Posts
RUSS: Hi, Kevin. Everybody wants to know what Mustad treble hooks you've been doing so well with lately. I know there are a couple of new Mustad models you've been using as well as some old reliables. There are many questions I have to ask you on this topic, Kevin. I think our interview today may take up to an hour of phone call time.
KEVIN: I don't have a full hour now. I am giving seminars at a Bass Pro Shops store today, and I expect they'll call me in to give the next presentation pretty soon. So let's get started and run as far as we can before I need to leave. It's doubtful we'll get through the entire interview now, Russ.
RUSS: First, let us try just to briefly identify what are the 'tools you use' meaning the different Mustad treble hook models you use now. Could you quickly touch on what it is you like or what's the unique advantage that each hook model holds for you? We don't need to get too detailed now, because many of the later questions will touch back upon these same hooks. Just hone in on and quickly identify which models you use in order to get our discussion started today, Kevin.
Standard Round Bend Trebles
RUSS: First, there's the traditional model #36102 Ultra Point round bend series that comes in: 1) black nickel, 2) red finish and 3) red with feathered tails.
KEVIN: I use a lot of different hooks. My main criteria for selecting one hook over another is the size of the line, type of bait and type of cover. When I use the #36102 is if fish are in open water, if I am using lighter line or with a smaller crankbait, a jerkbait or even topwaters where the weight of the hook may throw off the balance of the bait. I use the model #36102 in those cases. It is a strong but light weight hook.
I also use the #36102 in the feathered version (along with the Triple Grip feathered hooks). I use feathers not only on topwater lures but use jerkbaits with feathers too. Again, I match the treble to the lure, the technique and to the cover. I want the best hook for each situation.
L to R: #36102BLN, #36102R, #102RWCH round bend trebles.
Mustad's feathered trebles are the best on the market. A few years ago when we identified the need to have feathered trebles in the Mustad product line, I said to them, "Hey, this is what we have to have," and Jeff Pierce at Mustad listened. He's a serious flytyer. He knew just the right grade of chicken feathers, the way they needed to be laid on the hook and tied down. They're crafted with extra long feathers, so supple, and they're laid on the hook just perfect! No other feather treble comes close.
Triple Grip Trebles
RUSS: There are four models of Triple Grip trebles for freshwater. First, there is the premium #36233 Ultra Point Triple Grip (1X-Short) series that comes in both black nickel and the feathered model you mentioned.
Then there are the Classic Triple Grips that come in three more models: the full-length #36242 in bronze and bright nickel finish; the #36243 1X-short in bronze and nickel; and the #36246 2X-short in bronze and red finish.
KEVIN: I make as much use as possible of the black nickel Ultra Point Triple Grip #36233BLN. It is currently the best bass treble hook on the planet.
The one other Classic Triple Grip treble I use a lot is the 2X-short model #36246, especially on lipless baits such as Strike King's Red Eye Shad. I can fit two larger size hooks on the Red Eye Shad without the hooks tangling - two jumbo #2's in these 2-extra short shank Triple Grips. I used this set-up to win the Bassmaster Elite on Lake Toho, Florida in March, 2008.
L to R: #36233BLN, #233BLNW, #36246BR Triple Grip trebles.
Mustad's Two New Trebles for 2008
RUSS: One of the two new trebles this year is the Ultra Point #36300BLN Elite Series Treble, 1X-Strong, Short Shank, Extra Sharp.
KEVIN: The great thing about it is it's a strong hook and I can use heavier line with it. It's ideal for shallow cranks around laydowns, docks, heavy cover. I can use oversized hooks - larger hook sizes on shorter shanks.
Most recently, in June 2008, I used this hook to finish first on Kentucky Lake, Kentucky and second on Wheeler Lake, Alabama. At both events, I used Strike King Series 5 and Series 6 Sexy Shad crankbaits with up to #1 trebles (the 36300's).
RUSS: The second new hook this year is the Ultra Point #36329BLN Elite Series Treble, 3X-Strong, Extra Sharp.
KEVIN: With so many different hooks available from Mustad, they are all good. What it comes down to is selecting the right hook wire diameter for the gear, the cover, the bait. The model #36329 is real strong. It doesn't flex. With something like Strike King's Series 1 crankbait, which is designed to be used around heavy cover, I can get two of these 3X #4's on it. That's heavy duty. With other cranks, where you'd have to put #4's, you can get two #2's on them instead with these heavy duty 3X trebles. They were originally designed for trophy peacock bass fishing on the Amazon, so you can imagine how strong these hooks are, even in relatively modest sizes (for peacock bass) like #2's and #4's.
What I like most about the 3X are the super hard black nickel finish and the bigger wire diameter. They're so durable, far more than any other hook. They have an O'Shaughnessy style bend that really holds fish. I've won two tournaments on these 3X hooks.
On the Bassmaster Elite Tour at places like Falcon Lake earlier this year, I used Strike King's King Shad swimbait with two 3X #1's on that. That bigger wire diameter, when you hook a five-pounder in all those flooded trees on Falcon, this hook's not going to flex.
Another situation where the 3X's excel is you can really grind them into the bottom around gravel and rock beds. This would ruin the points on many other hooks, but not these. The points hold up around shell bars, gravel, rocks, you name it. The points are extremely durable, due to the harder finish they have. These are the finer points (pun intended) that win tournaments for me.
I won the Grand Lake, Oklahoma Bassmaster Elite in June, 2007 this way, fishing very rough bottom. I used Strike King Sexy Shad cranks with 3X #4's on the Series 5 and #2's on the Series 6 crankbait.
On jerkbaits for big smallmouth, these 3X are not going to open up either. This is the only hook I have ever been able to use on jerkbaits on the Great Lakes that they do not open. Two 3X #4's or two #2's, you get a five pound smallie on each hook, all other hooks will flex or open. Not this one.
The only thing is to watch out with jerkbaits, topwaters, and smaller cranks. They may get out of balance with such heavy hooks.
Bottom line, whether it's big fish in heavy cover or monster Great Lakes smallies, the 3X are amazing hooks, and incredibly sharp.
RUSS: I definitely noticed that both new hooks, the 3X and the 1X-strong #36300 are extra sharp. They're even sharper than any other Ultra Points. It seems every time Mustad comes out with a new hook model for bass, it leapfrogs past earlier hook models in terms of quality, sharpness and design.
KEVIN: The great thing about Mustad is they are the largest hook manufacturer in the world. They have the technology, the machinery and the expertise to do things right. Mustad constantly improve their hooks.
Kevin's Winning Treble List
| MODEL # | FINISH | STYLE |
| Ultra Point 36102BLN | Black Nickel | Round Bend, Short Shank |
| Ultra Point 36102R | Red | Round Bend, Short Shank |
| Ultra Point 102RW, Ultra Point 102RWCH | Red | Round Bend (36102R), Short Shank, White Feathers, White/Chartreuse Feathers |
| Ultra Point 36233BLN | Black Nickel | Triple Grip, Short Shank, Wide Bend |
| Ultra Point 233BLNW, Ultra Point 233BLNWCH | Black Nickel | Triple Grip (36233BLN), Hand-Tied White Feathers, White/Chartreuse Feathers |
| Classic 36246BR | Bronze | Triple Grip, 2X-Short Shank, Wide Bend |
| Ultra Point 36300BLN | Black Nickel | New! Elite Series, 1X-Strong, Short Shank, Extra Sharp |
| Ultra Point 36329BLN | Black Nickel | New! Elite Series, 3X-Strong, Extra Sharp |
Treble Hook Finishes
RUSS: In terms of freshwater treble finishes, there are four. They are: 1) the black nickel, 2) bronze, 3) the shiny bright nickel and 4) the red treble hook finishes.
Is there one or more finishes - black nickel, shiny nickel, bronze, red - that you prefer more than the others? If so, why?
KEVIN: The black nickel finish is the best. It's harder. It creates the sharpest point. However, I won't hesitate to use other finishes, such as bronze on the 2X-short Triple Grip for the Strike King Red Eye Shad.
Red hooks are a good finish option too. When I do use them, I like the red just on the belly - or with the feathered tail hooks. I mainly use white feathers, however the chartreuse/white feathers are just wicked for smallmouth. Before Mustad offered the chartreuse/white feathers, I would use chartreuse-colored dye to spray part (or occasionally all) of the white feathers with chartreuse dye, but now that feathered trebles come tied in chartreuse/white, I don't have to spray them myself.
RUSS: Do you ever select a hook finish just for the color? For example, use the shiny bright nickel finish to get flash - or use one of the other finishes because of the black, bronze or red color of it?
KEVIN: First and foremost, I select a hook based on the style of fishing being done, the size of the lure, the line, the cover and so on. In terms of finish, I usually want to take the fish's attention away from the hook (with red being the exception).
The black nickel finish is the one I favor most because it increases the strength of the hook. Black nickel is stronger than the same hook in bronze or red (actually red is a gold-plated hook under the red dye).
RUSS: Can you tell us more about your feelings toward red treble hooks? Have you been in any situations where red trebles gave you an advantage over black, nickel or bronze finishes?
KEVIN: There have been plenty of times I feel that fish have targeted a red hook on my baits - either the red hook in the feathered tails or red hooks on the bait's belly. I truly can't say the red belly hook is the one they are going to pick out to strike, but if they do, I want them to target the belly so there's another treble (on the tail) coming behind it. I don't want them to target the tail which tends to make them strike short or just nip at the tail.
I use a lot of red hooks on topwaters, including the red hooks on the #102 feather trebles. I also use the red hooks on jerkbaits. Mostly in clear water. I like the way the red hook flashes. It gives the impression of a blood trail. I like the red hooks especially for spots and smallmouth, such as on Table Rock or the Great Lakes. These aggressive species seem to key in on it.
Replacing Trebles
KEVIN: Replacement trebles are so important. Especially with the increasing cost of fuel these days, anglers are spending a little less time on the water because of that. It is more important than ever not to skimp on the hooks. You can spend less time on the water, but more time catching, with the proper replacement hooks.
RUSS: What is your main reason for replacing the stock trebles on a bait, Kevin?
KEVIN: Lots of hooks that are factory-installed, even premium hooks from well-known brands, I throw them away. This probably amounts to thousands of dollars. I hate to be wasteful but most hooks that come pre-installed on baits are just not as strong, sharp or balanced. I am going to replace them with Mustad hooks that fit each anticipated fishing situation, that balance the bait, and produce the best strike-to-catch ratio.
RUSS: Do you ever do a straight-up replacement, just switch out the stock hooks for essentially the same size and shape of replacement hooks?
KEVIN: Yes, I do it all the time. My confidence is in Mustad.
Rightsizing Hooks
RUSS: In fishing magazines and articles, anglers are often told to be careful that upsizing hooks can wreck the action or fish-catching ability of a bait, as if there was some special balance that would be upset if you use different sizes than the factory-installed hooks. Do you find that upsizing hooks ever ruins or degrades the action of a bait?
KEVIN: It can. Certain baits such as topwaters and jerkbaits, upsizing without being careful and attentive, can hurt the action. On the other hand, there are an awful lot of baits you can put bigger hooks, and it doesn't have that much effect.
RUSS: Does the fact you tend to suspend or pause a jerkbait more often than other hardbaits have any bearing on what hook styles you would use?
KEVIN: With jerkbaits, the wire diameter is more important. I pay a lot of attention to hook wire diameter when replacing hooks on jerkbaits.
RUSS: Do you ever downsize the hooks and switch to smaller hooks than the factory installed on a bait?
KEVIN: No. I don't ever downsize.
RUSS: The most common hook sizes for freshwater bass seem to be #2 for large baits, #4 for medium, and #6 for small baits. Do you ever use smaller than a #6 treble hook?
KEVIN: No.
RUSS: Do you ever use larger than a #2 treble hook?
KEVIN: I use a lot of #1 and even 1/0 trebles on bigger baits, especially now that the Bassmaster Elite stops at big fish waters like Amistad and Falcon, or in California, I rely on a lot of these bigger hooks.
On the #36300 model, I have them in up to 3/0 sizes on big swimbaits. Same with the 3X trebles, I have #2/0's and #1/0's on some swimbaits.
Mixing Hook Models
RUSS: In the most recent Classic you won (in 2005), it was reported that you used round bend trebles (#36102's) on the belly hangers and a Triple Grip on the tail of a jerkbait. How often do you mix different hook models on the same bait and why?
KEVIN: Biggest reason I mix hook models is to get as much of the holding power of the Triple Grips - without tangling. The holding power of Triple Grips is phenomenal. You almost need pliers to unhook them.. However, I couldn't put all Triple Grips on the jerkbait I used to win that Classic. I couldn't put on all Triple Grips because they would tangle. The only way to keep the hooks from tangling was to put round bends on the belly. It's often the tail hook that is the most important one. That the one that fish short strike at or nip, so I like to have the Triple Grip there.
Testing Trebles
RUSS: Do you test different models and sizes of hooks on different baits?
KEVIN: I have a swimming pool at home, and use it to look at baits and how hooks affect their actions. However, I kind of know what to expect through experience and close familiarity with each bait. What I find is that the hook style does not affect a bait but hook wire diameter (meaning hook weight) does. The biggest area to watch out for are the 3X-strong trebles, There you need to be cautious. They can cause a jerkbait to sink, for example, which is not necessarily negative, but I just like to know what each hook change will do. So I test them. I may use a smaller diameter split ring to compensate a little for the effect of a heavier hook. Of course with the 3X-strong treble, you better make sure the split ring is equally as strong. You can go to a smaller split ring, yet still a strong one.
RUSS: What are you looking for when you test a bait? How do you know that a certain arrangement of treble hooks is better or worse than another arrangement?
KEVIN: Basically, I want to make sure it is the best set-up, the best wire diameter and hook size for a bait. Sometimes you can put hooks on a bait, just eyeball it, and tell what's needed. You can put two #2's on, and see the hooks will just barely tangle. So you know you have to go to a #4 and a #2 in order not to tangle.
RUSS: Are you trying to just get the biggest and strongest hooks possible without marrying that a bait will still swim and support? Or are you trying to fine-tune the action or enhance the movement of a bait with different trebles?
KEVIN: Often what I want is to get away with the biggest, strongest hooks I can without hindering the action and without tangling.
RUSS: Do you use different treble hook models for different species - smallmouth, largemouth, spots?
KEVIN: No, I try to make Triple Grips work in as many situations as I can, because of their holding power. Smallmouth and spots tend to get hooks stuck on the outside of their mouths a lot, and the holding power of the Triple Grips is just so good.
Proper Installation
RUSS: There are two sides to a treble hook ring, and therefore two ways to attach any treble to a split ring. You can attach a treble so that two tines face up or so that a single tine faces up. Do you pay any attention to which hook side (whether one or two tines) faces up when you attach trebles to a bait?
KEVIN: Which way a treble faces can affect the action of a bait, especially topwaters and jerkbaits are the most sensitive. I like to have the body or belly of the bait cradled in the 'Y' made by the two treble tines. It is not nearly as important on the tail hook, but the belly hooks are critical. Overall, I look to have hooks balanced so the swinging hooks flow freely around the bait equally on both sides. I do not want the hooks to torque the bait to one side. I look at it in water, and if I can see a hook is causing the bait to lean over, I spin the hook around 180 degrees to re-attach it.
Russ, I am being called back in now to start the next seminar here at Bass Pro Shops. So I'll have to wrap this part of our interview for today. To sum up treble selection, it's making sure you have a strong enough hook in any situation for the cover being fished and the line size. With the different Mustad trebles I use, I have all the bases covered.
I'd love to continue our conversation at another time. Call me soon!
Visit www.bassdozer.com and www.bassdozerstore.com for more information. Thank you and good luck fishing!
No comments:
Post a Comment