Surprise Care Package from Gag's

[luds]

Originally Posted by Jerkinthedark

The Whip it eel has a Mustad Ultra Point hook; Why would this present a problem, unless you are Tuna fishing or fishing the Canal with gear that would be considered overkill in a "normal" Bass fishing scenerio. I have had no problems with Gag's, Ronz,or Hurley's and my understanding is that Gag's will have a Tuna strong model out shortly.

Fishing mono and fiberglass? I admittedly fish a drag that is a little too tight and lose fish to it but I like to land them quickly in an effort to get them back into the water more and also to get to the next fish that is hopefully bigger. Today's lure builders should make every effort to use components that can hold up to the strain that today's tackle on the other end puts on them.

[Jerkinthedark]

Luds; Your theory is interesting in the sense that you admit to "horsing" fish in an effort to land possibly a larger one next, yet, you don't take into consideration that some of the fish lost due to this approach, may be the ones your looking for. You definitely need to match your tackle to your approach, but you can't consider anything that doesn't meet your application, inferior. As I said earlier, I have yet to have any issues with the Mustad Ultra- Point so I have no reason to doubt it.

[luds]

Originally Posted by Jerkinthedark

Luds; Your theory is interesting in the sense that you admit to "horsing" fish in an effort to land possibly a larger one next, yet, you don't take into consideration that some of the fish lost due to this approach, may be the ones your looking for. You definitely need to match your tackle to your approach, but you can't consider anything that doesn't meet your application, inferior. As I said earlier, I have yet to have any issues with the Mustad Ultra- Point so I have no reason to doubt it.

The bigger fish get a little more love and attention. You can comment however you like on my inadequate approach to fishing but the fact is better tackle gives you the ability to make more mistakes. That was the point. IMO If you hook your dream fish with that hook you deserve to lose it. What happens when you have a super cow in a rip and it's just taking line and you need to stop it. Have fun stopping it with that POS hook. You might say that doesn't meet the application but I don't want to have to differentiate when I can and can't bring the sh%tty hooks. I'd like to think I can count on them in just about any instance.

[Jerkinthedark]

Your point is well taken.At no point did I refer to your technique as inferior, it is simply a different approach than I and many others use. The simple fact is that in certain applications, heavier tackle is needed, but that does not make that hook a POS! I have landed fish that even you might be proud of on plugs that were basically designed for large freshwater fish, but certainly not in a boiling rip. The fact is without them, you could not buy a hit.I agree with what you say, I simply don't spend the majority of my fishing time in conditions that warrant heavier tackle. When I do, I use the appropriate tackle. It was not intended as a personal attack, merely a difference of approach.

[fishonnelsons]

An "oldtimer" once told me "there is nothing new, it's always just a tweak here or there on an old, original lure". After looking at all the lures out there, and at all the lures in tackle shop distributor books, and tackle shows, I have to agree.

Don't get me wrong, a slight modification can make a big difference in the fish catching ability of a lure, and the strength of the hardware in it can be the difference between an "oh %^$#" and a monster keeper.

My issue, at times, is that some people try to be all things.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and experimentation is good for everything. But if you make custom wood, that seems to be your area of expertise and be the best there. Why try to do some rubber, or metal, what's next - rods? Alan and RonZ, I believe, are constantly trying to better their rubber. Steve from AOK metal and Joe from Pt Jude stick to the metal 95%.

Unless the new stuff from a new guy in the category is a MAJOR difference than what is out there already, I am less apt to buy it or stock it. Just because the package has someone's name on it doesn't mean it will be as good as what's out there.

BUT, AGAIN, experimentation is good for everything, and maybe twiddling in another area will result in a new breakthrough, who knows?

[JohnR]

JITD, what is your affiliation with AL?

Thanks,

John

[Clogston29]

Originally Posted by Jerkinthedark

You definitely need to match your tackle to your approach, but you can't consider anything that doesn't meet your application, inferior.

if your approach is to target striped bass, then matching your tackle to your approach requires strong tackle and hooks IMHO.

sometimes, yes, fish want a small offering and if your throwing something like a bomber or small mambo, you have to back off on your other tackle since the hooks on a bomber (even upgraded to vmc) are the weak link.

however, a strong single hook should be an advantage when throwing a jig, and jigs of any substantial size (say 3/4 oz and up) without strong hooks are poorly designed IMO. the fact that companies are putting out 1+ oz. jigs designed for striped bass with a with weak hooks is an oversite on their part. i've had the hooks on ronz jig heads straightened several times, and it was not the result of too much pressure, it was the result of too little hook.

ronz, to their credit, addressed this by putting out the tuna grade jigs with strong hooks.

[DZ]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

if your approach is to target striped bass, then matching your tackle to your approach requires strong tackle and hooks IMHO.

sometimes, yes, fish want a small offering and if your throwing something like a bomber or small mambo, you have to back off on your other tackle since the hooks on a bomber (even upgraded to vmc) are the weak link.

however, a strong single hook should be an advantage when throwing a jig, and jigs of any substantial size (say 3/4 oz and up) without strong hooks are poorly designed IMO. the fact that companies are putting out 1+ oz. jigs designed for striped bass with a with weak hooks is an oversite on their part. i've had the hooks on ronz jig heads straightened several times, and it was not the result of too much pressure, it was the result of too little hook.

Clogston,
I have a contact that makes jig heads for plastics with very strong hooks. If anyone is interested shoot me a PM.

DZ

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Just to be clear, Marine Tropical was that "online tackle dealer in NY" referred to in the C+P from Ronz, and not "Ron Z" himself.

Ahhhh, I misundertook that

Originally Posted by DZ

Clogston,
I have a contact that makes jig heads for plastics with very strong hooks. If anyone is interested shoot me a PM.

DZ

Sorry for the Thread Hijack Denis

[Mike P]

I find that the best thing is still to buy your baits loose (or even better yet, get the ingredients to pour your own) and rig them on the cylinder shaped heads that Mike, CC Charlie's and Red Top sell for about a buck apiece. I've noticed no great difference in results between those heads, and the traingular Ronz head. The heads with the "tuna strong" hooks are too expensive, especially for guys who fish the Canal and probably lose 20-30 heads to the bottom a season.

[JohnR]

I don't have a problem with DZ checking in with something new, sponsor or not. I encourage it. We want to know what is going on in the world of lures and tackle.


Even if Al Gag's M.O. is to flood product out to a bunch of people to rev up some interest. He does this all of the time anyway so nobody should really be surprised (I was asked by someone if I was interested in checking it out as well, I declined). So we're not likely to see direct from Al as he won't go near a 'puter. He prefers to send people out to do that