cutting VMC's

[luds]

I've also had success with the sharpie option. I use a silver sharpie to match the color of the hook.

[Crow]

I've been cutting them for a few years now and had always cut all the other brands of hooks that I used. When they are newly cut I have had 2 of 3 hook points straightenned but the cut part held. You just have to watch them in year 2 and 3. But I find the VMC rust whether you cut them or not but of course they are much, much stronger when not cut. Hooks are relatively cheap so when there is a doubt off they go. BTW I still cut them with sidecutters and use a round plier to open them and they seem less crystallized thus stromger.

[ThrowingTimber]

after cutting them if Im not fishing that lure for a while I hit the cut with a thin coat of hard as nails.

[Clogston29]

I think some plugs swim better with cut hooks than with split rings. That and keeping hooks from fouling are the only reasons I do it. Once I have one break, I'll probably change.

[MAC]

I've had hooks straighten out but never had an eye break or open. (usually my fault; drag set too tight ) To me if the drag is set properly and you only bend it once they are fine. If you over bend them after cutting them they break occaissionally. Or if you miss when you close it and try to adjust again that is where a problem could occur. Granted they rust quicker when you cut them so you just have to keep an eye on them and replace as needed. The rebending due to a miss includes Mustad open eye as well. Mustads biggest problem now is their coating sux and the hooks are dull as a Bic pen. Hooks aren't going to last forever if you fish a plug. Rinsing with freshwater helps but eventually they need replacing. EPA standards won't allow hook manufacturers to use what they could 10 or 12 years ago.

[MAC]

Another thing to think about is like Pete and Clogston said. Some plugs do swim better without split rings. Most plugs with 2 belly hooks were made to accomodate cut hooks. Add in split rings and hooks can and do sometimes tangle. Depending on the size of the lure its hook placement can't be changed enough to make split rings work without affecting the action of the plug.

[DZ]

Good question and good responses.

Pete,
Just a few thoughts about cut trebles: I have lots of experience (more than I wish to remember) with all aspects of failed treble hooks. I prefer to use non-cut trebles and attach them with heavy duty split rings on almost all my plugs.

That said, I have never had a cut treble fail (on a hook-up) where the cut was. They would straighten like the non-cut trebles but the “cut” never failed on a fish. The cut trebles do have a tendency to break when trying to remove them as has been said by others on this thread. When metal is bent it weakens – cut trebles should be used once - then discarded.

I use heavy duty split rings on my plugs – what I’ve learned is that split rings give your treble hook more room to rotate so as to counteract a bass’s ability to gain leverage and straighten them. Split rings are especially important in connecting the rear treble of the plug. I have had split rings fail on occasion but I believe that having them on has prevented many more straightened trebles. Remember - these applications have been put through the ultimate test at the island in the days of big bass that seemed to take pleasure in destroying your tackle.

As far as trebles on Danny style plugs fouling: a trick I’ve learned from some of the NY crowd was to graduate the size of the trebles you use. If it’s a three treble plug use a 4/0 on the front 3/0 on the middle and 2/0 on the rear. There are so many danny style metal lips out there now that you may have to adjust treble size depending on the plug.
This should help decrease fouling.

I’m thinking about doing a new seminar on ways to tinker with plugs to improve them. It would cover loading plugs, trebles, split rings, droppers, etc. Any interest out there?
DZ

[Zeno]

I have yet to see a darter that swims better with a split ring than without it.
I cut VMC hooks on most of my plugs.The only exception is my pencils and sometimes needles.I wouldn't dream on putting one on junior atom or a darter.Do they open ? Not that I ever experienced or seen.I did have a 2/0 closed eye VMC straitened out............tight drag........
To those of you who automatically add split rings to all your plugs ...a thought....
I know a well known builder who literally breaks his a** to get a swivel burred into the body as deep as possible so that the hook without the split ring doesn't hang low.Now when you add a ring you kind of defeat the purpose.....not that I am advocating that the buyer of a plug should not be able to rig it anyway it wants ,mind you......another thing ...did you ever consider that by adding a split rig you just added another thing that can possibly fail (at worst possible times of course)?