Hooks

[fishon42]

How come when you buy a pack of Hooks with the leader and loop already on it they are so tough to get one of the hooks out ? Do they do that on purpose to make people more frustrated ? Should I not even use those hooks ?  I usually buy a swivel, open the latch put the weight in it, put the hook with the loop in it, and just tie my regular line to the one circle on the swivel. Should I do it a different way ? I am thinking that i should...



Fish On

[Luna Sea 5]

those hook are good to have as spares, I personally tie my own.

[Ruger314]

in the long run buy in bulk and buy leader material...you will able to adjust the leader lenght..

[Mate Mike]

I think most people tie their own rigs.  This way you get more quality (hooks and leader material), you get the rig exactly the way you want it, you get to experiment with different set-ups and (most important in my opinion) you get the satisfaction of catching a fish on a rig created by you alone.  There are a few basic knots to learn but the most important one to start is snelling.  Here are a few good links to help you out: 

http://www.animatedknots.com/knotlist.php

http://www.ausfish.com.au/knots/

http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php

Hope this helps.

[IrishAyes]

Mate Mike,
I've seen the animated and netknot sites before but I have never seen the ausfish site before.  Great site, I like it.   
Thanks.

[Reel Time]

 i dont know about the advantage of snelling the hooks on, but i do know i cannot master that knot, and settle to polamar everything instead with an occasional clinch knot

[Luna Sea 5]

i only use 1 or 2 basic knots

[Skolmann]

Buy hooks (of various styles & sizes) at the numerous outdoor shows over the winter. You don't need to know/master more than 3 knots (snell, palmor & improved clinch) in order to tie your own rigs.

IMHO, on pre tied rigs the hooks are so dull they couldn't penetrate melted butter.

There is one exception though to buying pre tied rigs. If you live in the northeast part of NJ stop into The Outdoorsman in Fairview(?). They tie their own rigs using Gamakatsu hooks. They also usually have a booth at most of the winter fishing/outdoor shows. They make/tie excellant rigs. 

[Luna Sea 5]

   your right with the pretied hooks being dull. 

[gottog]

I'll use presnelled hooks for a few species like winter flounder or porgies.  Everything else I tie my own rigs for.

Generally use Gami Octopus hooks or Owner SSW in 2/0 to 6/0.

I tie a version of the quick snell, thru the eye towards the point,make loop and hold against shank and wrap around 3-10 times(depends on leader thickness) then back thru that loop you held initially.  never had one slip or fail, from bluefish to tog to tuna.