Triple grips for esox?

[Cooter]

Just got a couple packs of the new musky sized(3/0) Mustad triple grip trebles, am thinking of which lures these would be best on - bucktails and crankbaits I would assume. Not sure if they'd be the best on topwater or jerks? Maybe too small for most topwaters? Looking for some opinions here.

BTW - did Jon fall through the ice on Red or what? Must be nice to have those 'banker' hours!

[Random guy]

Don't worry Cooter I'm Keeping my eye on you!

[RK]

Hiya,

I've been wanting to see muskie-sized Triple Grips for a while. Wish they weren't nickle-cad plated, but apparently that's what's available at this point. Pretty curious to see how well they work on muskies, because they're awesome for about everything else I've tried them for. Use them on ice jigging spoons, walleye cranks, and quick strikes. Once you hook a fish with them, they keep them buttoned up amazingly well.

The one thing I don't like about the muskie size ones is the bite seems a little small to me. Might just be an optical illusion because of the big bend though.

I'm going to put some on a few bucktails, and on some thinner-bodied cranks. Haven't gotten my mitts on any above 3/0 yet so jerkbaits and big cranks will have to wait.

The other Mustad hook that's pretty awesome is the new Extreme Esox hook - it's an Ultra Point 3X Strong hook built just for muskies. I saw the first prototypes in Vegas during the ICAST show last July. First hook I've found where "factory sharp" isn't a joke. They're nasty sharp out of the box. Ultra Points hold their point incredibly well too. Not sure when they'll be on the market exactly though. I managed to get my mitts on some a while back, but right now, they're part of a subscription incentive for Esox Angler Magazine, and we're the only ones who have them. We're basically getting every one Mustad is producing right now. Not sure when that'll change, but I expect sometime in '06 they'll be in retail stores. Worth checking them out...

Cheers,

RK

[delmuts]

RK when you see these hooks showing up in stores, let us know? thanks

[RK]

Will do Delmuts... I'll be talking to the Mustad guys this week I think so I'll see if I can get a guess from them. If I do I'll let you all know.

RK

[Cooter]

Yep, a 5/0 triple grip would be sweet. The gap between point and shank is a hair short on the 3/0s.

[cjac]

I've been playing in the tackle again and have a couple Qs. Thought I'd dig up this post from LY.

Has anyone seen any triple grips beyond the 3/0 size yet? I've snooped around with no success so far.

General question: I'm swapping out some hooks for quality purposes, but how often do you guys jump up in size as well? Take a Rap Super Shad for example. Should I be sizing up on those as well? Is there a significant advantage to having the trebs outside the profile of the bait? Then again, I don't want to impair the action of a lure by hanging grappling hooks off everything either.

Same with the split rings: Are the triple Wolverines overkill on some lures? What other brands of splits do you use? Bucher supers?

One piece of advice to relay, buy the better split ring pliers over the "cheapies". I think mine were still only about $15, but a huge step up from what I was using.

Thanks for any input.

Chris

[Cooter]

I still haven't seen either the triple grip or ult esox in bigger than 3/0

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

In my experience in with triple grips (fishing cohos who hit pound for pound as hard as muskie) the hooks are impossible to get out and really do a number on the fish's mouth. If we are working toward quicker and safe release for the muskie doesn't a better hooking and holding defeat the purpose. I would think we would be more apt to want barbless hooks if decreased hooking mortality and better fish survival is our goals. Each year there are more new release products on the market to facilitate better and easier fish release.

I find the joy of muskie fishing is in the hunt.

Just something to think about.

Dan

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Not sure, but I think you may be confused as to what Triple Grip is in this case. A Triple Grip treble is simply a new hook, designed and manufactured by Mustad, that sports a unique shape and gap that is supposed to hook and hold better. It is no harder to remove than a standard treble, and can be used barbless as well.

I think you are talking about hooks with three sets of barbs?

[RK]

Hiya -

I have a couple inquiries out on what the status is for the new hooks. I'll see what I can find out.

I've never really thought triple grips were any harder to unhook fish with, at least in larger sizes. I used the 3/0s last summer and had no issues. They're awesome as barbless hooks. They DO hold fish better when you're fighting them though.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[cjac]

Thanks Rob!

I plan on putting some 3/0s on smaller to mid size bucktails and going barbless. That's where the interest in the trips came in, as they hold very well from what I've heard. Larger would be nice, if not the 3551s are the next option.

Related to the hook question: Is there a best method for "T"ing hooks? That would be cool, as I just about buried a treb into my hand the other night. Or is it basically the two pairs of pliers approach that I've been using?

I see a new product for Mustad, pre-"T"ed hooks!

Chris

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

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Thanks Rob!

I plan on putting some 3/0s on smaller to mid size bucktails and going barbless. That's where the interest in the trips came in, as they hold very well from what I've heard. Larger would be nice, if not the 3551s are the next option.

Related to the hook question: Is there a best method for "T"ing hooks? That would be cool, as I just about buried a treb into my hand the other night. Or is it basically the two pairs of pliers approach that I've been using?

I see a new product for Mustad, pre-"T"ed hooks!

Chris

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Chris -

Your method is about the only one, but you will be safer if one of those is a Vise Grip. You could always put each hook in a bench vise, but that seems like too much work to me.

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Mojo,

I know what the triple grip hooks are. I was not confused with a triple barbed hook. I was just asking what others thought based on my experience in Alaska. I am glad to hear that the hooks are still very easy to remove in larger sizes and as RK mentioned would be great barbles.

Dan

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

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Mojo,

I know what the triple grip hooks are. I was not confused with a triple barbed hook. I was just asking what others thought based on my experience in Alaska. I am glad to hear that the hooks are still very easy to remove in larger sizes and as RK mentioned would be great barbles.

Dan

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Alright, sorry man