fishing spot logo
fishing spot font logo



why knock Eagle Claw? 2024


fishing user avatarRobE reply : 

I haven't lost sleep over this... just curious. On this and other forums, it seems that there is always someone dissing Eagle Claw.

I'll be the first to admit that they aren't my hook of choice for TX rigs and jigs, etc. But to knock a company as a whole doesn't seem fair.

I use ECs gold aberdeens when fishing for crappie and other panfish with minnows and can't say that I've ever missed a hookset due to the hook itself. They also make nice dressed trebles for the $$. And they're American!

I have an older 7535 spinning reel that is my backup for walleye trolling. Will use it 'til it dies.

What brought this up, I guess, is a buddy making fun of me wearing an EC ballcap. Asked if I really used that 'junk'.

Did Eagle Claw do something that I'm not aware of that soured everyone or is it merely a case of brand-snobbery??


fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 

I regularly use EC hooks, along with other brands as well.  I've yet to have an experience that would sour me on using their products.  


fishing user avatarDan: reply : 

The Lazer Sharps aren't too bad but all the other stuff that I've used has been horrible. Some of it rusted in my box before I could even use it.


fishing user avatarBassin_Fin@tic reply : 

I made the mistake of filling a small plano box with all my worm hooks and EWG's and a few of them were Eagle Claw but most were Owner and Gamakatsu. Needless to say after a few months went by I then had to throw the whole box of them out due to rust. Approx. between 60-80 dollars of Gammy and Owner hooks gone because of the rusting Eagle Claws in the same box. I haven't had that issue when I just have the quality hooks in a box like that. So I said nope,never again will I buy them. The red hooks are very shody and the paint wears off way to fast. The hooks aren't as sharp as well. I can't see any reason to not spend one more dollar or sometimes less for a pack of quality hooks if you go through the Eagle Claws twice as fast I don't see how it is a value anymore. Hey, the panfish hooks are great though. :;)


fishing user avatarJacobK reply : 
  Quote
I made the mistake of filling a small plano box with all my worm hooks and EWG's and a few of them were Eagle Claw but most were Owner and Gamakatsu. Needless to say after a few months went by I then had to throw the whole box of them out due to rust. Approx. between 60-80 dollars of Gammy and Owner hooks gone because of the rusting Eagle Claws in the same box. I haven't had that issue when I just have the quality hooks in a box like that. So I said nope,never again will I buy them. The red hooks are very shody and the paint wears off way to fast. The hooks aren't as sharp as well. I can't see any reason to not spend one more dollar or sometimes less for a pack of quality hooks if you go through the Eagle Claws twice as fast I don't see how it is a value anymore. Hey, the panfish hooks are great though. :;)

keep them in the original package they won't rust.


fishing user avatarUse ONLY Stren reply : 

I can straighten a lazer sharp EWG with one hand, can't do that with a Gammy or an Owner. You don't want to be pulling a fish out of cover and have the hook straighten and lose the fish, ive been there its no fun. ;D


fishing user avatarJeff H reply : 

I've actually gotten to like the Grigsby HP hooks.  I just wish they could also produce them in a fine wire version.  As for the rest, mostly just dull and do not measure up to the others I prefer.  If they had good, sharp EWG and offset shank worm hooks I WOULD buy them just because they are American made.   ;)


fishing user avatarStringjam reply : 

JMO....Eagle Claw dishes it out (they're marketing is aimed at dissing imported hook brands).  If you're going to do that, you better put out a serious product to compete with them, or you're going to take a lot of flack.  

I really don't see the point in making statements like "We ship hooks overseas, not jobs."  That's BS - - Gamakatsu, VMC, Owner, etc. aren't U.S.-based companies shipping hook-making jobs overseas.

There are some new hook designs from Eagle Claw that I'd like to try out.....it's been awhile since I've used Eagle Claw because my previous experiences weren't good.  I would love it if a U.S. company would come out with a top-shelf product.  


fishing user avatargrimlin reply : 
  Quote

I'll be the first to admit that they aren't my hook of choice for TX rigs and jigs, etc.

Why do you think that is? I'm guessing you don't trust them either.... ;D

There are other hooks much,much better than eagle claws.I rather put my trust and confidence in a brand i know won't fail me than eagle claws which hooks has failed me before.

Their tube jigs,the hooks on them bend very,very easy...and they aren't the sharpest hooks out of the box.

Like you however,when "fun" fishing for panfish with my kid I'll use those little bitty panfish hooks from eagle claws.Simply because they are much easier to find everywhere.I don't spend a lot of money for something like that.When it comes to my serious bass fishing that's when i rely on the better hooks.


fishing user avatarJake. reply : 

They aren't as sharp as Owner and Gamakatsu, and they bend and rust easier.


fishing user avatarbass wrangler569 reply : 
  Quote
They aren't as sharp as Owner and Gamakatsu, and they bend and rust easier.

that pretty much sums things up


fishing user avatarDINK WHISPERER reply : 

Back when i was a teen and not as deep into bassin' i used EC exclusively! I never had a major issue with them except for rusting in boxes. I now use Gamakatsu but will be switching to all Owner soon.


fishing user avatarsambrochill reply : 

i only use gamakatsu hooks for things like t-rigging and all the other fancy stuff but i strictly use the eagle claw bait holder hooks when i'm fishing with live bait


fishing user avatarBassFishingMachine reply : 

Someone said this on here awhile ago and to this day I remember it. The eagle almost went extinct because its claw's kept losing the fish!  ;)


fishing user avataravid reply : 

About the only eagle claw hooks these days are the kahle live bait hooks.   Otherwise it's pretty much owner all the way.


fishing user avatarVAfishin4me reply : 

There's only two brands of hooks I won't buy....Eagle Claw and VMC

Bad experiences right out of the containers ;)


fishing user avatarDock Master reply : 

    I use Eagle Claw snelled hooks all the time when I am bottom fishing in saltwater.  


fishing user avatarJeff H reply : 
  Quote
There's only two brands of hooks I won't buy....Eagle Claw and VMC

Bad experiences right out of the containers ;)

I like the VMC "round short" trebles.  Love that short shank treble on my crankbaits. Haven't tried any other VMC hooks in a long time though.


fishing user avatarSirSnookalot reply : 

I use whatever is in stock, that being said I've used EC 4/0 circles on bonito, kingfish and snapper, good hookset, don't bend and yet to see them rust.

I do just fine with their wide gap hooks for bass.


fishing user avatariceintheveins reply : 

Even the lazer sharps aren't needlepoints. Their hooks just don't stand up to Gammy, Daiichi, Owner, Mustad, X - Point, or even BPS needlepoints. They aren't sharp, they bend, and they rust.


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 
  Quote
What brought this up, I guess, is a buddy making fun of me wearing an EC ballcap. Asked if I really used that 'junk'.

I think your buddy was doing you a favor. Hooks are the most

important tackle we all have. Several brands offer high quality

hooks at a reasonable price. Save money somewhere else,

don't skimp on hooks.

8-)


fishing user avatar21farms reply : 
  Quote
JMO....Eagle Claw dishes it out (they're marketing is aimed at dissing imported hook brands). If you're going to do that, you better put out a serious product to compete with them, or you're going to take a lot of flack.

I really don't see the point in making statements like "We ship hooks overseas, not jobs." That's BS - - Gamakatsu, VMC, Owner, etc. aren't U.S.-based companies shipping hook-making jobs overseas.

There are some new hook designs from Eagle Claw that I'd like to try out.....it's been awhile since I've used Eagle Claw because my previous experiences weren't good. I would love it if a U.S. company would come out with a top-shelf product.

totally agree with you. the eagle claw print ads i see are ridiculous and along the lines of "this is ed. ed has worked for us for over 40 years. ed has cranked out millions of hooks. ed is an american." [slightly exaggerated for emphasis but you get the idea] NO mention of quality, innovation, or fish-catching ability...only 'buy us cuz we're american'...it's like they just don't get "it". hey, eagle claw, instead of playing the patriotism card, churn out some truly great products. the trokars seem interesting BUT at $2 to $3 PER HOOK????


fishing user avatarDanny1991 reply : 

I'll use em for panfish, but when it comes to bass hooks there junk! The EWGs straighten very easily and lose there sharpness in no time flat! any kind of hang up bends the point of the hook.

Gammy user for life!! ;)


fishing user avatarburleytog reply : 

I can't believe people are actually paying $10 for a pack of Eagle Claw Trokar hooks.   ;D


fishing user avatarRoLo reply : 

In years gone by, Eagle Claw and Mustad pretty much cornered the fishhook market.

Today however, premium hook-makers like Gamakatsu, Owner and Daiichi

all produce hooks that are superior to Eagle Claw. The hook is the last thing on the end of your line,

and the last place you'd want to scrimp.

Roger


fishing user avatarGrey Wolf reply : 

Some body has to be at the bottom of the barrel and they qualify.


fishing user avatarbasser89 reply : 

Hey I really like Eagle Claw's tie clip/hat pin but they even loose their finish rather quickly.  ;D ;D ;D ;D


fishing user avatarislandbass reply : 

I have used the ECs for like small trout and pan fish, but I have seen a few hooks break.

Is there a metallurgist among us that could really give us the skinny in comparing these hooks (owner, gammy, mustad, etc.)? That would be very interesting.

Compare

a) Corrosion Resistance

;) Bending Tolerance (ie, how much force the hook can withstand before bending)

c) Hook Points

I would if I knew how.  :(


fishing user avatarJig Man reply : 

The only reason that comes to mind is that they are poor in the hook world. ;)


fishing user avatar21farms reply : 

i just went over to their website at www.fishlazer.com. click on 'tech info' and it'll tell you all you need to know. not one mention of quality, design nor innovation; just that they're 'turned out by the millions by americans.'

the trokar thing is perplexing to me...for example, the trokar dropshot hooks are 5 for $9.99. gammy dropshot hooks are $8.70 and you get 25 of them!


fishing user avatarTrippyJai reply : 
  Quote
There's only two brands of hooks I won't buy....Eagle Claw and VMC

Bad experiences right out of the containers ;)

I've heard that the VMC EWG hooks are terrible, but I hope you aren't talking about the trebles because this is the only brand I put on my crankbaits. They seem to be sharp, but I've had issues with it bending once in a while. Lucky Crafts if I recall also use VMC trebles as well as many other brands of crankbaits.


fishing user avatarTin reply : 

...because they suck.


fishing user avatarBassFishingMachine reply : 

Don't know about VMCs for freshwater, but they sure do make some nice saltwater grade trebles. Pretty much every top plug builder uses VMCs on their plugs in saltwater.


fishing user avatarSam reply : 

RobE, Eagle Claw hooks seem to rust very rapidly.

I still use them after they get a coat of rust, but I don't like it so I use other brands.  ;)


fishing user avatarkikstand454 reply : 

i used them exclusively for years... and in retrospect i guess the problems i had with them i didnt realize cause i didnt know any better. i would say that the quality issues are that they arent as sharp as slightly higher priced competetors and that they rust quickly IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF. i cant not think of a time that i straightend a lazersharp ewg on a fish.

what the hell are you guys doing to your fish? ;D

nowadays i use gammys only and liek i said its because for just a bit more money you get a vastly superior hook. and as stated before.. its not the place you want to scimp if you can help it.


fishing user avatarislandbass reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
There's only two brands of hooks I won't buy....Eagle Claw and VMC

Bad experiences right out of the containers ;)

I've heard that the VMC EWG hooks are terrible, but I hope you aren't talking about the trebles because this is the only brand I put on my crankbaits. They seem to be sharp, but I've had issues with it bending once in a while. Lucky Crafts if I recall also use VMC trebles as well as many other brands of crankbaits.

x2. Their trebles are excellent and are the best bang for the buck. They sell 25 packs for about $5. That CAN'T be beat by anyone. Good enough for Rapala, good enough for me (trebles). :(


fishing user avatarRobE reply : 

Wowsers! 3 pages and close to 1,000 reads in two days. I didn't expect this!

I agree with the majority of the replies and, for those that bothered to actually read the initial post rather than to merely reply to the thread title - thank you.

My point was; while Eagle Claw may not be our first (or even 9th) choice of hook, a good percentage of the replies indicate using at least some EC product. What does that tell you? If EC aberdeens work for crappie, why knock the company as a whole?

Perhaps a rep of EC will catch this thread and the company re-thinks its market position.

Besides - I think I look pretty stylin' in my EC ball cap. My Mister Twister cap doesn't match my PFD.  ;)


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

BS...

Don't promote inferior products.

8-)


fishing user avatarRobE reply : 
  Quote
BS...

Don't promote inferior products.

8-)

No, RW, I'm serious! This cap is the 'one size fits all', 'micro-adjustable velcro strap' model in Beige with Royal Blue embroidery and it was made in Morraco, Mississippi!

Oh... wait.. Uhh.. my mistake. :-[

Do you have a suit it will match? If so, I'll wash it and pay postage.  8-)

 


fishing user avatarShimmer reply : 

R   U   S    T


fishing user avatarRobE reply : 
  Quote
R U S T

I love Neil Young, too!


fishing user avatarVerewolf reply : 

Can't speak about all the other EC hooks but -

Been using EC bronze style 42 size 14 hooks for steelhead fishing for over 20 years.

Never a problem, no rust and hundreds of steelhead caught on these tiny hooks.

And more trout than I can begin to count.


fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

Eagle Claw hooks is all Wal-Mart carries now; I think there is a clue in that somewhere ;)


fishing user avatarVerewolf reply : 
  Quote
Eagle Claw hooks is all Wal-Mart carries now; I think there is a clue in that somewhere ;)

Walmart here also carries Gamakatsu and Mustad.


fishing user avatarCatt reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
Eagle Claw hooks is all Wal-Mart carries now; I think there is a clue in that somewhere ;)

Walmart here also carries Gamakatsu and Mustad.

Hold on they are changing all stories nation wide :(


fishing user avatartyrius. reply : 
  Quote
Hold on they are changing all stories nation wide ;)

Sweet!!!  Maybe I can get increase my supply of gammies at rock bottom prices!!!!  I've got some smoking deals on hooks from Wal-Mart and if they put all Gammies on clearence I'll stock up even more.


fishing user avatarVerewolf reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
Hold on they are changing all stories nation wide ;)

Sweet!!! Maybe I can get increase my supply of gammies at rock bottom prices!!!! I've got some smoking deals on hooks from Wal-Mart and if they put all Gammies on clearence I'll stock up even more.

The Super Walmart store here is in the process of a complete makeover.

The fishing dept was expanded and now there's large selection of the hooks

plus a decent selection of Zoom, Kinami, Abu etc.

Walmarts price for the gammie hooks is just a few pennies less than the Bass Pro Shop nearby.


fishing user avatarBassin_Fin@tic reply : 

Since were on the wally world subject.wal mart around here only sells gammies in saltwater hooks.In fact 98% of all their tackle is saltwater :;) Maybe I am doing the wrong thing LOL.


fishing user avatarNeedemp reply : 

They aren't as sharp as Gammies and they will dull down further, quicker and easier than Gammies. This is an experiment you can do while pleasure fishing. Use both different hooks, keep track of fish caught and snaggs and see which one is sharper and lasts as long.


fishing user avatargrimlin reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
  Quote
Hold on they are changing all stories nation wide :(

Sweet!!! Maybe I can get increase my supply of gammies at rock bottom prices!!!! I've got some smoking deals on hooks from Wal-Mart and if they put all Gammies on clearence I'll stock up even more.

The Super Walmart store here is in the process of a complete makeover.

The fishing dept was expanded and now there's large selection of the hooks

plus a decent selection of Zoom, Kinami, Abu etc.

Walmarts price for the gammie hooks is just a few pennies less than the Bass Pro Shop nearby.

All of our Wal-marts are turning into "Super walmarts" as i type this.It'd be nice if they expand their Fishing  Dept. however last time i was there they reduced it.They went from two rows down to one.  >;)

I hope they change it when they are completely finished,but from the look and sound of things they said "That it". I now take the extra 8 minute drive to dick's sporting goods to get my stuff.


fishing user avatarkikstand454 reply : 

i wouldnt even know where wal mart was located if i had a dicks sporting goods near me.


fishing user avatarjunebugmn reply : 

Eagle claw's are "good" hook's I just wish they would put a better or improved "z" bend where you tie the line on. On the same note,has tru-turn ever thought about putting bigger holding barb's on thier worm hook's? Not huge but a little bigger,I love thier worm hook's ;) junebugmn


fishing user avatarlooking4structure reply : 

The only EC Ive used is for panfish and some long shanked for Crappie and i have had any problems.For my bass is only Gammy and Owner.




6447

related Fishing Tackle topic

Favorite Lures Of 2011
Any Interest In A Swing Jig?
Favorite Wake Bait ?
Best terminal tackle storage ideas
Hey Northerners
Any Recommendations On Comfortable Fishing Shoes?
What type of bait do you have the most?
Early Spring Crankbaits
Rapala Scatter Rap Baits
Pink Rattle Traps
I like Academy
Looking Closely At Hook Points......
The One Lure
What Do You Think Is The Absolute Most Effective Popper?
Ok So Now We See It!!back To The Original Claim Will It Revolutionize Fishing"???
Best Jerkbait For Around $10
Secret Bait For Beds.
Favorite Senko / Stick Worm Colors ?
Livetarget Hollow Body Sunfish?? reviews?
What color are your soft plastics?



previous topic
Zoom bait co. -- Fishing Tackle
next topic
Favorite Lures Of 2011 -- Fishing Tackle