Hey all. I re-read the article in October's STS about re-rigging salmon plugs, and some of the posts here on the subject. Tried to "...lever out.." hook eyes on one of my Kwikfish last night to replace the split rigs with swivels, and ended up really screwing it up. By the end, the hook hangers got all mangled and one of them actually broke off. Expensive mistake. Anyone know any tricks to make this go more smoothly? Also, anyone know similar techniques for doing the same to Warts? BTW, you can't try to unscrew the hangers, they're not threaded, but embedded. Must figure this out soon, I'm headed to the Drano zoo in about a week.
Thanks,

Matt-
If you were trying this to K-13's, it does not work as the rear hook is embedded. I learned this the hard way as well...

Ryan-
Do you think it would it work to just add the swivel to the split ring, or does that put the hook too far back?

I used Vise-grips to open mine up. Grap one side of the eye and pull open. Much better leverage. Even on the K13s.... you don't really need to screw them out any.

cabellas sells K14,15 and 16's for only like four or five bucks a pop through their mail-order catalog. makes those mistakes less costly!

Shhhhh... but Fred Meyers has em on sale for 3.99 right now.....k13-k16. But you didnt hear it from me!

I put a 3 bead chain swivel on the split ring on the center eye and then another smaller split ring for the hook then take a pair of pliers and bend the rear eye sideways untill,I can get a 3 bead swivel on then bend it back and pinch it closed if necessary then another split ring and hook.I use 5/0 single octopus hook Gammie's or Owener's.This is a setup that works really well.
Bob

Wal Mart has em for a buck.

Rerigged a Silver with Chartruese K-14 with a split ring to a 4bead to a split ring with a 3X monster treble. I bored out a chartruese clown #8 (I think) corkie and forced it on to the shank of the hook. Herring wrapped it. It wasn't in the water for 5 minutes before "FISH ON".

That was the one that put Washington over the top for F4. Thanks for the tip RT :p