Just looking for a few opinions from my fellow angling friends on BR. I make my own at my local tackle shop but they're very light wire hooks with the round ball style head on them. I make them with the light wire guard and without. I tend to lose some fish when the hook straightens out when I'm fishing around pads. I'm looking for a heavier wire hook that'll let me horse the fish out. I'm thinking about trying the Falcon K wacky hooks since they have them in all types. Anyone use these or have another recommendation?
I have used them and they're o.k. - but I got so fed up with trying to find a decent hook for heavier cover I make my own out of Gamakatsu B10 flytying hooks and stainless wire. I used to find a heavy wire sickle Matzuo at Wally Word but they haven't carried them in years and I don't see them on their website, either.
I have used the gamakatsu finesse wide gap hooks and I will never use any other hook they make them with or without a weed guard they are not weighted though
Check out the CHT Double Wacky Hooks ~
Though I haven't tried them yet, I plan to.
They look like they might have some potential.
A-Jay
http://www.*.com/CHT-Double-Wacky-Hooks-p/cht-doublewacky-hook.htm
For worms the thickness of a Trick worm I use a 2/0 straight shank round bend worm hook. I bend the worm keeper barbs flat, insert the point through the worm, turn the point parallel & reinsert it half way through.
For Senko types I use a 4/0 offset round bend, rig it Texas, & maybe add a nail in the tail.
I use them and like them. I also use VMC wacky hooks both work great for me.
I use the Gammies They are a pretty heavy wired hook.
We pour our own with the Do-it wacky jig mold. It uses the Mustad hooks, and my big issue is with the hook points rolling. Since they are so inexpensive to make, I just keep checking them and retying when the tip gets rolled. You will miss fish with a rolled point. It's worse than a dull point, for sure. I wish we had the means to modify the mold for a better hook.
I have the finesse wide gap,weedless wacky and the Vmc hook with the wire weed guard. If gammy would just make a weighted version I'd be set.
Francho those are the ones I'm pouring too.
On 12/20/2013 at 1:02 AM, rippin-lips said:I have the finesse wide gap,weedless wacky and the Vmc hook with the wire weed guard. If gammy would just make a weighted version I'd be set.
Francho those are the ones I'm pouring too.
You mean a weighted version of the Finesse Wide Gap hook?
I ask because that's of interest to me. I attempted to add a crimp-on weight to a WG hook, but there's just not enough shank on it.
I think the best weighted wacky I've used so far is the Buckeye flick-it models. I love the football head and the way the weed guard holds up (compared to others).
Found some Owner Ultrahead Wacky hooks at ⅛ oz on clearance at DSG, picked up several packs. Only problem I have with these are the hooks are a tad too light and will bend out more easily than others.
Edited by DarrenMYes a weighted version of the finesse wide gap would be awesome. I've seen them online from people who made them on their own. I either have to find a maker or try to create something the next time I'm down at the shop. These seem perfect for what I'm looking for.
I'd really rather a longer shank, and a ball head. I guess my preference would be a mold and hook to make the Zappu jigs.
Those hooks look like they'd do the job.
You could simply wind a short length of solder around the hook of your choice for your own "Custom weighted rig".
I use it for a couple of different applications where a bit of weight is needed.
A-Jay
I use the Weedless Falcon K Wacky hooks quite a bit. An alternate hook for me would be the Gamakatsu Finesse hooks. I like the 1/16 oz weighted ones best, because all other things being equal, I think the slightly faster drop doesn't hurt anything. A few years ago, I came across a bunch of the 3/0 1/16 oz size. Even given the rate I go through these, I don't think I will have to buy any more until 2018, maybe 2020.
On 12/20/2013 at 3:12 AM, J Francho said:I'd really rather a longer shank, and a ball head. I guess my preference would be a mold and hook to make the Zappu jigs.
I like the do it mold design I just wish I could find a stout hook to use with it.
On 12/20/2013 at 3:14 AM, A-Jay said:Those hooks look like they'd do the job.
You could simply wind a short length of solder around the hook of your choice for your own "Custom weighted rig".
I use it for a couple of different applications where a bit of weight is needed.
A-Jay
I was thinking about the lead tape you use in golf. I could probably work with that. I'm gonna try the solder trick when I get home from work to see what I can create. Thanks for the idea.
On 12/20/2013 at 3:18 AM, rippin-lips said:I like the do it mold design I just wish I could find a stout hook to use with it.
I was thinking about the lead tape you use in golf. I could probably work with that. I'm gonna try the solder trick when I get home from work to see what I can create. Thanks for the idea.
You're welcome - I use it on the shank of the hook to weigh down spinner baits; casts better in the wind and keeps the bait down for extra speed. I also use it to make my own Weighted Swim bait hooks.
A-Jay
On 12/20/2013 at 2:56 AM, rippin-lips said:Yes a weighted version of the finesse wide gap would be awesome. I've seen them online from people who made them on their own. I either have to find a maker or try to create something the next time I'm down at the shop. These seem perfect for what I'm looking for.
Those look rather interesting. Any idea what size hooks those are?
I normally use smaller versions of the Gammy WGF (Sizes 2, 1, 1/0, but go as high as 2/0).
I've also begun making some of my own weedless hooks with the 1/0 and 2/0 WGF hooks.
Using lengths of Malin Malon in 20lb test. Have caught a number of nice bass with this wire. Felt 30, 40 pound were just too stiff.
I'm using a tiny section of marine shrink wrap (glue inside) over the wire and around the shank. Works okay. I know there are better methods to attach weedless wire.
Yeah I have no idea. Wish I did though.
I like using circle hooks in 2/0 I've had good luck and normally don't gut hook fish. If I need to add weight I use the storm suspend strips
I believe I've came up with something that'll work using A-Jay's tip and my own idea. I'll have to see it in the water before I can be 100% sure about it though. I used 24g wire and wrapped it around the hook shank of a 2/0 finesse wide gap hook. Then made a second pass using small diameter solder for electronics. I used a clear nail polish to seal it all up from the water and hopefully protect it from pulling loose. Not the prettiest but it'll have to do I guess until I find the weighted ones.
On 12/20/2013 at 12:06 AM, J Francho said:We pour our own with the Do-it wacky jig mold. It uses the Mustad hooks, and my big issue is with the hook points rolling. Since they are so inexpensive to make, I just keep checking them and retying when the tip gets rolled. You will miss fish with a rolled point. It's worse than a dull point, for sure. I wish we had the means to modify the mold for a better hook.
http://lurepartsonline.com/Online-Store/Mustad-Jig-Hooks/Mustad-37180BLN-Wacky-Jig-Hook-1.html
On 12/20/2013 at 7:33 PM, wnybassman said:http://lurepartsonline.com/Online-Store/Mustad-Jig-Hooks/Mustad-37180BLN-Wacky-Jig-Hook-1.html
Same hook he's unhappy with, senor.
Maybe later I'll get a picture posted of my homemade weedless hooks Rippin Lips, but I wrap lead or solder around the hook shank, too - then either epoxy or just superglue it. Works fine.
I make a weedguard like you find on those baitholder or worm hooks from old guitar strings - like this one http://www.basspro.com/Mustad-Weedless-Worm-Hook-Model-W3369A/product/30057/
On 12/20/2013 at 1:07 PM, rippin-lips said:I believe I've came up with something that'll work using A-Jay's tip and my own idea. I'll have to see it in the water before I can be 100% sure about it though. I used 24g wire and wrapped it around the hook shank of a 2/0 finesse wide gap hook. Then made a second pass using small diameter solder for electronics. I used a clear nail polish to seal it all up from the water and hopefully protect it from pulling loose. Not the prettiest but it'll have to do I guess until I find the weighted ones.
If you incorporate a O-ring to this presentation you'll see your baits lasting a bit longer.
Perhaps more importantly, there will be more hook exposed which usually translates to better / more solid hook ups.
A-Jay
I use the Falcon K-wacky hooks, and like them. There are a few tricks to them tho. #1 Do NOT fish these hooks on light line with wimpy rods. They are heavy wire, and the weedguard takes a little "umph" to get a good hook set. They are also not for smaller baits. A 5" Senko is as small of a bait I would fish on them. But if you like putting wacky rigged 5", 6", and 7" senkos into thick cover, with heavy line, and big rods, then these are THE hooks for it.
On 12/20/2013 at 9:21 PM, ww2farmer said:I use the Falcon K-wacky hooks, and like them. There are a few tricks to them tho. #1 Do NOT fish these hooks on light line with wimpy rods. They are heavy wire, and the weedguard takes a little "umph" to get a good hook set. They are also not for smaller baits. A 5" Senko is as small of a bait I would fish on them. But if you like putting wacky rigged 5", 6", and 7" senkos into thick cover, with heavy line, and big rods, then these are THE hooks for it.
X2 ~
I've been looking for a suitable somewhat beefed up wacky hook for trips south of the border.
Been looking at these Kahle style hooks on line but it's hard to judge their stoutness on a monitor.
I've also considered the Trokar TK9 Kahle Hook.
The Kahle design offers a longer shank which might be very suitable for adding the weight without encroaching on the hook penetration.
Thanks for the input.
A-Jay
I prefer in-line circle hooks. Gamakatsu makes a dandy in 1/0 size. Have been fishing them for many years, wacky rigging Senkos for LM & SM bass, lake trout, rainbows, salmon and some of the toothy critters as well. They do their job, nicely. Never had a "need" to go weedless or weighted, but that's just me.
On 12/20/2013 at 8:46 PM, RandySBreth said:Same hook he's unhappy with, senor.
I didn't know if he was using the standard Do-It hook ($8+ for a 100) or the heavier dutier Mustad ($20+ for a 100) which is supposedly twice as strong. After re-reading I see John said Mustad.