When i think of the MS slammer I think of ROB!
Can you tell me your size and brand of hooks for the 9 and 12 inch??
I love the owner 36s but was wondering if you mess with the size?
Thanks

What hooks do you prefer for striper plugs? I've tried a few, but haven't found a favorite yet in the #1-2/0 size range.

The ST-56 in 1/0 is my favorite for even large plugs for stripers. If they made it in 2/0 and 3/0 I'd probably like them. I use the #1 and #2 for small 5-7" plugs, but the #2 is sketchy for big ones particularly so if your using braid. I feel the 4X hooks are too thick (hard on the fishes mouth/face) and stronger than necessary. They open a big hole (like a log splitter) and the hook can fall out if you make a mistake when fighting the fish. You will bend a 56 occasionally but not so far you'll lose the fish. I like the stiffness of the 56, it wants to penetrate vs. flexing and just drills them! Also has a very durable point and is easily sharpened using a traditional triangulated chisel point style that the fly fisherman used to get a good hookset on tarpon back in the day when lines were rubber bands and rods were noodles.

The new ST-46 is identical to the 56 as far as I can tell, but the tinning makes them slightly thicker vs. the black chrome finish. It comes in a 2/0 and 3/0 but the wire is a little thick for my taste.

I'm starting to hope someone will hijack this thread and start posting pictures of giant night bass on the Slammer :) Just wanted to say that out loud.

I wonder who here was the most recent person to catch a nice fish on a slammer?

I like to look at it like this. A super sharp thin wired hook buried to the bone is less likely to straighten out than a thick wired hook that barely gets past the barb. It is all about leverage.

Also a hook with a super wide gap is going to straighten out easier than one with a smaller gap. I think that is why the 1/0 st56 is such a nice hook. I just wish owner would make the shanks longer on the both the ST56 and ST36 (length between the eye and the bend of their trebbles). They are too short in my opinion.

I really liked the Gami Magic eyes for this reason, however they don't hold up well to stripers and braid.

On the plugs that I am making, I have been using VMC permasteel 4x and I feel they are a nice trade off between strength, wire thickness, sharpness, and durability.

Nufo

Here's the joints on my best 3 baits (in order). Note the rust factor as well. I spray with WD-40 every few years to keep it under control, but a little rust is great. Like a squeaky buzzbait. It gets nibbles.

http://www.calfishing.com/files/Images/daily_reports/2011_08_24_joints/j1.jpg

http://www.calfishing.com/files/Images/daily_reports/2011_08_24_joints/j2.jpg

http://www.calfishing.com/files/Images/daily_reports/2011_08_24_joints/j3.jpg

The Slammer box always resides close to the top :)

http://www.calfishing.com/files/Images/daily_reports/2011_08_24_joints/hello.jpg

Cool, I'm almost getting excited about fall striper fishing now :-)

That black bait front eye screw looks tweaked, and that's why those baits rule....everyone has a mind of it's own and you have to figure them all out. Very cool to show the baits Rob thanks! I got one last night about 6 or soo?? no scale, but a super fun fish! I tried to post the pic but i guess the photo was to big in size ?? Wouldn't let me.. Thanks to all for the great info. I totally agree with the owner 36's love those hooks and HATE the 41 x2 owners, magic eyes have done me well with the longer shanks and want to try the gammies for sure to see if the baits run different and see if my hook ups go up!

This one has a crooked joint and mad Mojo

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/IMG_3071-1.jpg

Lets so those chewed up slammers!

here was it's first fish

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/slammerbass2.jpg

And one of it's biggest (gill hooked and tasted delicious!)

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/HUNTERMESTRIPER-1.jpg

Love slammers