! You'd be surprised at what even a schoolie or two will do to a "perfect" hook point! I ALWAYS check-- after every fish or three if lazy, depending!

But really: if you want sharp & strong plug hooks (& what Cow- Hunter doesn't??) ... Forget Mustads, & 99% of factory plug hooks! (& split rings!) Don't like to make France any more $ myself... but VMC (esp. 6X, 4X otherwise) is the way to go!! (unless you can afford/ justify the superb-- but $1.50 per!!-- Gama or Owner 4X Trebles!). I've done the field- testing ahead of most (2+ yrs. now), & trust me: Mustads are less sharp (no matter what is done to them), lose their edge/ point quicker, and are WAY weaker & more inconsistent, than are VMC 4X and 6X! Had bent & open trebles on plugs of all sizes frequently when a Mustad guy... not one yet w/ VMC! (couple of slight/ partail bends at most-- no failures!)

Don't check & sharpen plug hooks after every fish or two? Then simply don't lament lost cow hook- ups or losses! They're tough enough to stick using plugs/ trebles, to begin with! (Much different chore, than with an Eel & a single Gama.!)