1 last comment. I grew up with a hook file sharpening my hooks multiple times per season. Sharpness out of the box is great but maintenance is key. Thanks again for a great vid.
WOW!!! Your depth of knowledge is absolutely remarkable. I have NEVER been this much appreciative of a TH-cam video. Thank you a zillion times. I have decided to go with BKK Raptor-Z 2/0, Mustard 9430-DS 3/0 and VMC 8527PS 3/0 for various application. Thank you once again.
6x VMCs have flat sides on the shanks as opposed to rounded 4x VMCs and I wouldn’t exactly say they’re a a direct replacement, as they’re heavier than the 4x VMCs and will chew through the finish of a plug much faster. I think one of the best big striper hooks I’ve ever used was the BKK Fang 6066-5x. You get the insane strong hammered flat hook shanks with hook points that are dramatically flattened, narrowed, and sharpened. Compared to the Raptor Z trebles they have a much more traditional shank and point orientation that makes them much more ideal for topwater or surface swimming lures that are going to be taken from underneath. Unfortunately, and for reasons unknown to myself the VMC 7560 Sparkpoint 6x trebles that come on lures like Hogy Sliders or Rapala X-plode offshore poppers are not readily available in the US and those are all around (in my opinion) the best hook for big striped bass. Strong as hell, sharp as hell, decent rust resistance, and they are identical in weight to the 6x 8527 VMC fish fighters so no need to make dramatic changes in size or worry too much about throwing off a plugs swimming action
I had an issue with BKK vipers (2/0) where two of the 3 hook points bent closer together which was weird. Also they don;t keep a point well if you ding it off a rock or snag. Otherwise no issues
Wow I'm shock with what you mention about the OWNER hooks. I heard people keep saying owner hooks are designed for tuna. I personal had tried a few, I notice their size is kind of big and they get rusted super quickly. The same go with VMC, they somewhat get rusted very quickly. They also bend as well even with their 6x, I lost a few fish due to this issue in canal. Love the BKK, bought the viper but haven't tried it yet.
1 last comment. I grew up with a hook file sharpening my hooks multiple times per season. Sharpness out of the box is great but maintenance is key. Thanks again for a great vid.
Thanks for sharing!
WOW!!! Your depth of knowledge is absolutely remarkable. I have NEVER been this much appreciative of a TH-cam video. Thank you a zillion times.
I have decided to go with BKK Raptor-Z 2/0, Mustard 9430-DS 3/0 and VMC 8527PS 3/0 for various application.
Thank you once again.
Morning coffee and shared knowledge 💪🏾
Great video! Please make one of these about the available options for inline singles and the size conversion when switching from trebles.
Are you talking about fishing or dating
@@jamesnicol3831Hahahahaha!!! Dating of course 😂
Thanks for the explanation. Going with the mustad. I had a few treble's break off my lure and I lost good fish. No more brittle hooks for me.
6x VMCs have flat sides on the shanks as opposed to rounded 4x VMCs and I wouldn’t exactly say they’re a a direct replacement, as they’re heavier than the 4x VMCs and will chew through the finish of a plug much faster.
I think one of the best big striper hooks I’ve ever used was the BKK Fang 6066-5x. You get the insane strong hammered flat hook shanks with hook points that are dramatically flattened, narrowed, and sharpened. Compared to the Raptor Z trebles they have a much more traditional shank and point orientation that makes them much more ideal for topwater or surface swimming lures that are going to be taken from underneath. Unfortunately, and for reasons unknown to myself the VMC 7560 Sparkpoint 6x trebles that come on lures like Hogy Sliders or Rapala X-plode offshore poppers are not readily available in the US and those are all around (in my opinion) the best hook for big striped bass. Strong as hell, sharp as hell, decent rust resistance, and they are identical in weight to the 6x 8527 VMC fish fighters so no need to make dramatic changes in size or worry too much about throwing off a plugs swimming action
How do you know which hook holds more weight? Since I was recommended a VMC 8527PS 5/0 Fishfighter treble for my new stick baits and popper
@@1502-Qek because I weighed them.
@@1502-Qek what’s the target species?
@@1502-Qek I’vs also built plugs for over 10 years for everything from schoolie striped bass to giant bluefin tuna, GT, dogtooth tuna etc.
@DanEvan anything pelagic from the 40lbs to the +100lbs
Another great and informative video , thanks 👍
What size BKK would you put on SS Darters and bottles to replace the stock 3/0 VMC?
Really helpful video! What size BKK viper would you recommend for a SP Minnow?
It depends on the size of the SP Minnow but the 1/0 is great on the smaller size and you can go with the 2/0 or 3/0 on the larger sizes
I had an issue with BKK vipers (2/0) where two of the 3 hook points bent closer together which was weird. Also they don;t keep a point well if you ding it off a rock or snag. Otherwise no issues
Great info!
@DanEvanFishing, what size BKK Fang 6066-5x will you use on a plug like Mike’s Ditch Witch?
Are the bkk viper 2/0 4x a good buy to swap out sp minnow stock hooks?
Those are a great hook, I haven't tried it yet but if you do let me know
Bkk are the best hooks one can use but its price is a bit high. But that price is also connected to its quality. For bigger plugs, GT-trex work great
Wow I'm shock with what you mention about the OWNER hooks. I heard people keep saying owner hooks are designed for tuna. I personal had tried a few, I notice their size is kind of big and they get rusted super quickly. The same go with VMC, they somewhat get rusted very quickly. They also bend as well even with their 6x, I lost a few fish due to this issue in canal. Love the BKK, bought the viper but haven't tried it yet.
Thanks for the feedback and firsthand knowledge!
JAW LOK 5X is the best
Those are great hooks!
Hooks should be de barbed Skill does not kill