Getting sick of sickles...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OKSTATEjiggy

I have never used a sickle hook, land 90+ percent of the fish that bite my jigs with regular hooks.

---

I totally agree with you on hooks, I use a lot of Eagle Claw aberdeen jig hooks, and lots of guys I know hate Eagle Claw, so it goes to show you. Yet I think they are sharper out of the box then their counterpart Mustad. Just my opinoin. I don't like to bash companies. They all have there place to everyone that uses them. I only mentioned my post, because of the problems I've had and I had to tell my customers to cover my credibility. We all have certain things we like and stick with.

I noticed a few posters were mentioning my jigs, so here's my story and take on them: I buy them in huge batches, like 10k at a time of each size, and then go about 3-4 months without ordering more. It's VERY likely I missed the bad batches due to this, as I have not had one single person who bought my jigs complain about breakage. I do feel they tend to bend more than break, but can easily be bent back with pliers.
As for snags, yeah, due to the sickle hooks design, a #4 sticks out far more than a standard #4 hook (i.e. Mustad). I myself downsize 1 hook size when using a sickle. I use #4's in Mustad's, but a #6 in sickles. I have not noticed a drop in hookup ratio.
As for the "loose" heads Skip mentions, and has over, and over, and over, and over ( I could keep going), you did not tell me they were lose or it was a problem until you "heard about it online somewhere." You then mentioned it wasn't a big deal. I told you once you painted them, they would no longer be loose. Guess you don't paint yours huh? That was like 2 years ago, with a VERY old mold, of which I have replaced with a Pro model mold. Perhaps this is the reason (your continuing putting down of my 1 time loose jig heads) is the reason I choose not to deal with you anymore.
Not to hijack this guys thread, but I have honestly got tired of you putting down 2 year old jigs that you claimed were not a problem, and you KNOW I literally ran myself out of hooks for you, and went 3 months without ANY in stock due to it. You can moderate the post if you'd like, since the truth is here, and you will probably erase it.

Thnx for the "other side of the coin" TCI Fishing Lures.

ridiculous... something must be done

I have been tying with the sickles for 4+ years now and broke two while tying.I prefer the black chromes then red's.Only time I use the bronze is when I'm pouring a bunch to get plated due to the cheaper price.The wider gap of the sickles catch's more fish in my opinion.I believe black chromes are stronger plus they don't rust like bronze.What hooks are being broken the most,bronze? You pay more for black chromes but to me they are worth it.Give them a shot,I know I'll keep using them.

I can solve all their problem's ,but I don't get paid by Matzuo for tech support I don't think You'll have problem's with hook's You get from Me.

I've bought many jigs from TCI and I can honestly say that only one hook broke and it broke in the vise. As far as loose heads, on the very first 1/32 jigs I got from Tommy, I had a few loose ones. Since then all have been great. I have no complaints and like his very fast service.

"gene"

I have yet to break any hooks ever. Bronze or any other color. All the colors are the same. The color does not make the wire any stronger,they are all the same.

I had a few gold break one time. And I think it was my fault. The Mold was bad hot and the lead was also warmer then it should have been. (Someone was pouring for me) I got him stopped and there was a lot of the ones that were way to hot in the mold. Well some of those broke. We have been selling Matzuo Hooks for a year, And have sold them from the smallest up to an 11/0 Sickle hook.
The only ones to break was the ones over heated in the mold. Next batch may break on me but have not yet.
Pete

I bought several from TCI and have been very satisfied. No more broke hooks than others I’ve used and no loose heads with mine. They are the stickiest jigs I have ever used.... they stick to carpet, tee shirts, fingers and of course the roofs of mouths. The downsizing 1 size is real good advice! Thanks Tommy.