Did daiwa start using better hardware on the SP minnow?

[shaller]

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. 

[Vintagefishing]

I feel that they are better now. I don’t change hooks. Just crush barbs. 

[Kima]

They are indeed better.  I'm not sure what they switched to but it's a big improvement.

[iwantmypie]

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. 

[cec127]

Still not great… this happened yesterday. Split ring was also destroyed. 

Edited April 17 by cec127

[shaller]

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. 

[Highlander1]

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. 

[shaller]

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 by shaller

[cec127]

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. 

[af15e]

Just stocked up on a bunch myself and by my very novice eye, I see no reason to change these out.  They look solid!!

[Derick Jahnke]

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.

[BG_NJ]

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..

[hobobob]

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.

[Shipwreck]

They upgraded at least 4 years ago.  Maybe more.

[Shipwreck]

VMCs on them.