Hook Size

[rustedhook]

Going against the grain on this one. I have never been a fan of a heavy wire hooks and it seems that every manufacturer when they produce a hook with a wider gap they go up in hook length and hook diameter. I do understand the need for a heavy hook for short line fishing and using braid such as when flipping.  For me when I'm fishing a jig in deep water I want a thinner wire hook and I want a wide gap. Currently I'm taking a Mustad 6/0 32746 and bending it to 60 degrees to fit my mold. its wire diameter is .052. If you look at the Mustard 32786 4/0 60 degree its close in length and gap size as the 32746 but its diameter jumps up 8 thousands. Why not make a 60 degree the same as the 32746?

 

[mark poulson]

Check with Barlow's.

[Ogajiga]

https://barlowstackle.com/victory-10360bn-jig-hook-sizes-2-4-0/

4/0 = .053 but not a wide gap

Edited March 27, 2023 by Ogajiga

[JD_mudbug]

How about a VMC 731 black nickel jig hook, 60 degree, wide gap, light wire. The 4/0 is .047" wire diameter. The 3/0 is .043.

https://barlowstackle.com/VMC-7321-BN-Jig-Hooks-P3788/

https://www.jannsnetcraft.com/vmc-7321bn-jig-hooks-black-nickel

 

Or Gamakatsu 2014 jig hook, 60 degree, light wire, wide gap. The 4/0 is .048" wire diameter. The 3/0 is .044.

https://barlowstackle.com/Gamakatsu-2014-EWG-Jig-Hook-P418/

https://www.jannsnetcraft.com/830154 

Sometimes the Gamakatsu 2014 is listed as regular wire but it is thinner than .052"

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with bending hooks to fit your needs. I frequently do it to a wide gap hook with cork screw to fit short chubby soft plastics. I prefer not to. When you already have a supply that is close to what you need, my cheapness prevails.

I can usually find a hook to fit a particular need. You have to comb through a hook manufacturer's websites to find a particular hook and the gauge info. Paper catalogs are nice when you find a company that still uses them. Always keep track of the model number when you find what you like.

[Ogajiga]

Rusty, what mold are you using targeting what species ?

[rustedhook]

Sorry for the late reply.

Currently using using the do-it style S bass jig mold JKS 3-A-Y and a mold I made for hair jigs. Just for an example I have a Shawn Collins stand up jig mold that resembles a D& L Advantage jig. The 1/2 ounce uses a Mustad 4/0 with a wire diameter of 0.059. I would like this same size hook but with a diameter of 0.051. 

[Ogajiga]

Guessing you don't like the EWG design VMC 7321 or Gami 2014?  Also guessing you've found Mustad 32729 incompatible.  So your modified 32746 might be your best/only option.

Different strokes, I'd prefer a standard gap version of the 32786.  The Victory 10360  was supposed to interchange fit 32786 but the 2/0 needs bent to fit my mold.

[bassjiggin1955]

Try looking at Shorty's Hooks they may have a hook that may fit your mold. Doesn't hurt to look.

[Ogajiga]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/352502807265?epid=17011109535&hash=item5212cdfae1:g:wDwAAOSwj5BcNP20&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8IAn2lG0sl2tqRvUQ8Z9sU4ZeE2JpNDECB%2Fut2DE%2B%2BNdWdf8Zxtq2p%2BKt4kDKyu%2Fxod18vVkAJHdwW3rNmw6FnwCPugE9w8D%2B%2B5KTp4nuAjWNM7bBfrLixbHpJhncsDpZL%2FaOlc0P0T1X%2Fjx%2BLBJEHxUNmuhktDtKe4m1YmnBFu294hz1SQftfPPGWkVo4T7Ein4f66I%2F2E3JQy7%2FrtQUKORkZGJM2rvZJ8HAcQzVYqRNmyJslQJ2sIUg63oK5VheAn6usDtq4dHER0Q5jqvVcsiyyLTgB9wIpos3Z4ZN1OdWLwczAjRsh19AkgK4lJG1w%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6Sf8q3-YQ