Hook Size & Style Help Needed

[yellowfin213]

Hello All,
Just trying to gather a few opinion’s on hook size and styles that have worked best for off-shore trolling and chunking.

Thanks,

[TAT-TUNA]

I use a few styles..and brands...I do use sst last longer dosnt rust ect...Cost more but worth It to me and the stay sharper longer alot longer..I use 8/o and 9/0 ...

I like the mustad 7691s and 7732 I like them with the welded eye..Product News (http://www.mustad.no/catalog/products.php?id=11)

I alos like the mustad jobu big game hooks..

[torquetowers]

Small baits I like a 7692, 7-9's, reason is they are made of a smaller wire which makes for a smaller ring which allows you to pass the eye throught the gill plate easier. The ultimate YFT hook for trolling by far.

Bigger baits a 7691 will do the trick any where from 8-10's, the 10 are for horses and med BFT (100-200#).

I for get the needle eye # of the top of my head but they are used in cedar plugs and wire baits.

I like the steel hook they do loose there edge after a trip or two, but I am sharp hook addict so we sharpen hook daily and color the tips with a red magic marker so
we know when they were sharpened and it helps stop the rust issue. Plus if you loose a billfish and it has a SS hook in it's jaw it going to be there for a long time. Where as a steel hook will rust out very fast.

[Darren]

7691DT. They have a small brazed eye and the duratin finish holds up pretty well. Always sharpen them before use, even if it's their first time out of the box. I like the 7691S, but for some reason it has a huge eye on it and doesn't rig in a hoo very well at all.

[Chumlord]

I use 7691s almost exclusively size 8/0 and 7/0. The 7691s run a bit bigger than the regular 7691 so I drop down one size. I have no problem with the eye size when rigging. The SS hooks are expensive but they save a bunch of time when preparing they don't rust and stay very sharp the duratin finish hooks do hold up OK but unfortunately they are not sharp at all and once you sharpen them the duratin will be removed where you've sharpened and you will need to sharpen after every single trip. recommend coloring the tips after sharpening with a Sharpie marker, two coats, again this will need to be done after every single trip. According to what I have read regarding the rusting out of a hook left in a fish particularly billfish is that the wound from the hook will actually open up and the hook will fall out long before the hook rusts out. My only concern with SS hooks is whether a pair of bolt cutters will cut a SS hook if one would happen to get stuck in a crew member.

[27 sailfish]

A great hook for most fishing with leaders up to 130 lbs is the Mustad # 3407 (plated) or the #34007 (SS) in 7/0 to 9/0 sizes. It works well for fish up to 100 lbs or so on 30 or 50 lb gear. It is a nice all around hook.

It is too light for big sharks/tuna though.

[HIT N RUN]

Mustad 7692 DT 8/9/10. Same as 91 but a bit more stealthy + better over all penatration do to thiner wire size. Still has a welded eye. Never had one fail yet (knock) on wood. This is & has been my hook of choice for years. Called southern Tuna/Tarpon hook. DT stands for dura tin. Favorite size for med hoo's is the #9. #10 for big baits & deep rig & #8 for small Hoo's. I get them bulk for $1 each in Wanchese. Most obx local charters also use them I've talked to.

[cstallin]

I also use 3407 Mustad 9/0. 100 cost about $20. Chunking, I use 2X 9/0 circles hooks. Never had a hook failure using these hooks. I manage to catch a few fish now and then. Craige (Mary E)

[Seagrass]

Mustad 7766 7-9