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.

[Holy Mackerel]

Originally Posted by Billy V

I recall Siebler saying something about welding his own rings.

Give him a call.

That'd be a nice photo step by step "how to." I saw something like that done with a soldering iron in one of my fishing magazines, but I mis-filed it somewhere in the "office."

[wade]

From these tips, I am making my own Jigs & the top coat is currently drying as I type..

The welded ring on the nose is just something I like to do instead of a split-ring. The rings are made fom 1/16" or 3/32" 316L stainless welding rod.That is coiled around a metal rod between 1/14 and 1/2" in diam. Cut the individual coils off with wire cutters to make rings. The rings are brazed shut with high tensile silver brazing wire. You can get it at Ace or OSH, and probably any other large hardware store.A regular propane torch works great. Just dab on some flux, heat the joint of the ring to a red heat, and touch the brazing wire to the joint. In a second or two, it will flow around the joint where the melted flux is. Let it cool slowly (don't quench it in water), and rinse off the flux with warm water. Done.

[dfroggy54]

this is an awesome thread..im gonna start welding everything up now thanks!

[CandyCatcher]

Rad Post!

Thanks Gentlemen!

[Dennis]

Damn, those are some well manicured hands... The rings are sick, also.

[Holy Mackerel]

Good stuff Wade!

[KirkG.]

Great post and pics. Makes it look easy.
KirkG