Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

MAC · 07-25-2004, 10:43 AM

I use the open eye Mustads and find them ok. The main reason I think they fail for some guys is failure to maintain the tackle. When they start to rust they should be replaced IMHO. Another problem some guys have is closing them wrong. Once these are bent into position they cannot be rebent or you'll weaken or break them. The VMCs are great hooks but rust way too fast. Plus I don't like the extra pivot point with a split ring. I would use VMCs if I could get them easily in a cut hook form. Cutting the closed eyes is a no-no in my book as this leaves bare metal at cut point plus you weaken the eye by rebending.

Some of the other builders use the Mustads with the same feelings as I have. One of the builders (won't mention any names) has been making plugs for about 20 years and swears by the Mustads. To each his own as there are drawbacks with everything.

07-25-2004, 10:43 AM	#3
MAC Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Maine Posts: 4,547	I use the open eye Mustads and find them ok. The main reason I think they fail for some guys is failure to maintain the tackle. When they start to rust they should be replaced IMHO. Another problem some guys have is closing them wrong. Once these are bent into position they cannot be rebent or you'll weaken or break them. The VMCs are great hooks but rust way too fast. Plus I don't like the extra pivot point with a split ring. I would use VMCs if I could get them easily in a cut hook form. Cutting the closed eyes is a no-no in my book as this leaves bare metal at cut point plus you weaken the eye by rebending. Some of the other builders use the Mustads with the same feelings as I have. One of the builders (won't mention any names) has been making plugs for about 20 years and swears by the Mustads. To each his own as there are drawbacks with everything.