Need Stronger Hook!

[junyaah]

I made some round head jig heads with a 2/0 eagle claw hook. The problem is, I had a big fish pull me across the river and straighten my hook. I know if I would have had a stronger hook, I would have caught that fish.

 

Any recomendations of hooks that will work in a do it round jig mold for 1/8 ounce? Thanks.

[cadman]

You will have to be more specific as far as  what mold model number you have. Did the mold use aberdeen hooks? If so you could use Mustad black nickle hooks, Post model number and you will get many hook suggestions from others here,

[Musky Glenn]

A different take on the same subject, light hooks require less effort to set, but also require a lighter drag to prevent hook problems. Like Clint Eastwood said, "A man has to know his limitations". Then again I could just be completely out of my element. Good luck finding a better hook. Musky Glenn

[junyaah]

Sorry it took so long to reply. Worked graveyard last night. I used the eagle claw 570 or 575 hooks they are ok for crappie and smaller fish but I need something stronger.

[Basseducer]

junyaah,

You could try the Eagle Claw 570 Black Platinum or the Mustad 32746 Black Nickle. You might have to elongate the hook eye slot to accommodate the 32746 as it has a longer eye leg.

[gonfishn]

What bassdeucer said

[smalljaw]

Sorry it took so long to reply. Worked graveyard last night. I used the eagle claw 570 or 575 hooks they are ok for crappie and smaller fish but I need something stronger.

 

Here is the problem, most 90 degree jig hooks are Aberdeen which means they are meant to bend out straight. I have landed 5lb river smallmouth with the 570 black platinum, and I have a picture of a friend with a 6lb 10oz smallmouth he caught on Lake St. Clair with a hair jig I gave him that had a size #2 matzuo sickle hook which bends easier than the EC 570. When guys run in to problems with 2/0 hooks bending it is because they use strong line with tight drags, my buddy started using braid with a leader when fishing tubes, we always made tube heads with 570s and using 8lb line with the drag set we landed fish, until my buddy used braid. He found that 20# braid was as thin as 6lb line so he was using that with a 10lb fluorocarbon leader and it didn't take long for him to begin bending hooks. There are heavy duty hooks that may work, the Gamakatsu 604 is one that you may get to work, you might have a little flashing but nothing too bad, lately I've been using Owner 5313 which are a short shank so you won't want those, and the Owner 5318 which is an awesome hook but it too is a light wire hook that will bend out but try the 604 in your mold, that should be strong enough, if it isn't you need a different mold.

[goodtimesfishing]

Then hook I would recommend is the mustad 32833. I understand the mold you have is for light wire hook, however I have found it very easy to get my molds that call for light wire(570) to accept the mustad 32833. Something you might check into.

[smalljaw]

Then hook I would recommend is the mustad 32833. I understand the mold you have is for light wire hook, however I have found it very easy to get my molds that call for light wire(570) to accept the mustad 32833. Something you might check into.

 

There is no way that hook goes into a mold that takes a 570 without modifying the mold with a file or dremel or squeezing the mold closed in a vise with that hook in it. The Gamakatsu 604 I recommended has a similar wire diameter in the 4/0 as the Mustad 32833 has in a 1/0 and the OP needs a 2/0 hook. I don't mean to sound nasty but the guy wants to use a stronger hook in a mold designed for Aberdeen hooks, the you recommended is a salmon/steelhead hook that is too big, I know because I tried that a long time ago, it can be done but you'll never get another 570 type hook in the mold ever again and it will still have flashing unless it is done right because the wire diameter is much larger than the 570. I have used the 604 and I would recommend the Owner 5313 but that is a short shank and in a 3/0 it is too heavy so by process of elimination the 604 would be the best bet in my opinion.

[goodtimesfishing]

It is so easy, done it several times and it has worked with zero issue every time. What I do is this. Doing only one cavity at a time set heavy wire hook in cavity and carefully close mold making sure hook stays in place. once closed....while holding closed slowly start tapping it closed with rubber mallet. I think a vise would work best as long as you go slow but I have no vise and the tapping it closed has worked every time. I have done this with round head mold, pony head mold, ultra minnow mold, recessed eye socket round head mold. I only use the mustad 32833 for the most part so it was a no brainer to make these molds accept the hooks. I do sometimes need to use matzuo sickle hooks (small diameter shank). I take a dap of red high heat RTV and place in the grove...smooth out, let dry, then down center make a slice in RTV with razor blade. This allows the shank to fit tight with no flash when using on smaller diameter hook shank. I also use the RTV to fill in the area of the mold that forms the keeper for rubber baits/skirts so that I have a bare shank for tying. Super easy.

[junyaah]

Thanks guys for the help. I think I'll try the mustad hooks. I have a dremmel so if I need to make it bigger I can.