Cutting & Installing VMC Hooks
I'm often asked why some of my plugs use split rings and others use cut VMC's.
The answer is, I use cut hooks and attach them directly to the swivel when the use of a split ring will cause the extra length to enable the hooks to "marry" or foul with each other during the cast.
It can be difficult to replace these hooks without breaking the eye due to brittleness.
The trick is to bend them as little as possible during the installation. I have come up with a system that significantly reduces the percentage of hook breakage during installation.
CAUTION: ALWAYS wear eye protection while cutting & installing any hook or working with any brittle metal. (I can't stress this enough!)
I use a small allen wrench clamped in a vise and a wooden hook holder I turned in the shape of a screwdriver handle. 3 Slots are cut in one end of the handle that will hold the treble hooks.
Using a pair of small bolt cutters, I cut the hook at the very base of the eye.
Now I put the hook in the tool and place the cut eye on the allen key. Now using light pressure, the eye of the hook is sprung open instead of "Bent" open
Using only enough pressure to keep the eye open, I slide the swivel into the eye of the hook.
When I release the pressure on the tool, the hook returns closed most of the way. I close the hooks all the way after they are on the swivel with a regular pair of pliers.
Note in the photo below the hook on the left has been installed and removed from a swivel. The hook on the right has been "bent" open enough to install on a swivel without using the "spring" method. The hook on the right has to go through much more stress than the one on the left and is more likely to break during the bending and closing cycle. the one on the left only needs very slight pressure to close all the way.
