Josh Jones VIDEO REVIEW LIVESCOPE Vs.ACTIVETARGET | Russell Marine Products, Page 3

Josh Jones VIDEO REVIEW LIVESCOPE Vs.ACTIVETARGET | Russell Marine Products, Page 3

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Spring 2022

page 38

then an EWG excels. If the lure has a long slender body shape like a jerkbait, I adorn it with EWG trebles.

I do NOT use them typically on fat surface plugs, or on other reaction baits that are nipped instead of engulfed like when bass are protecting a nest.

Having more gap between the hook point and eye is important in these cases, and a round bend style works better.

Round bend treble hooks sport a wider gap between the point and the eye, which allows the point to stick a bass more easily upon initial contact. Since the point is not in line with the eye (like the EWG style), more energy is necessary to get the barb to fully penetrate.

In the old days penetration was a big drawback of the round bend, but today’s sharper points, slick nano-coatings, and smaller diameter wire overcomes the less-efficient round bend design.

There are basically two shapes of round bends available.

The traditional round bend is the most common, and manufacturers install these less-expensive models at the factory.

While suitable for everyday use, a tournament angler or trophy angler would benefit from the more modern version such as the Gamakatsu G-Finesse treble series. Essentially these use the O’Shaughnessy bend for each tine of the treble. Not only does this make penetration easier and stronger, but most importantly it does a much better job keeping the bass pinned than a traditional round bend.

As the name implies, the G-Finesse trebles are smaller diameter (but stronger) tournament grade wire. This makes each hook lighter than its corresponding size traditional round bend. Consequently, you can upsize the hook for a

Shad Sharp

better bite without affecting the action of the lure. If you are like me, and

you want to land big bass, but realize

some of your favorite lures have small

hook sizes that make you cringe every

time you hook up, this hook fixes that

problem.

Many of my favorite crankbaits

and jerkbaits use a #4 treble, and I can

usually swap these out for the larger #3

or even a #2 without hurting the lure’s

action. Its short shank keeps the hooks

from tangling with each other during the

cast and retrieve despite the larger size.

Most all topwater lures seem to

land more bass when equipped with

G-Finesse trebles, and I usually pick the

Medium Heavy (MH) version for larger

topwaters and swimbaits.

If I could only buy one style treble

for all uses it would be the G-Finesse

trebles.

While fighting a bass it is not

uncommon for both hooks to eventually

stick the bass during the fight,

decreasing its ability to shake free. This

style in the correct size works with all

scenarios and lures that use trebles.

For toothy or larger fish, or brackish water, there is also

the Treble SP Medium Heavy Hypershield which is stronger,

maintains its sharp point longer, and is corrosion resistant.

This is the ticket for catching stripers, peacock bass,

muskellunge, and even calico bass.

Forty years ago, it wasn’t uncommon to use crankbaits

and topwater primarily to find active bass, then switch to

single-hook methods that worked better to land bass. Due

to premium treble hooks now available, these same lures

win tournaments.

My personal best largemouth over 14 pounds was

caught on a topwater with round bend trebles, a 5-bass

limit of Alabama Spotted Bass from Lake Perris, CA

weighing 28 pounds 14 ounces on EWG trebles, several 10+

pound largemouths on crankbaits with EWG trebles, many

tournament wins, and several 7+ pound smallmouth bass

with Lucky Craft jerkbaits sporting both EWG trebles and

G-Finesse trebles.

When installing premium treble hooks, be sure to use

split ring pliers or your hands will become pin cushions.

Make sure you install trebles with the belly hook

oriented with the two prongs against the belly and the third

sticking down from the belly.

Install the tail hook with one barb straight up so it

catches the bass in the upper jaw. You would be surprised

how many reaction baits are assembled at the factory with

the hooks in the wrong position.

Use what I have learned to shorten your learning curve.

Knowing treble hooks can prevent those moments that

cause a sinking feeling in your gut because you used the

wrong hook on your reaction baits. Ciao! •