shaller Posted April 16, 2022 Report Share Posted April 16, 2022 I just stocked up on sp minnows and cracked open the packages to switch up the hardware. I pulled out the 3/0 VMCs to put on the 17 size so minnow and realized the hooks on the plug seem to be carbon copies of a 3/0 vmc. Did they start putting good hardware on these things? If so, did the do it for the 15 and 13 size as well? I did do a quick search and couldn’t seem find any topics on it. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintagefishing Posted April 16, 2022 Report Share Posted April 16, 2022 I feel that they are better now. I don’t change hooks. Just crush barbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kima Posted April 16, 2022 Report Share Posted April 16, 2022 They are indeed better. I'm not sure what they switched to but it's a big improvement. shaller 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwantmypie Posted April 16, 2022 Report Share Posted April 16, 2022 They sure did upgrade the hardware, I first noticed last year on some of the newer colors. Pay attention tho because you will still see some old stock mixed in with the garbage hardware. New ones are ready to go right out of the package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cec127 Posted April 17, 2022 Report Share Posted April 17, 2022 (edited) Still not great… this happened yesterday. Split ring was also destroyed. Edited April 17, 2022 by cec127 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaller Posted April 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2022 26 mins ago, iwantmypie said: They sure did upgrade the hardware, I first noticed last year on some of the newer colors. Pay attention tho because you will still see some old stock mixed in with the garbage hardware. New ones are ready to go right out of the package. I guess they finally got enough complaints. I swear it looks 17F has 3/0 4x VMCs but usually manufactures like to advertise that sort of thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander1 Posted April 17, 2022 Report Share Posted April 17, 2022 57 mins ago, cec127 said: Still not great… this happened yesterday. Split ring was also destroyed. Damage done by a fish or by a pair of pliers? I've twisted many a good hook into pretzel shapes removing from bony mouth parts. And some straightened out by fish but never the split ring, the idea behind a split ring is no leverage. "Thats as big as a fish that size gets" - Russ WilsonRIP JM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaller Posted April 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2022 (edited) The first picture has the 17F hook on the left and a 3/0 4x VMC on the right Second picture has the 15F hook on the left and a 1/0 4x VMC on the right. They genuinely seem to be sturdy hooks. VMC clones if not actual vmc hooks. I would love for someone in the industry to give a wink and a nod Edited April 17, 2022 by shaller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cec127 Posted April 17, 2022 Report Share Posted April 17, 2022 23 mins ago, Highlander1 said: Damage done by a fish or by a pair of pliers? I've twisted many a good hook into pretzel shapes removing from bony mouth parts. And some straightened out by fish but never the split ring, the idea behind a split ring is no leverage. Done by a striper while kayak fishing. Was fighting the fish for a few minutes. Fish made multiple good runs. Then felt a pop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
af15e Posted April 22, 2022 Report Share Posted April 22, 2022 Just stocked up on a bunch myself and by my very novice eye, I see no reason to change these out. They look solid!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derick Jahnke Posted April 22, 2022 Report Share Posted April 22, 2022 I've never seen hooks straitened like that on big Chinook in heavy current. Don't know how you would do it on a striper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG_NJ Posted April 27, 2022 Report Share Posted April 27, 2022 Just popped open a new one and immediately found this thread after noticing haha. I will keep the stock belly one but still replace tail with single.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobobob Posted April 27, 2022 Report Share Posted April 27, 2022 Just looked over my old stock stash, both the 17 and the 13 have the vmc 4x hooks and heavy duty rings, the 15 have skinny hooks and light wire rings. The good ones have no nose ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shipwreck Posted April 27, 2022 Report Share Posted April 27, 2022 They upgraded at least 4 years ago. Maybe more. "He's a good stick" - Mr. Miyagi" ~ "Yep!" - Captain Dingo "How are you doing that" - Jimmy the Mate ~ "Shipwreck is one of those guys!" - Capt. Freddy Gamboa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shipwreck Posted April 27, 2022 Report Share Posted April 27, 2022 VMCs on them. "He's a good stick" - Mr. Miyagi" ~ "Yep!" - Captain Dingo "How are you doing that" - Jimmy the Mate ~ "Shipwreck is one of those guys!" - Capt. Freddy Gamboa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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