I do NOT change the hooks out, because it does affect the action! I have caught 2 8's, 2 5' and a 6 on the same YM (1/4 oz) in 2000 w/o having any hook problems. I just back off the drag a little bit and let the fish play themselves out, thus, no hook problems. The 1/4 oz. is much different action than the 1/2 oz.is. Same way with the 3/8s oz. bait. I have 14 of the 3/8s oz. and it is often better than the 1/4 or 1/2 oz. baits. I can spit water about 8' with the 1/4 oz and about 10-12' with the 3/8s oz. 1/2 oz. doesn't anywhere near that. BTW, when I stripped the 1/4 oz. YM, it is also the same bait as the Rico and Don Iovino Splash It. Or it was back when I stripped all 3 down to a clear bait. Hope this helps.

Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Don't own any yellow magic but have a few kvd splash, haven't tied on a popper in about a year till a few weeks back and it worked out pretty good She went 9.56 she may look small but I'm 6-3 and 300lb+

Thanks for all the replies. I'll be trying all of it.

BTW turbo2nr nice fish.

Thanks

I unfortunately lost the lake fork tackle version of this on the last day of fishing. If you see one floating in steamboat shores, snag it for me lol. It got caught up in some lily pads and needless to say , next thing I seen and felt was the unfortunate thump of the trolling motor on my line. I cried but then realized I still had a yellow magic in my tackle box. But the lake fork lure was what I caught my first top water on.

Guess I'll have to replace at least one hook. Fish flopped and buried one in my hand and had to push it through and cut it off. They're sharp little boogers.