rustedhook Posted January 15, 2020 Report Share Posted January 15, 2020 Wonder if I could get your thoughts on this hook. I'm going to make a mold to fish the Damiki rig on. Going to use a 2/0. Which is the better Eagle Claw or Matzuo? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ute Posted January 15, 2020 Report Share Posted January 15, 2020 The only Matzuo that you will find are close outs, they are no longer in business. In my opinion the Eagle Claw Li'l Nasty is a much better hook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfrog Posted January 15, 2020 Report Share Posted January 15, 2020 Lil Nasty is my choice unless I'm doing lures that go to toothy fish or salt water . Brown hooks of any kind or make are not found in my inventory. Just saying. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jjschmitt Posted January 16, 2020 Report Share Posted January 16, 2020 Eagle Claws are my choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted January 16, 2020 Report Share Posted January 16, 2020 I really like the Eagle Claw Lil Nasty but it is a really light wire so be aware of that. Matzuo is out of business but even if they weren't I'd still go Eagle Claw. The wire is just as light as the Matzuo so you need very little pressure to get it to penetrate. I also gave up on Matzuo because of the sheer number of bad hooks and by bad I mean unusable. I think before you settle on one hook you should check out some others as well, Mustad makes the 32500 that goes up to a 2/0, it is a sickle style but has more rounded bends so it is a sort of hybrid style but it is also a little heavier wire than the Lil Nasty. I don't know how much longer until it is available but Eagle Claw is coming out with the L570 Pro-V hook, it is a laser sharp 570 with the sickle bends. The 570 wire is a little heavier than the lil nasty but for a Damiki rig the lil nasty will work well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustedhook Posted January 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2020 Thanks for all the replies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustedhook Posted January 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2020 23 hours ago, smalljaw said: I really like the Eagle Claw Lil Nasty but it is a really light wire so be aware of that. Matzuo is out of business but even if they weren't I'd still go Eagle Claw. The wire is just as light as the Matzuo so you need very little pressure to get it to penetrate. I also gave up on Matzuo because of the sheer number of bad hooks and by bad I mean unusable. I think before you settle on one hook you should check out some others as well, Mustad makes the 32500 that goes up to a 2/0, it is a sickle style but has more rounded bends so it is a sort of hybrid style but it is also a little heavier wire than the Lil Nasty. I don't know how much longer until it is available but Eagle Claw is coming out with the L570 Pro-V hook, it is a laser sharp 570 with the sickle bends. The 570 wire is a little heavier than the lil nasty but for a Damiki rig the lil nasty will work well. Looked on Eagle Claw's web site and it showed the L570VP PRO-V JIG HOOK being available July 2019. Don't see where any one has it. Its listed up to a 4/0 but doesn't show how to buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted January 17, 2020 Report Share Posted January 17, 2020 They were unveiled at ICAST in July of 2019 but they haven't been released for retail as of yet. I was told Eagle Claw has not provided a timeline to when they will be available either. I make a 1/16oz and 1/8oz ball head jig with a 3/0 Eagle Claw Lil Nasty for finesse style swim baits and they work really well with 8# line and a medium power spinning rod. I don't lose fish on them, if they get the hook the only way they get off is if the line breaks. If you are making a head specifically for the Damiki rig then the lil nasty is perfectly fine, the wire is stronger than the Matzuo and just as sharp if not sharper. If you feel you want a little bit stronger hook try the Mustad 32500 skip jack hook, it is made with slightly heavier wire. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustedhook Posted January 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2020 Thanks smalljaw. I'll try the little nasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
