hi guys,

i have been using mustad 34007 for salt water hooks but to be honest i really don't like them so i was wondering which hooks do people like to use on here which to your minds are best to use and why?

My favourite pattern is the Tiemco 811s for smaller hooks (up to 1/0), MUCH, MUCH better than the Mustads. Have you had them break at the bend?

Partridge Sea Prince are very similar. Good hooks from a sharpness and strength aspects, but too brittle for fishing from the shore - just touch a rock on the backcast and the hook will break off. OK if fishing afloat - I use them when fishing off the kayak.

After that I like the Varivas V-cut hooks. They are avalable from Os at UKSALTWATERFLIES or from Toby at Funkyflytying.

It depends on the fishing you do and people do have their own preferred styles. The Gamakatsu SP600 is a very fine hook indeed, but I can't afford to lose them!

If you want smaller hooks and prefer tiemco’s especially size 6,4,2 sizes then i would suggest the tiemco 800S over the 811S personally. It's a much stronger hook and I have had trouble with the 811’s bending or breaking.
I would also stay away from the Sea prince - They are good hooks in so much as being strong / sharp but I have had to throw a bunch of flies I tied away as this hook has been inconsistent as to the wire being closed properly around the eye. I have had tippets break, especially smaller/ medium tippets ie 10,12 lb for example getting jammed in the small gap. Sometimes loop knots coming back that are still intact as to the knot itself but the loop is severed from being ' pinched '.

The Gamakatsu SC 15 is a great all around hook for salt. This is a shorter shank version.
You may also consider the Mustad S71SZ for more standard length hook requirements which is the newer signature series chemically sharpened upgrade to the old 34007.

Tailing loop – I know what I have said has gone against your recommendations and I have not intentially done so. It’s funny but you have mentioned the least favorite hooks of mine and that is just a coincidence. I don’t think any hook manufacturer has a 100 % success rate anyway.
Also, I think the 600 SP is a Tiemco hook and not gamakatsu. Those I have used in the larger sizes – 1/0-3/0 for larger tarpon and they are a very good hook. Sharp and strong. Bit more brittle if you are fishing anywhere that might have the hook touch a rock or hit the boat though.

I think a lot depends on what you are after as well. The species and fishing environment also play a factor as to hook choice. I know one thing – if I am going on a trip somewhere I make an effort to have as good a hook as possible. Nothing worse than spending hard earned money on a destination trip and then lose the fish of the trip to a bad hook.

Pretty much agree with what dryline has said.

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Gamakatsu every time.Really like the SL12s.I get them from Billfish Tackle Supplies in Australia.

Best JP

Tiemco are too expensive now and harder to source so I now use Mustad Signature. Your can source them a lot cheaper and whilst the Tiemcos can snap if you get snagged and pull for a break the Mustads bend to out so can be reused.

Tiemco or Gamakatsu (much cheaper in the US)

I have just started using Umpqua, they apparently come out of the Tiemco factory and you get 50 in a packet for around £4.75 (depending on the size).

I cannot say how good they are at the moment as i am literally just tying the flies! But they are supposed to be identical to the Tiemco so should be VERY good.

Have a look on theessentialfly website as these guys are the only ones in the UK stocking them at the moment.

They look like the U401 which are £9.99 for 25!!

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BlennyBoy

For bonefish Im still using the Charles Jardine hooks. You may still be able to get them from Andy Lush at Friendly Fisherman. Come in packs of 25 and are a sensible price.

Otherwise as listed above: Varivas (and variants of the same hooks) and Gamakatsu mostly.

The newer Mustads are okay Im told and Daiichi do a nice hook for bones and similar (2546).

hope this helps.