Retro-Fitting Ecogear SX-40s

[Mr FeLiX]

After going through my lure collection, I've decided to rebuild a couple of my pike ravaged SX40 favourties.

I'm aware they have owner hooks and rings, but will it hurt to slightly downsize the trebles?

I've fitted slightly smaller Hyperwire rings and owner trebles to two of my SX40s, the reasoning being i've seen bream swipe at these lures on the flats only to have them miss the hooks. I'm hoping the smaller hooks will pin these fish.

I've done a 'swim test' in the pool at home and they actually seem to have a more exagerated action and get down to depth faster, although ths was fresh water and i'm aware of the density difference between fresh and salt. All tests were done using the same leader (Rock FC) used when using these lures.

Any thoughts?

[hooked_on_trout]

When I have surface fished for bream I notice they always miss the target anyway often before they get a good strike.

The Smith Camion in my avatar (top colour) has very small hooks but it nails bream very effectively.

I guess when your using the smaller hooks you just need to be that little bit more skillful when somthing bigger than expected hits the lure.

cheers

[Mr FeLiX]

I did pick up the heaviest grade treble for their size that I was comfortable with, just on the odd chance something bigger gets in on the action.

Thanks for the advice mate

[Do$tylz]

hey mate,

The only thing is it will now probably float up slowly rather than suspend in salt water with the tiny reduction in weight.

The hook up rate re changes in size... negligible. The smaller hooks may mean a reduced footprint size of the hooks, but then may get a better hook up rate with the smaller, thinner barbs... could be BS though... this is just me thinking aloud

[Mr FeLiX]

Do$tylz wrote:

hey mate,

The only thing is it will now probably float up slowly rather than suspend in salt water with the tiny reduction in weight.

The hook up rate re changes in size... negligible. The smaller hooks may mean a reduced footprint size of the hooks, but then may get a better hook up rate with the smaller, thinner barbs... could be BS though... this is just me thinking aloud

I have considered the smaller footprint of these hooks, but as for the suspending issue they only seem to rise a centimetre or so in the water column with the smaller hooks fitted, possibly because although they are a smaller treble, they still have some weight to them with their heavy duty design

[nadders]

you'll be fine mate. in terms of swimming action, the lighter the hardware the more pronounced the action will be (though this isn't always a good thing, sometimes less is more)

shouldnt have any problems with slightly higher bouyancy, i dont think you will turn any fish off due to a very slow rise instead of a dead suspend

cheers

Dan

[Mr FeLiX]

Thanks for all the advice all,

I guess the real test will be taking the retrofitted lures out for a session. Won't be till the missus' foot heals up, so i've got plenty of time to fine tune them