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Hooks

3K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  FishHawk 
#1 ·
This falls more under the category of WTF, What The F, so here it is. 2 seasons ago I started tying with some Varivas 990S hooks. They`re strong as an Ox, needle sharp and make a nice looking fly. Last winter when I heard they weren`t going to be available anymore I rushed to buy up all I could. Last season I started out with dozens of new flies tied on these hooks and a troubling pattern started to emerge. I never dropped so many fish in my life. Not missed hits, not fighting errors, just plane dropped fish! I`d have them on for 5- 10 seconds and then, gone, for no apparent reason. This fall, Blackie at the Den, turned me on to the Mustad Signature hooks. They`re pretty sharp and x stong and about 4 bucks cheaper, when you tie as many as I do that adds up to a lot of cash. I also like the Gammi SC15`s but the wire is thin. Anyone know of someone looking for a deal on about 800 of the 990`s ?
On another topic. I`m starting to get my act together for a step by step for a couple of flies that I swear by. Gotta get the pics shot and organize the text and then find someone who can put it all together in post form.
First snow of the seasons comming tomorrow and I`ve allready got about 6 dozen of my go to Clousers tied!
Slinger
 
#2 ·
Steve, I think it's the design of the hook point. I too am a big fan of the Signatures. When we fished that UDL beach this Fall I nicked the Varivas hook on a rock. The point bent rather quickly. Could be that the hooks you got were not that sharp. Just my .02. Looking forward to your step by step. FishHawk :smokin:
 
#3 ·
Steve,

My guess is that eBay may be your best option for something like that. I would say you might only get back half of what you paid for them though. I would be happy to post them under my name if you don't have an account. I haven't done much business there but I do have good feedback. Call me if you want to go that route.

Sean
 
#5 ·
Pete, too small for your needs. Largest I have is 1/0, down to 4`s. I had an interesting conversation with Capt. Ray about this and he asked if it was only with the Clousers that it happened. After some thought he`s right, it only happens with the eyed flies the regular flies work just fine. It must have somthing to do with the way the bend is curved and the dumbell eyes together cause the hook to pop out.
Slinger
 
#7 ·
BigDave said:
Steve,

FYI those Gami SC15s won't bend out. I thought the same thing when I started using them but have never had one bend. Used them on harkers albies with no problems while the 811s failed frequently....

I agree they are very strong. I did have one size 1 bend open but it was on SBFT. Size 1/0 and up never had a problem with them. Its my understanding that the 2/0 is the standard for the Tarpon specialists.

Steves point about the clousers makes sense though and I bet may create similar issues with the SC15s although my guess is not as pronounced. These hooks to me are almost a hybrid between standard and circle hooks. My guess is that the clouser eyes cause the hook point to bend down away from the fishes mouth when you go to set the hook and you either get a bad set or a missed fish many times. I have always used standard shank straight hooks for anything with lead eyes and after this discussion think I will continue with that.

Sean
 
#8 ·
I prefer standard straight shank hooks for just about everything. The only exception would be the Gami SL12S which was the ticket for SBFT.

Steve if you're looking for a strong straight shank hook TMC make an 800s which is thick wire and as sharp as they come. Good for clousers. I have never been a fan of the Varivas or Mustad Sig Series hooks. I don't like the sem-circle shape and the ones I have used have short points that are not sticky-sharp like TMC and Gami.
 
#9 ·
Tiemco

I'm an 811s fan from my coho days out west but even more so in striper country, thin wire but high quality allow and very strong. Light as could be and razor sharp. Great penetration, easy casting, allows lighter eyes for proper positioning on the flats - IMHO the flat's anglers choice but I use it for all-around applications.

Converted quite a few thin wire non-believers with this great Tiemco product, but I'll agree not many thin wire hooks can pass muster. The 811s is an exception.

I find this hook has excellent holding charateristics even with the barb completely removed (I often grind them down with a dremel tool) where many other hook designs don't hold well without a barb.

Worth the extra $ in my book.
 
#11 ·
Funny, but I love the 990s and use them quite a bit. I would say that in my experience they hold fish better than some other hooks I've tried, but, to be fair, I haven't used them with upside down, clouser style flies. I particularly like them for bunker patters or other wide bodied baits, because the slightly heavier wire (at least 2/0 and 3/0) helps keel a fly with a lot of bucktail. I generally like a lighter wire too, but something about the Varivas appeals to me, and it is a light wire in sizes 1/0 and below. The 994S, a longer shank version, is also great for baitfish and squid patterns.

I like the 811S too, although I often prefer a shorter shank. If you want a really light hook that is super strong, try the spinner bait hooks that some of the flatwing tyers use, like an Eagle Claw 253N. They rust like hell, but they are super strong, take a point well when sharpened, and weigh nothing. I actually got out the scale and compared and they are significantly lighter. A 3/0 only weight 8 grains.
 
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