Matzuo Bronze Sickle

**PA_Slabs** · 09-07-2014, 08:20 PM

I can only add that I think the unusable defects count is well under 10 per 1000 present day. You typically get 6 to 10 extra in each 1000 count box. Most of my molds have been modified to handle the "longer to the eye shanks". As for the bronze vs black chrome, I prefer the black chrome. BUT, I think that the reason is that I used the black chrome 1st.

**Saltine** · 09-07-2014, 09:32 PM

I knew the hook was popular. I just didn't realize anyone kept track of how many hooks out of a thousand they broke. You guys are serious! I know a lot of you are in the business though, so I guess it makes since.

**skiptomylu** · 09-08-2014, 08:31 AM

Let me add, that on the first batch that was bad, I got way more than 10 in 1000 breaking and was more like 10 of every 50 to 100 would actually break when tying them! It's not been that bad since then even when they had that last bad bunch, but that batch was caught early enough for me not to get any of them. The other things you see I have never seen on hooks, like the barb on the wrong side of the hook, or the eye not closed, or no point. But these are not near as many as before now.

**Saltine** · 09-08-2014, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by skiptomylu

like the barb on the wrong side of the hook

Wow. That I have never seen!

**wicklundrh** · 09-08-2014, 01:42 PM

I pour 3/0 and 4/0 in 3/4 oz for walleye fishing in fast current. The prefered hook is "Matzuo Sickle Hooks". I buy all my hooks from Capt Hooks. They seem to have the best discount when purchasing 1000 or more.

Like others have said, they do have the production issue when it comes to consistancy. In fact, I have purchased 3/0 and 4/0 and had them both the exact same length but different hook gaps (4/0 is usually longer).

Again, like others have said, they had issues when they first came out. What we saw with the 3/0 and 4/0 was breakage right at the bend (or "V") of the hook. This was with the red hook.

I built and sold thousands last year and never had anyone tell me of a breakage this year so they must be on to something. I just poured 900 in the last couple of weeks (all in red) in the hopes to have enough made to seel for next spring.

Occasionally, I do have a twist a hook or two to line them up, and like others, I've had to relieve my mold a little bit because the hooks seems to stand to proud to one side of the mold causing lead to not completely pass down to the bait keeper.

**liftbite56** · 09-08-2014, 02:45 PM

I just bought a new batch of the bronze one with no problems yet..i did get caught with the blk nickel batch (#4's)only, that would break at the eye or at the shank...with all the problems I have had...with them...they still are the sharpest hook I've found to date to fit the price per 1000....I do know Eagle claw is working on one (wide gap)...waiting for that hook to come out?

**Cray** · 09-08-2014, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Saltine

Wow. That I have never seen!

I had one batch of 100 reds last year that at least half had barb on wrong side.

**wicklundrh** · 09-09-2014, 08:44 AM

Cray, Maybe Matzuo knows about some "reverse" jigging technique that we are not aware of?

**skiptomylu** · 09-09-2014, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by wicklundrh

Cray, Maybe Matzuo knows about some "reverse" jigging technique that we are not aware of?

**Cray** · 09-09-2014, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by wicklundrh

Cray, Maybe Matzuo knows about some "reverse" jigging technique that we are not aware of?

sad part is I didn't figure it out until I had poured a bunch of them. So I went ahead and painted them and use them. They still catch fish since it was perfectly formed. A first it puzzeled me as to how it could happen, then it dawned on me that making the hook point and barb have to be two seperate steps and some how they were getting placed in the machine wrong before the went to the bender.

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