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I'm almost out of my Matzuo sickle hooks. Going to have to order something to replace them soon. I use mostly sizes 6,4,2 and #1. Just wondering how the Eagle Claw "Lil' Nasty" hooks are performing as a substitute? How about the Mustad sickles? Thank You
I made the conversion from Matzuo to the EC sickles (made in the USA) when they first came out and have been extremely happy with them. I have caught a lot of fish using them and the quality control really shamed Matzuo (not like they care anymore). Haven't tried the Mustads yet.
With the way the trade tariffs with China are going we probably should be happy with the Lil Nasty as the prices of things from Chin like Marabou and SW Neck Hackle went up a lot already and who know what the last round of added tariffs will do to what. I can tell you that I have to pay 40% more for Hackle and 60% more for Marabou now. I have not bought any of the regular Neck Hackle; but I suspect it will find the same troubles as it comes f rom China too.
So feel the Matuzo Sickles would have gone up a lot too if they were still around!
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Went from Matzuo to Eagle ClW and now use the Mustad. They seem to be even sharper if that’s possible and a tiny bit larger barb.
Thanks for your replies. I have some ECs coming.
I use all eagle claw products. Have for 30 years and know what I'm getting when I order it.
Eagle Claw for me!
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I just thought of an other thing on eagle claw products. I called the company maybe ten years ago and ask if they could make me sickle style hooks. I got a real person who talked to me several different times. My operation is so small I could not commit to a Production type order of one million hooks. After that about three years we got the lil nasty because all of US wanted an alternative to the late matzu. And after that much time they contacted me that this product was out and I could order. Eagle Claw has my business for quality and their are real people there. Sorry that got a lil long winded. Enjoy the hobby.
Truthfully if a hook works and they catch me fish I don't really care!!!! I've got old stock roundbend Mustads and Eagle Claws that are prior to the bad years, I have a bunch of Matzuo's that I've put the yank test on to see if the eyelet and bend hold, and I have EC Nasties. The only one I can't speak for is the Mustad sickles as I haven't tried them.
With the Tariff crap going on I believe folks are gonna stock up quick or they're going to buy hooks that may be cheaper or on sale. Course once the Matzuo's are gone no more!
I stocked up with a lots of Matzuos when I heard they were cratering.
Cray, the Mustad has a larger barb?
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I also have a bunch of old EC hooks. Most are pretty big sizes but the smaller stuff will get used up and replaced promptly. Took me a long time to realize soft hooks were made. Steelhead fishing educated me on that. Dull hooks were common as I had a lot of Mustad double & fly tying hooks that were worthlessly dull. Discovered that 20 to 30 years ago. I had a bunch of nickle plated jigs that either were too soft or blunt. Now I test them all before casting and double check them prior to tying.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fatman
Yes it is just a tiny bit bigger than the lil nasty. Since we fish pony beards and jigs tipped with minnows over here for the most part that barb makes a lot of difference. And you can tell a big difference when trying to get the hook out. Matzuo was almost like fishing a barbless hook.Quote:
Originally Posted by Redge
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