Jig Hooks????

[Kdog]

I just finished a special order of jig heads using Gamakatsu hooks. Other than needing to modify a mold to mak them work, they seem like good hooks but are they really that good? I paid including shipping $42 per hundred yes hundred.

Anyhow, I remember when I bought them seeing all the new names of hooks available. So I thought it might be interesting to start a discussion. Here are most of the commonly available brands I ran across

Daiichi
Eagle Claw
Lazer Trokar
M-Art
Matzuo
Mustad
Owner
Partridge
Spintech Hooks
Sohumi
TMC
Tru-Turn
VMC
Xpoint

Now, not all are available as jig hooks but I tried to eliminate those that do not have 90 degree jig hooks. Additionally, many jig hooks are not available in sizes smaller than 1/0. I was shocked at what I paid for the Gamis but some of these hooks go up to a dollar each and that is for a size 1/0.

I've always used Eagle Claw or Mustad and have recently converted to Matzuo Sickles because they are so sharp. I also try to stay below $25 per thousand which I can usually do with these brands. So my question is how many feel the super premium hooks are worthwhile and if so, do you use them for everday fishing knowing full well that you can easily loose 20 or jigs in a day of fishing.

 

[Hawnjigs]

Any brand hook will catch fish, but my favorite personal use hook remains Mustad 32833. The design incorporates multiple features I like over standard jig hooks - forged heavy wire, slightly longer shank, shorter eye leg, fold resistant point, among others. Sure, its 4x the price of Sickles, but still less than half the price of Gamis.

 

[Fatman]

A lot depends on where you fish also - if I was jigging for bass I'd be using a heavier hook if in the brush. But I've fished tube jigs on 3/0 aberdeen 32756 and landed smallies up to 6 1/2 lbs. Same hooks have caught pike up to 14 lbs. My bass jigs I don't pour myself I got them from Bass Pro Shops. I have bags of 1/8th, 1/4th oz. ball and tube heads that I poured years ago on Mustads, EC's and VMC hooks, but where I'm at now don't have need of them unless I get up to Lake Champlain with my nephew in the boat.

Only hooks I've bought lately are the Matzuo's in black nickle sickles, and some True-Turn red snelled hooks which I like, but also have several other brands in snells. My Mustad and EC hooks are all old stock (pre 1990) - but from the reports on the new EC lightwire hooks might pick up a few hundred and try them out.

Have a few Daiichi fly hooks that I traded for on one of my fly tying boards and while they are nice hooks, I still use a lot of the old Mustad fly hooks which are sometimes tough to find.

 

[Ron Don]

Ive buying the newer eagle claw L570BP. These are for my personal use. They are sharper than sickles and have bigger barbs. They are a fairly light wire hook which is a plus for how I use them.

I bought a bunch of 3/0 sohumis that are good for the price but aren't the sharpest hooks.

 

[Bucko]

I mainly use mustad. I do use some gamis and am getting requests for trokars. But at $450 for 1000, that's quite an investment. For panfish jigs I just use either eagle claw or sickle.

 

[Lost Pole]

Ive buying the newer eagle claw L570BP. These are for my personal use. They are sharper than sickles and have bigger barbs. They are a fairly light wire hook which is a plus for how I use them.

I bought a bunch of 3/0 sohumis that are good for the price but aren't the sharpest hooks.

Sharper than sickles and a lighter wire? Something isn't adding up. One or the other is what I've been told.
Hold on up to your bicep and well go from there.

 

[Kdog]

I tried a few of the jigs with the Gamis they get snagged just fine and break off just as easy as my sickles. Fishing an area called the rock pile. I was kinda hoping the thicker hooks would not stick in the rocks but they grab just as fast and just as tight.

Actually was an old school house when the reservoir was impounded. It is surrounded by trees and submerged timber and is a great hole for both walleye and crappie just depends on depth. Few fish it though as it is easy to snag and hard to get fish out of. I can get the fish out, but snag way too often. My estimate is 5 mins per jig. But have limited on walleye in that hole in 15 mins. Crappie usually take a bit longer but 30 fish vs 6 is understandable. We have limited out, 2 men in 40 minutes not often but on those special days (overcast, SW Wind and slight chop), it can happen. If you snag, best change rods and move to other side of boat. when we have 6 rods snagged break off and move to other side of pile.

 

[Kdog]

Ron Don, I will special order and no way will I inventory the super premiums. A guy on ebay has a good deal though http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bulk-Lazer-Trokar-Jig-Hook-TK800-Pack-of-25-50-100-250-/221372788940

 

[JSC]

The newer Eagle Claw black nickle - platnum black --- models are super sharp and highly corrosion resistance.
Price is well in line ..

Just my 2 cents worth ( you know 2 cents is really not worth much any more -- remember when you could buy something with it. course thats been a l o n g time ago)