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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | Well the season has come to a close and I am already counting the days until next season (150 left as of today), cabin fever is already setting in and season has only been closed 2 days. I am looking to change out almost all of the hooks on my baits before next season, I know which sizes should go on which baits but what is the best brand of sturdy treble hooks that are least likely to get straightened by the mighty musky? |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | mustad 3551s |
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Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | I've never had problems with Mustads either. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I use the 3551 Mustads in the bigger sizes for replacements on rubber baits and double 10's. I do have some Eagle Claw 774's in 4/0 and 5/0 that I like too. I bought the 774's for replacements on the small Pacemaker middle hook so it still "clacked" right.
These hooks don't cost an arm and a leg either.
curleytail |
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Posts: 2089
| The Eagle Claw 774 is a 4X hook in a thinner diameter wire . The 774 in a 5/0 and the 3551 in a 7/0 are my favorites. Some of the premium brands such as Gamakatsu and Owner have some wicked good hooks though. Check out some of the saltwater hooks and you'll find some applications for sure. The perfect hook? IMO , a 7/0 774 would be it. Or one of the new "China" round bends(awesome gap) built with American steel. Steve |
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Posts: 130
Location: Chicago | Mustad 3551. |
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| i also like mustad 3551 for their price but if you want something top notch try VMC-High Carbon, Cone Cut Treble Hooks
a real weapon they are very,very,very sharp out of the box,and they dont bend easily,like the others.
very serious treble hooks but they are not cheap |
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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | mota - 12/3/2008 1:45 AM
i also like mustad 3551 for their price but if you want something top notch try VMC-High Carbon, Cone Cut Treble Hooks
a real weapon they are very,very,very sharp out of the box,and they dont bend easily,like the others.
very serious treble hooks but they are not cheap
I have bought mustad 3551's in the past as well as the VCM hooks, those VCM's are like you said wicked strong, at this point in time price really isn't an issue unless I am paying like 1-2 dollars per hook, hell this addiction is expensive enough as it is why go cheap on the hooks. |
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| I think the 5/0 Mustad 3551's are too light. I have seen muskies straighten these hooks out casting Sledges, and that was on the strike within the first couple of jerks. Maybe they are okay on other types of lures but I have switched to the VMC cone cut or Mustad 35656BR - 3/0 extra strong wide bend. Never had any problems with these or reef hawg hooks, but I don't know who makes reef hawg hooks. I also like VMC 9626 4x strong in 2/0 or 3/0 for crankbaits. I think these come on Depthraiders. Just my 2 cents. |
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Posts: 2024
| Depends on the application, at least for me. Crankbaits get almost all new hooks usually 3/0 VMC cone cuts. Bucktails get either 5/0 Eagle Claw 774s or Mustad 3551s (like Steve I wish they made a bigger 774). Tail spin topwaters, Hawg Wobbler and creeper baits get VMCs, WTD topwaters get Mustad round bends (don't remember model #). Hellhounds and Phantoms gets 774s. Generally, anything with a wide body gets a Mustad round bend. |
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Posts: 323
Location: In the slop! | Another vote for a 7/0 774!!! |
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Posts: 2269
Location: SE, WI. | Guest; The hook on the reef hawg is a 3/0...774 eagle claw.
Why eagle claw does NOT make a 774 in a 6/0 or 7/0 is a huge mistake on their part...  |
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Posts: 392
Location: lake x...where the hell is it? | 3551's in 7/0 or 8/0 and owner stinger hooks in 5/0 and 4/0 always get my vote. i wish owner made them in 7/0 and 8/0. owners are some of the best hooks, you know why they call them owner? casue once you hook her, you owner her! |
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Posts: 1453
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | 3551s are about as cheap as you can buy....they are not as heavy as VMC 4x....but if you swap out the 3551s regularly, you should be fine. I would add that once you get into the 7/0 size the 3551s are as good as any...those are heavy duty hooks at that size no matter the brand....the 3/0 and 5/0 that some baits need, though, I would shy away from 3551
Edited by Cowboyhannah 12/5/2008 10:59 PM
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| The Owners are the best, but at $1.25/each I only put them on baits that are bad hookers.
The 774 Eagle Claw is the best "commercial" hook you can by 5/0 and below. There's rumor that EC will be making this hook in larger sizes under a different company in 6/0-8/0. Time will tell
I can't stand the Mustad hooks as they're too flimsy. Take a 3/0 3551 and you can wiggle the wire more easily then any other brand. They do make sizes and models that I buy, but if someone else made the same models I'd probably buy them. |
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| I need to replace a hook on my 10 in Weighted Suick. What size and brand do you recommend for that particular bait? Thanks |
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Posts: 2024
| 4/0 or 5/0 Eagle Claw 774 or 5/0 VMC Cone Cut. |
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Location: Sweden | I use Gamakatsu 13B4, Owner ST36BC and VMC 8650. But if a bait needs bigger hooks than 3/0 I use other brands. |
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Posts: 1636
| I would be careful with any Owner hooks. I've had quite a few BREAK, not bend in cold weather. |
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Posts: 42
Location: Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin | VMC cone cut, hands down the best I have used! |
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| Gama's and Owners are SUPER SHARP, but are probably the worst hook I have ever used.
Way, way, way to brittle. I have broken many of these with pliers and have seen just as many break while the fish is trashing in the net.
I would never suggest a gama or a owner. They will break, often. |
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Location: Sweden | Guest - 12/17/2008 5:20 PM
Gama's and Owners are SUPER SHARP, but are probably the worst hook I have ever used.
Way, way, way to brittle. I have broken many of these with pliers and have seen just as many break while the fish is trashing in the net.
I would never suggest a gama or a owner. They will break, often.
I have had hooks break too. But that was with VMC, not Gama or Owner. |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | I like to replace the hooks on my small crank baits (Stalkers, Cranes, etc.) and Rattle Traps with Owner's.
I imagine that the sharpness of the Owner hooks will compensate for the diminished strength (at least in my own mind) of a standard, smaller hook.
Try casting those spring Rattle Traps with Owner hooks on 'em. Now that's a confidence builder ...
I've has many VMC hooks snap and break in various parts of the hook. I think VMC is a more affordable yet inferior product.
I will add, however, that I've never landed any BIG fish on a bait with an owner hook, so it sounds like I have a few surprises in store if I continue to use them ...
Craig
Edited by cjrich 12/18/2008 9:01 PM
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Has anyone noticed that the 3551's dull quickly? I love the strength for thickness that I get with them. I also love that they sharpen easily. But, it seems like every 50 casts I have to sharpen them. And, they get to the point that the point is thick because I've shaved off so much metal. I'm looking for something in the similar thickness that will stay sharp longer...anyone know of such a hook? |
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Best brand of hooks?