I don't lose near as many fish since I switched to sickle hooks and also went to a larger size
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I don't lose near as many fish since I switched to sickle hooks and also went to a larger size
98% of the jigs I sell are done in sickle hooks. Once guys switch, they usually don't go back. Only issue with a sickle hook (At least with Matzuo) is that they are chemically sharpened. In other words, IF for some strange reason, your hook gets dull, bend the point, or whatever, you pretty much slap on a new one as they don't file all that well.
As for bending them out. We have seen it go both ways. On the bigger jigs (up to 1 oz) and using 4/0 hooks, they have a tendency to break rather than bend. But, when you are fishing very rocky bottoms for walleye and are used to snagging up on the bottom a lot, no one really cares if you lose them or not!
On my smaller jigs (1/32, 1/16, 1/8oz variety) they do tend to bend a little easier and can be bent back. I usually sell red, black, and bronze and don't see a difference in the color. Many of my customers were dead set on the red hooks (for some reason). That was until I showed them (in the instance of walleye fishing) only 1/4 inch of the hook is visible when hooked in plastic. Most of them now like the black chrome!
I'm gonna be in the minority on this one,I hate sickle hooks.I fish close to a hundred times a year and are good friends with several guides and most of us have switched back to aberdeen hooks.I don't seem to get as good of a hook set and seem to lose more minnows.But i could be wrong it's really what you have confidence in.
I think most of the ones that posted are not talking about using them with minnows and most are talking jigs. Maybe the make a larger hole in the minnow for some reason, I am unsure of that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big C
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Most of my jigs, whether weedless or not, have #4 or #2 Aberdeen hooks. I do have a few with sickle hooks (non-weedless) that I have used. Once hooked in the roof of a fish's mouth, I can honestly say that 99.9% of my fish will be landed, regardless of hook style (in my experiences).
I apply the same pressure upon hookset, regardless of hook style, as it relates to the method being used and the rod length/action/power. I have had no problems penetrating the fish's flesh, even with relatively dull hooks (which I discovered were dull after the fact).
I am in no way dissing the sickle hook, but for my purposes I have not found the need to switch over to them from the Aberdeen style.
Haven't used sickle hooks any but I sure like knowing that I free my jig (most of the time)by straightening out my little Aberdeen hook and bending it back. I even go to another level and heat the bend of the hook to make it straighten easier.
maybe my problem is that I get hung up more than I catch fish, but my jig poles and jigs fear no brush pile.
If if you ain't getting hung u ain't trying hard enough!!!
I only use weedless sickle hooks now. I can't recall ever losing more than one fish a day with them, most of the time none. I used to have days of losing several (not often)before I switched. I certainly get more roof of mouth hooksets with them. We pour our own and the price is great too. No reason not to use them to me
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Check out Bobby Garland's "OVERBITE SICKLE HEAD' jigs They come in 1/48oz & 1/32oz sizes only. (their awesome) :ThumbsUp
Where can one find them in the greater Chicago land area?
Bass Pro and Cabales don't seem have any in the store.
I buy mine online at bobbygarlandcrappie.com :fingerdanceQuote:
Originally Posted by Snuffy115