5xd and 6xd treble hooks
What size hooks should I use for a 5xd and 6xd?
1. To keep same weight as stock
2. To make the bait heavier for winter fishing, especially the 5xd. I caught a ton last winter on the 5xd but if I can get it to suspend when I stop retrieving, it would be even better.
5XD: Size 4
6XD: Size 2
Upgrade to the Mustad Ultrapoint KVD Triple Grip x1 Short Shanks. Go a size bigger than stocked hooks. The shorter shank allows you to upsize, while still giving the hooks enough room not to tangle. I actually run 1/0's on my 6XD's with no issue. To achieve a suspending action to a crankbait, use suspend dots or strips (Storm). Placing a dot or strip between the first hook hanger and bill is the best spot. Kevin recommends putting a dot on each side of the hook hanger, as this is the balancing spot on the crankbait, but I will normally add 2:1 favouring the area between the bill and the hook hanger, as I find my baits will dive deeper (nose down) and suspend slightly nose down, as many jerkbaits do.
Best of luck,
Matt Duprau
Thanks for the information.
I love deep cranking!! I like the tripple grip and EWG style hooks for my cranking as well. Great input Matt. One of the things you can listen to is the last Bass U live with Ike and I. There was a small segment that Ike reveled a top secret solution to suspending cranks. Many of the pros are drilling holes in the cranks between the lip and the first hook mount. Filling the cavity with vegetable oil. They seal the hole with silicone. This does two things. First it makes the bait quieter and second it brings the bait closer to neutral buoyancy. An added benefit is that it makes the bait heavier witch helps in casting distance. This will help get the bait down a little deeper. bassu.tv/live
Thank you. I have been going back through videos trying to find that one and another one where KVD talks about the 5XD setup but couldn’t figure out which video I had seen the information.
Terry Scroggins demonstrates how to weight a Strike King Pro Model 6XD crankbait, ( lure available at https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Fstrike-king-pro-model-series-extra-deep-diver-lures.html ) on the live show from March, 2021 about lure modification. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/modifying-making-lures-with-terry-scroggins-march-2021
He demonstrates the technique of weighting a 6XD to suspend or even slow sink at 1:23:58, and the best part, you can use whatever treble hooks you like.
