· #1 Posted April 16 · Report post 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. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #2 Posted April 16 · Report post I feel that they are better now. I don’t change hooks. Just crush barbs. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #3 Posted April 16 · Report post They are indeed better. I'm not sure what they switched to but it's a big improvement. 1 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #4 Posted April 16 · Report post 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. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #5 Posted April 17 (edited) · Report post Still not great… this happened yesterday. Split ring was also destroyed. Edited April 17 by cec127 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #6 Posted April 17 · Report post 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. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #7 Posted April 17 · Report post 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. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #8 Posted April 17 (edited) · Report post 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 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #9 Posted April 17 · Report post 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. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #10 Posted April 22 · Report post Just stocked up on a bunch myself and by my very novice eye, I see no reason to change these out. They look solid!! 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #11 Posted April 22 · Report post 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. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #12 Posted April 27 · Report post 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.. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #13 Posted April 27 · Report post 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. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #14 Posted April 27 · Report post They upgraded at least 4 years ago. Maybe more. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
· #15 Posted April 27 · Report post VMCs on them. 0 Go to top Share this post Link to post Share on other sites