Choosing the Best Treble Hooks for your Lipless Crankbaits

As the water warms in spring or cools in the fall, lipless crankbaits are often the best bait for bass. There is two types of treble hooks that I like to use for lipless crankbaits. One is the classic round bend hooks and the other is the triple grip trebles made famous by Kevin Van Dam. I love to use the Mustad triple grip treble hooks on my lipless crankbaits most of the time. However, there is a time when I will change those out to a classic round bend treble hook to get more hook-ups with my lipless crankbaits. No matter what manufacturer I use for my treble hooks I always use black nickel-plated hooks. The nickel plating strengthens the treble hook. It also makes the treble hooks slicker. Penetrating is much easier than those that are not nickel-plated. This slick finish together with the lack of flex in the hook helps tremendously with hook sets and getting the best penetration possible.

MUSTAD TRIPLE GRIP TREBLE HOOKS FOR LIPLESS CRANKBAITS

Mustad worked with arguably the greatest bass angler that ever stepped on a bass boat. Kevin Van Dam knew what he wanted in his lipless crankbait treble hooks and the end result was the triple grip treble hook. The unique shape of the triple grip treble hook was created to “lock” the fish into the unique hook bend. This made it harder for the fish to throw your bait. The design creates a wider gap. It angles the point more toward the shank. This provides an optimal angle for maximum impact and penetration. The special bend helps keep the hook from snagging cover. It protects the hook points from hitting rocks and dulling them as well.

ROUND BEND TREBLE HOOKS FOR LIPLESS CRANKS

The triple grip treble hook is a great hook for your lipless crankbaits built there is a time when a round bend treble hook is a better option. Lipless crankbaits are great for getting reaction strikes from bass that are not feeding. The lipless crankbait is known for being a great lure to throw when the water is cold. When the water is cold bass feed less but you want to catch them anyway. Right? A lot of times you can feel the bass striking your lipless but you can’t seem to hook them. Very frustrating. It is at this time that the triple grips can actually hurt your hook-up ratio and the round bend hook is a better choice and here’s why.

BEST TREBLE HOOKS FOR FISHING

A reaction strike is when a bass is striking at your lure out of frustration and not because it’s hungry. When bass do this they never even open their mouth they are just trying to get it away from them. The same reason that the triple grip treble doesn’t hang up also keeps it from sticking the outside of the bass’ mouth. If you start getting strikes but no hook-ups, or if the bass you do hook is hooked on the outside of the mouth, it’s a good time to change to round bend treble hooks for your lipless crankbait. The round bend hook has a more exposed hook point. This will hook the bass easier when they are striking this way.

I have seen this often when the water turns cold. In the spring as the water is warming it seems as though the bass will choke your lipless crankbait. You know when the bass are eating good when your lipless crankbait is in its throat sideways. This is when the Mustad triple-grip treble hooks are great. However, as the water temps fall in late fall and into winter bass just don’t need to feed as often. You can get these bass to bite but they will strike at the lipless crankbait and when this happens then round bend treble hooks are best. Pay close attention to what is happening and choose the best treble hooks for your best lipless crankbaits.

With round bend treble hooks on your lipless crank, your hook-up ratio will go up when the bass are striking, but not eating your bait.

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