Replacing treble hooks on your favorite irons

[deepdvr]

I have a couple of my favorites that are nearly barbless now. Just wondering what works best: cutting the welded ring and adding a split ring & new hook, cutting the eye of the hook only and adding a small split ring between the existing welded ring and the new hook, or just buying a new iron.

One concern is that I didn't find split rings that appear large enough to clear the end of the jig and still have room for the hook to move without hanging up. I'm thinking that using the existing ring and then a small split ring to the hook may be the way to go. Anyone try this?

[Holy Mackerel]

Originally Posted by deepdvr

cutting the eye of the hook only and adding a small split ring between the existing welded ring

This is what I do, except I use a big, high rated split ring, about the size of the welded ring... Squidco has them. If not, and you hook up into something nice, the small split ring will buckle... Ask the King of La Jolla about that.

I initially tried to get big split rings around the jig, (not using the existing welded ring) but it is too wide, and stretches them out too much.

[Dennis]

Ditto to what Chris said.. I use Owner split rings, and trebles. They cost a little more, but look super cool. I don't own a pair of ring cutters, so Matt cut them for me... I used the cheap Rapala split ring pliers to put the rings on.

[j mo]

Blue Water in Solona Beach has them....

[deepdvr]

Thanks guys. There is a thicker 3 ply ring that is available, anyone try that one?

[Billy V]

I recall Siebler saying something about welding his own rings.

Give him a call.