[Sam Stump]

Quick question for everyone: What hooks do you use for saltwater flies? What do you like and dislike about them?

I use trusty Mustad 34007 and 34011 and need to restock, so I'm soliciting opinions.

Like: available in quantity, stainless steel
Dislike: needs to be sharpened often, wire seems a bit heavy.

Any comments?

Sam

 

[Shortylong01]

Sam: After years of sharpening and resharpening the Mustad 34007 and 34011 I have moved away from them for flies that I tie (for the most part)...

When fishing for large or especially hard fighting fish I usually tie with Gamakatsu, Owner, or Tiemco hooks... The Mustad Signature Series are also a BIG step above the hooks mentioned above.

I just feel better about the upgraded hooks.... but then I can only blame my poor knot tying when I lose a fish....[grin][grin]

 

[Bill O]

Sam,
I use 34007 and 34011 and a hook sharpener[smile] mostly. The more expensive ones are fine - Tiemco, etc., but I don't like paying a lot of money where it's not really necessary. There are some exceptions, but for the most part I go with the Mustads. There are plenty of other things to spend money on... [wink]

 

[Sam Stump]

I'm right with you on the confidence thing. I have dropped fish that felt solidly hooked up due to (my opinion) poor hook penetration.

I need to find a replacement for the 34007's and I'd like to add a short shank/wide gape style for shrimp/crabs/etc. I use the 34011 primarily for blues (flies tied on the rear 1/3 of the shank) and I guess I can live with that one, since I can't seem to find a 3x+ long saltwater fly hook anywhere. I'd also like to buy in 100s and not too expensive please [wink] But coming from 34007/34011 anything is expensive!

Thanks for your input.

Sam

 

[Shortylong01]

If you want to try a decent replacement for 34007 you might want to look into the Eagle Claw 254 SS.... They are sharp out of the box and about the same price as the 34007's.... The difference is that the Eagle Claw is a shorter shank than even the 34007 hooks....

 

[flies only]

3407 &34011 are what i use in the bay and light offshore. however my albie flies are tied on varivas . i like them but there are not being made anymore,i think. tuna flies go on tiemco 600's . the mustad siganture line has a trey combs style look to them. have tied with them but not fished them yet. hope this helps.[smile]