MarkNY Posted January 17, 2017 Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 How do you decide what size hooks to use for a crankbait? Do you just eyeball it? I've seen where the front hook is larger than the rear hook. How come? Would like to hear your thoughts, method or suggestions on this. Thanks, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 17, 2017 Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 Generally, most guys prefer the largest trebles that will not tangle on a bait. I prefer to use the same size trebles on each bait. You can eyeball it to guess the size that will fit but all too often I put trebles on and find that they tangle, so have to take them off and go with different size hooks, or a short shank hook versus a regular hook. I keep sizes #2, 4, 6, and 8 on hand with short shank #2 and 4's. These sizes cover all the baits I make or use. It's really aggravating to throw a bait whose trebles tangle on every other cast. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 17, 2017 Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 Bob's right about using the biggest hooks you can get away with and not tangle. He's right about most things. Nothing worse than having trebles tangle, or catch the bill on the cast. Also, you have to watch that bigger hooks don't cut down on a bait's action. Having said that, I sometimes make my belly hook larger to get a little "free" ballast, if I have a crank that needs it to be more stable at higher retrieve speeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurenerd Posted January 17, 2017 Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 I sometimes use a larger belly hook and smaller back hook to get the front of a crankbait to sit a little lower in the water so as to make it dive quicker. Not sure how much it helps, but it seems reasonable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNY Posted January 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 Great tips. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...