Mustad 32796

[Time Bandit]

I have the Do-It Trokar Pro Swim Jig mold and have been substituting the Mustad 32796 in 5/0 into the 1/4 oz and 3/8 oz cavities for swim jigs and chatterbaits.  I've noticed a couple of times recently that the hooks are bending on good fish.  They haven't straightened out to the point that a fish got off.  However,  I'm in the process of getting my jigs to the point where I'm satisfied with them to sell them and I really don't want to see any bend in them.

  Normally I really like the premium Mustad jig hooks (the NP-BN series) and have had good luck with them and so I use them in a lot of applications.  

Has anyone else had this problem with the 32796?  I know sometimes a lot of hooks won't get tempered quite right and will experience either bending or breakage.

[EironBreaker]

I've gone to the Eagle Claw equivalent, I believe it is 2706.  Sharper and the point is just as strong in my opinion.  Better price and made in America.  Mustad's quality changed when they moved the plant to China several years ago.  Just my two cents.

[smalljaw]

Let me get this straight, you're using a 5/0 in a 1/4oz head and you are bending the hook???  I know you said it is only a little and I could see the 32798 bending but that hook is ridiculous for a moving bait, I could see if you are punching with a XXH power rod and 50lb braid but anything less makes me wonder.  Anyway, you shouldn't worry as most guys don't throw a chatterbait with tackle coming remotely close to capable of bending out that hook so there shouldn't be a problem.

[Time Bandit]

11 hours ago, smalljaw said:

Let me get this straight, you're using a 5/0 in a 1/4oz head and you are bending the hook???  I know you said it is only a little and I could see the 32798 bending but that hook is ridiculous for a moving bait, I could see if you are punching with a XXH power rod and 50lb braid but anything less makes me wonder.  Anyway, you shouldn't worry as most guys don't throw a chatterbait with tackle coming remotely close to capable of bending out that hook so there shouldn't be a problem.

I have this thing about using oversized hooks.  I'll use what the mold manufacturer calls for if it's a finesse application, but if it's not finesse, I almost always upgrade the hook at least one size and if I can go two and get away with it without seeing a fall off in lure performance (as tested in the swimming pool), I'll upgrade.  Generally, larger hooks have bigger gaps between the shank and the point and I like that.  Personal experience, I hook more fish and hook them in places where they are less likely to throw the hook.  

For instance, I use that 5/0 on that 1/4 oz swim jig head and put it on buzzbaits that I make (think similar to a Strike King Swinging Sugar Buzz) and from what I've found so far, about 60-70% of fish I've hooked on it, from 1 pounders to 5 pounders are hooked in that bony cheek plate in the side of their face.  Probably another 20% are hooked in the hard part of the roof of the mouth, and the remaining are hooked around the edge of the mouth somewhere.  

I fish chatterbaits and buzzbaits both on 30 lb braid on a 7'6" Seeker BS756 S-glass blank that I built.  I fish the swim jigs on a faster graphite rod on 30 lb test braid.  The most significant bending I've seen was probably 30 degrees worth of bend and oddly enough it came on a fish that I caught on the buzzbait.  And I didn't really set the hook hard.  Just reeled into the fish and then swept the rod to the side like I would a crankbait.  

 

Edited February 27, 2018 by Time Bandit