Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Wire Flipping Hook

[Jeff Hahn]

I bought a pack of the 4/0 Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Wire Flipping hooks.  (Here's what they look like: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Hack_Attack_Heavy_Cover_Flipping_Hooks_4pk/descpage-SKHAFH.html

 

The 4/0 is the smallest size they sell, but it's a little big for the baits that I want to use it with.  I'm wanting a hook like the Hack Attack Heavy flipping hook, but in smaller sizes.  Other companies make a similar hook, but that I like.

 

So, I took a look at the Mustad spinnerbait hooks that I use to build bladed jigs. They look a whole lot like the Hack Attack hook and, of course, they come in smaller sizes. I did check the eyes and they are pinched very tightly shut, so I didn't think 50 pound braided line I use would slip through the gap int he hookeye. However, I did find one that had a rough edge, which is no big deal when making a spinnerbait or bladed jig, but would be if they were used for flipping. But, they are bright silver and don't have a keeper. I may have to do some homespun engineering and experimenting.

 

I took a 3/0 Mustad spinnerbait hook with me to the lake this morning. I snelled it and caught several fish on a plastic worm. Then, I noticed that the first 2 wraps had pulled into the tiny gap in the hookeye. When I got home, I mixed some JB Weld and used it to close the gap in the hookeye and cover any rough spots.

 

Then, the JB Weld didn't set properly. I don't know if I didn't mix it evenly or if it was just too old to work. I took the JB Weld off the hooks and applied some 5 minute epoxy. It set up nicely and appears to be exactly what I wanted. I also thought about putting some shrink tubing below the hookeye that would block the tiny gap in the hookeye. I tried it on one hook. To make it work I would have to tie my line over the top of it. Probably not a big deal. But, I think the epoxy will work well enough that I don't have to fool around with the shrink tubing.

 

Any other suggestions from you experts?

Edited July 18, 2015 by Jeff Hahn

[Vodkaman]

The epoxy solution looks the best solution. Too much fiddling and limitations with the heat shrink.

If you only have a few hooks to do, then the 5 min epoxy is a good solution. If you want to do fifty or more, then a slower epoxy will allow you to do larger batches. This is the kind of job that you only want to do once a year.

Another solution is to thread wrap, but again, labor intensive, shouldn't have even mentioned it.

Mainly I just wanted to say good job - that you thought the problem through and came up with good solutions.

Dave

[JimP]

How about tying the knot then a drop of any of the UV fly head cements.  You could do several then step outdoors on a sunny day (or any time if you have a UV source) and in a couple of seconds finished.

 

Some fly fishermen use the UV head cement to reinforce the fly line to leader connection.

Edited July 18, 2015 by JimP

[Jeff Hahn]

I know that some guys do the knot trick on other hooks that have a gap in the eye.  I do like the thread wrapping idea.  It does take more time.  But, I'd rather do that and know it was done right.

[Vodkaman]

Jeff - thread wrapping would be the way I go for sure, even without the wrapping tools, but I would only have to wrap a dozen or so.

Dave

[mark poulson]

Maybe some gap-filling super glue would work, and be faster.

When I first started fishing fat Ikas on Gami wide gap hooks, I used 30lb braid, until I set the hook once and nothing.  I reeled in a perfectly tied Palomar knot with no more hook.  Just at that moment the bass jumped in front of me, trying to shake Ika and hook from it's jaw.

I've tried tying a knot with thicker mono, cutting both ends off close, and sliding the know down to block the gap.  It worked, but it took more time.

 

I've been using the VMC flipping hook, which already has a dab of epoxy at the eye bend, and has a great keeper, too.  The best part is they are cheaper than the other major manufs., and hold up fine.

[Jeff Hahn]

Just an update.  I went back to the tackle store where I  purchased the original pack of 4/0 Strike King Hackney Flipping Hooks.  I had bought their last pack and they had not yet restocked.  So, I looked around and bought a pack of the 30 VMC Heavy Wire Flipping Hooks.  It turns out that these are the exact same size as the 4/0 Hackney hooks.  So, I do have 4 more hooks of the same size, but none in a smaller size.  And, the VMC heavy wire hook does not come in a 2/0 size, as far as I can determine.

[RayburnGuy]

They make a Lazer Trokar Monster Flippin' hook in a 3/0.............................. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lazer_Trokar_Monster_Flippin_Hook/descpage-MF.html

 

As well as a Lazer Claw Flippin' Hook....................... http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Eagle_Claw_Lazer_Flippin_Hook_5pk/descpage-FLIK.html

 

Also an Eagle Claw Lazer Finesse hook in sizes 1/0 to 5/0........................... http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Eagle_Claw_Lazer_Finesse_Worm_Hook_5pk/descpage-FLLF.html

 

Here's a VMC Ike Approved Heavy Duty Flippin' hook in a 3/0................. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Ike_Approved_Heavy_Duty_Flippin_Hook_4pk/descpage-VMCHDFH.html

 

Here's a Gammy Finesse Heavy Cover hook in size 1 to 3/0.................. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Finesse_Heavy_Cover_Hook_4pk/descpage-GHSM.html

 

Plus several more. Just go to http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Worm_Hooks/catpage-TTWH.html

 

Ben

[Jeff Hahn]

They make a Lazer Trokar Monster Flippin' hook in a 3/0.............................. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lazer_Trokar_Monster_Flippin_Hook/descpage-MF.html

 

As well as a Lazer Claw Flippin' Hook....................... http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Eagle_Claw_Lazer_Flippin_Hook_5pk/descpage-FLIK.html

 

Also an Eagle Claw Lazer Finesse hook in sizes 1/0 to 5/0........................... http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Eagle_Claw_Lazer_Finesse_Worm_Hook_5pk/descpage-FLLF.html

 

Here's a VMC Ike Approved Heavy Duty Flippin' hook in a 3/0................. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Ike_Approved_Heavy_Duty_Flippin_Hook_4pk/descpage-VMCHDFH.html

 

Here's a Gammy Finesse Heavy Cover hook in size 1 to 3/0.................. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Finesse_Heavy_Cover_Hook_4pk/descpage-GHSM.html

 

Plus several more. Just go to http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Worm_Hooks/catpage-TTWH.html

 

Ben

Thanks.  I already checked out most of those models.