Just wondering if this is a fad or the real deal? I have never used any but think they look awesome. What are the pro's vs con's. I pour only crappie jigs if that helps
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Just wondering if this is a fad or the real deal? I have never used any but think they look awesome. What are the pro's vs con's. I pour only crappie jigs if that helps
Wider gap between hook point and shank for a bigger body,and of course very sharp.
this exactlyQuote:
Originally Posted by azslabber
JJ
pour only crappie jigs? what do you mean???
I only make crappie stuff so I didn't know if they are better for other species or better for crappie. I use alot of nibbles and it looks like that sharp bend might wallow out the nibble. I just figured it might help the pros vs con if y'all experts new the will only be used for crappieQuote:
Originally Posted by PBUG2009
there alot better for the wide gap that equals a better hook up ratio
sharper then any hook out and wider gap better hookset
Best part is about as sharp as a Gamakatsu, but lots cheaper, but on the other side is their QC, some eyes not closed and other little things, but still not enough to not use them. Don't think there is a sharper hook for the money any place that I know of. So not needing to sharpen a hook is one of my pet peeves and don't like a hook that is not sharp out of the package. I guess spoiled now.
I like the fact I believe you get a better hook up because of the wider gap and it seems to hook them more in the top of the mouth more often.
Lots of good things and a few not so good, but will tolerate it so far the good out weighs the bad by quite a bit.
Skip
Just started tying on them last fall and have some reservations. I will give em
the test this spring. I agree with the other guys, wide gap and damn sharp!!!
They seem a little springy in the vise and am wondering if I catch a larger fish, if they will hold up. I'm comparing them to Mustad's 32756 jig hooks.
They do have some quality control problems, but not enough to stop using them. I prefer the bronze or black nickle to the red or gold.
I prefer the Eagle Claw light wire when fishing structure and docks, the hook is designed to bend when fished with the proper lb. test... Sickles will break you off more times than not, leaving you with a lost jig!!!:(
They're great for open water with no structure though!... if you can find any fish there...:rolleyes:
gcd if you are not losing jigs you are not fishing for crappies.
dont worry about them bending with a fish on cause ive caught 10lb drum and a carp over 15lb on the sickle without a problem
Sweet I think the larger gap will help the 4 6 and 8's I need to order a bunch as soon as I use up my high dollar bass pro hooks:(
.... if you're losing jigs, you're using the wrong hook!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by snake River
I get snagged as much as anybody, but I get my jig back.. thanks to Eagle Claw light wire hooks!!!
One thing I will add with the comments about being springy and subject to break. They did have some issues early last year with breaking hooks in size #4, but that has pretty much dried up as far as I can tell. When the bad ones were around they were all bronze and I even broke quite a few just tying them. Never really had any trouble with any others.
One other thing if you are worried about them breaking and not bending, try the #6 and don't ask me why as I have not clue, but the #6 seems to have a lot of give to it and will bend much easier than a #4 IMHO. SO if you get hung up and use heavy enough line you should be able to pull it loose and bend it back.
I've used both the light wire Eagle Claw and the Sickle hooks. I don't loose as many fish with the Sickles but break off a few more jigs. Small price to pay for more fish in the boat!
I love the sickle's, not just for crappie but i have been using them for steelhead they are very durable for a light wire.
if you get your hook out of a snag because they bend what do you do straighten the hook? or are you saying they spring back to form
Had used mustad hooks forever. Last fall Flatfish convinced me to use the sickle hooks. Boy am I glad he did. The only aberdeens I use are with one mold that is a custom one I build and I use for brim. Am I happy with the sickles you bet will I use them again yes. Untill they develop a better hook I will stick with them. Like the old addage about the Mouse Trap.
Redman
The first time I tried the sickles was right after they came out 5 years or so ago.I poured some #6 on a 1/32 head. The first trip out I didn't lose a fish.I got home and ordered a few thousand more and have been using them ever since. The crappie get nailed right in the roof of the mouth. I use them 95% of the time now. Black nickle sickles are my favorite,they don't rust like bronze hooks.As for strength, I tie 1/32 buggers on #6 sickles for some guys in New York and they catch 15 lb.steelies on them regularly.
100 times sharper than the same size Mustad or Eagle Claw aberdeen hooks. Wider gaps = better hook up in the mouth = less lost fish due to tear outs.
and 65 lb test spider wire???Quote:
Originally Posted by GCD
Just going to throw my .02 cents in. I thought I was going to love the sickle's for shooting docks and after tying about 100 jigs I was excited to get out on the water (yesterday) and give it a go. Well, verdict is in and no, I want use them any more. I lost every jig except one that got stuck. I was using brand new hi-viz mono in 6lb and broke them off every time. And I can tell you this, from a new jig tyer, I hate loosing jigs that I tied myself wayyyyy more than I hate loosing store bought jigs. So I came home last night and painted up 100 lightwire #4's and hope to get to tying them soon today in preperation for my next trip. Like I said, it's just my opinion, but I want use them any more for the docks.
Most of my hook ups are in the roof of the mouth and they don't come off
I love the sickles but hate fishing them deep in cover until my boss (old fly tier) asked my why I don't make it weedless. After you start you thread and get to the bend in the hook, tie some heavy mono (I use 14lb stren) and cut it around 3" long and leave the tag end sticking out until you are done tying your jig. Take the tag end and loop it back to the jig head slightly larger than the hook. Tie to head and there you have it. A weedless sickle that is best of both worlds. I'll try to post pictures but my camera stinks. I'm sure the old timers know what I'm talking about and maybe they can post a pic.
This may be controversial, buy I have caught lots and lots of crappie using 12 lb. spider wire and rarely lose a sickle jig with it. Braided takes a little getting use to but it is small as thread, limp and tough. You just pick the rod up when you get a strike cuz it don't streach at all. It is also really sensitve on a bite. People either love it or hate it. I know a few really successful crappie fishermen who use nothing else. When a sickle gets hung, it is really hung but the same can be said about hooking a fish with one. I LIKE the sickle hooks a lot, but only with braided line. Its all what you have confidence in. I still use 6lb mono when fishing for suspended fish.
Sorry about the blurry pic. The mono flexes out of the way with no problem. The loop on this one could be a little smaller. If you want more protection, just use heavier line (less flex).Quote:
Originally Posted by Bartman
seems like it would get stuck more
Please explain??Quote:
Originally Posted by PBUG2009
I like that picture alot. I think the structure I fish would be to ( twig'e) for my area but in most cases it should work awesome
I have never thought of adding a mono weed guard on jigs. I am not sure why as I tie them on some fly patterns that I have tied.
I just tried to tie one in,everything went great intil I tried to finish it off and tie around the head,what a pain,lol.I ended up cutting the mono off at the back.I did'nt like the looks of it.Maybe next time I will think it out better.
Tying the mono tag end is the last thing you do before whip finishing. Just run the mono beside the jig head and give it a few wraps with your tying tread. Then adjust the mono loop length and center it with the hook. When it looks good wrap tight with tying thread and whip finish. Cut excess mono and seal with cement.Quote:
Originally Posted by azslabber
For fish that have a similar profile to crappie I love them. For other fish I hate them. Surf perch and other sea perch fishing was a breeze with them, the fish nearly set the hook themselves. For sea bass they were okay but I had better hook ups with regular jig hooks. For trout I will never use a sickle again, hooked up about 7% of the time with sickles compared to 85% with regular hooks.