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Posts: 2024
| I wasn't happy with the VMC hooks that I bought last year and decided to try a new brand. I was going for a shorter gap and picked up the first ones I got at Thornes. They said Eagle Claw 774 (looked like Mustads to me), but I thought those had the curved points? Unlike bass fishing, I don't know muskie hooks very well. I like the O'Shag---- (sp?) design a lot. What do you guys like and why?
Also, maybe it's just me but the package I got said 4/0 and they really don't look like 4/0 hooks. Does anyone know of a bait with 4/0 hooks that I might be able to compare these to? What hooks do the Mag Lowriders or large Pacemakers have? |
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| I really like the Eagle Claw hooks. They are thinner, but very strong. That little end curve really does the job. The first year I used them, I was catching a bunch of fish on bucktails. There were many times where I hooked them right in the snout and the hook went right through. They are a little bit harder to sharpen with that curved tip, but once you get the hang of it, they really dig in. The extra angle whith that curve (I feel) really helps.
I also did not like VMC hooks...to fat from tip to barb, which I felt hurt penetration. They also sharpen down to quickly to where you have a very short distance between point and barb, making hook-ups even harder.
Steve |
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Posts: 723
| I feel as long as the hook doesn't give out under pressure, its a good hook, I sharpen till I bleed and a few more swipes and shes good.
The worst hook made will bend or twist I want something solid, not these chincy wire looking hooks, I can't begin to tell how many fish I have lost cause I was too lazy to change a hook on a new bait that wasn't up to par. Im still losin sleep.
I still can't believe that some manufacturers will send a bait out the door that won't hold a 30lb fish let alone the world record. especially how much you pay for that bait, just to buy new hooks right off and throw the others away.
Nock a buck or two off and sell it without hooks.  |
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Posts: 2024
| Are the Eagle Claw 774s the ones with the curved point? Some of the Mustads go by 3551. What does this hook look like? Anyone have any pictures of baits with an assortment of different hooks for comparison? |
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Posts: 32959
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Beav is somewwhat of a treble hook officianado, you out there, Beav? |
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Posts: 375
Location: In the slop! | The 374 has the curved point, 774's are strait. Reef Hawgs come with 774's, the 8 inch model has 5/0 the 6 inch has 3/0 for size comparison. These are the best hooks available for my money. |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | 774s are the straight point hook. They are the standard hook on Reef Hogs. I am using some on some of my baits now. They are thin strong and good hooking, but hard to find. |
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| In my opinion the hook you use depends on your bait size, action, and the equipment your using.
Examples:
Smaller baits such as Little Earnies and Depth Raiders - Rapala/VMC Size 3/0 4xStrong O'shaugh. (Strong enough to hold up but small enough not to foul on each other or kill action)
Large Jerks - Rapala/VMC Size 5/0 4xStrong O'Shaugh. The Eagle Claws welds have broke when using the heavy duty line and stout rods associated with jerk baits. I haven't had any issues with eagle claws with longer rods, but I stay away from them with jerkbaits. The VMC's also add a little extra weight which I like.
Small Jerks/Medium Size Baits - If I can use 5/0's I will. If 5/0 are to big and hurt the action or foul. I go with Mustad 3/0 Short Shank/Wide Gaps.
Topwater - If weight is an issue (which it often is with topwater) I will go with 5/0 Eagle Claws instead of VMC's because they are lighter. I will also do this with some of the baits I throw that require 5/0 hooks but can be thrown with an eight foot rod. (Because I do think the Eagle Claws have better penetration and I am not as worried about the weld giving way with longer softer rods.)
Note: When I am referring to eagle claws, I am not talking about the curved/beaked tipped hooks. I am talking about the straight ones. In my opinion, the beaked hooks decrease your initial hooking percentages significantly. However, once the fish is hooked, they will hold better than any other. In fact they hold too good. Another reason I don't like them is because I usually have to cut them all out every time I catch a fish. I would rather get more intial hook-ups and leave the part about keeping the fish on my line (once hooked) up to me and my skills (instead of missing out on all of those extra fish you missed to begin with because of the hook's design.)
My 2 cents.
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | 774's are my favorite for a variety of uses. I fish alot of rocky river systems and bang em around alot, where the heavy duty VMC's and my mustad round bends seem to dull, peen, and soften easily. The 774 Eagle claw stays sharp very very well through the beating put to them. I also like the fact that they are not so thick, and seem to stick fish much easier than most. I have been lobbying nsome of my favorite lure manufactures to use them with some good results. Shortys hooks has them, and if you do a search here, my cousin gave the phone number for them at some point. I, of course, misplaced it again. |
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Posts: 224
Location: Madison | I like VMCs a lot, but am not crazy about their 4x hooks. Those are tough little bastards, and take significantly more force to cut with a boltcutters. If you had a bad hook situation (swallowed bait) I feel it would take me too long to get the hooks out. So I just use the regular VMCs.
-d |
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Posts: 32959
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I'v always been a fan of the thinner wire hooks with the tight round bend radius, no matter the brand. I think I get better penetration from the sharp, thinner profile, and haven't straightened a hook out in over 20 years. |
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Pinnin' em down