Expensive vs cheap hooks

[Bernie Keefe]

A very sharp hook might be the most important part of my gear, what would you rather have? An expensive super sharp hook or would a cheap hook with a good file work for you.

[Lawrence Luoma]

I'll take a hook that I can sharpen. I sharpen every hook I pull out of the package before it hits my jig box. Always keep a file on me. A sharp hook to me means the difference of winning a tourney and not so if I can't touch up with file then it don't go.

[leechlake]

I would have to put good hooks in the category of "must have" and of all the money spent in the pursuit of fish I'd guess it's a minimal percentage of the cost. A dozen shiners costs about the same as a pack of Gamagatsu hooks and the hooks will last 5 times longer than the minnows and those hooks cost only twice as much as the cheapies.

Also I hate losing fish and if I get an edge with a hook I will take it.

[Alagnak]

It only takes a couple more bucks to go first class. Some of us view the hook as the most important link but equally important as the line. Do you buy bargain bin line? I usually buy the best hooks AND keep a file handy and touch up as many times as I can if the point has been sacrificed. Sometimes when they are bent over you have to toss them- oh well. When you sit all day or all season for that ONE bite of a trophy- I don't want to lose it on a bad knot, cheap hook, or chitty line. If I still lose at least I feel I gave it my best shot. It also depends on what I'm fishing for. I'm not usually using gamis for spring suckers.

[Mr.Seaguar]

You can find gamakatsu for $14 a 100. Why even bother sharpening them for that money?

[JohnMickish]

A good hook any day. I prefer Mustad hooks. I replace mine anytime they are bent. I don't risk a broken hook by straightening it out.

[Bernie Keefe]

I prefer to start with a great hook. I prefer Trokar's, they are a little spendy but with the total cost of any trip its minimal. In my opinion the hook is the first point of release, the knot second and the line third. All three of these can be controlled by using quality products.

[kfk]

Why spend hundreds of dollars on a fishing trip and to skimp on hooks that cost literally pennies apiece?

Buy the best hooks you can get.

[Tom Sawyer]

I always touch up jig hooks with a file before they touch the water, but don't even consider it with live bait hooks. They get tossed after I feel them loosing there point, or if the paint begins to chip. Steel colored hooks become gold and painted ones nickel; time to toss them. Especially if they ever get bent, either by removing them from a fish or from a snag.

Gamakatsu, Mustad Ultra Point, Owner Cutting Point, and Daiichi, are a few premium brands I would suggest buying. The sharpening process used by the better brands just can't be beat; it's similar to how an edge is put on surgical steel. Beware of cheap brands steel. It's not worth saving a buck, when it could be your best fish ever that bites next.

[Northlander]

I start out with a good VMC or Gama hook and if they get bent or dull they get tossed. Only hooks I sharpen are on spoons, sticks/cranks and other such lures. Even then I change them out every few years or so.

[Fred_Bear]

A very sharp hook might be the most important part of my gear, what would you rather have? An expensive super sharp hook or would a cheap hook with a good file work for you.

Bernie, do you know of anywhere online to get tube jigs that hang horizontal and have a strong, big hook? I can only find the horizontal ones with thin wire hooks.

[S. Thompson]

Fred, after the advice I got last month from everyone for my first Lake Trout trip, I went online and did some searching for tube jigs. I only buy lures/jigs/baits that I know have a Gamakatsu, Trokar or other quality hook.

I digress, but Jann's Netcraft has horizontal speed load tube jigs made with Gamakatsu hooks. My order just showed in time for my trip next week. The quality of these jigs are fantastic and they are sticky sharp! Found out the hard way putting on the tube skirts.

[Fred_Bear]

Thanks Thompson, I've looked at those before but a little skeptical so I have a couple questions.

What size did you buy and were they the shape of the top or bottom jig in the attached picture?

How does the speed loading work with a true horizontal jig? I haven't seen it and can't seem to wrap my head around it.

[S. Thompson]

Fred,

When I get home tonight, I'll take some photo's of the jigs. Like you, I'm real skeptical of products if I can't touch, feel see, etc. I only purchased one 5 pack of 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 to give them a try. Our local stores do not carry lake trout tackle, so my only option is online products. As with this thread, the important thing for me was the quality hook. Since Pactola is 5-1/2 hours away, and I'll only get two days to Lake Trout fish for the first time, I want to make sure everything I have is top notch. Hooks, line and reels are at the VERY top of my list.

Steve

[S. Thompson]

Fred, here are those photos of the tube jigs from Jann's Netcraft. They are shown with a 3-1/2" tube skirt. The hooks are sticky sharp and have some backbone.

[Fred_Bear]

Wow, thanks a lot! What sizes are each of those?

[S. Thompson]

The top one is 3/8 oz

The second one is 1/2 oz

and bottom on is 3/4 oz.

[Bernie Keefe]

I make my own, I use Trokar hooks (either fine wire or the heavy wire versions) I can make you some. Give me a call at (970) 531-2318. I will make the lead heads/ hook combo that works best for what you are doing.