Author Topic: "Comp Hook" Alternatives (Read 933 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** April 27, 2010, 06:02:19 PM »

Let's face it. If you can afford Knapeks, Skalkas, or some of the other genetically engineered hooks for competition then go for it! They are certainly excellent hooks and great fish holders. I love many of them and will continue to use a few, especially Knapeks. But at prices of $26 per 100 and up things are getting a little out of hand. Just as I believe it's important to have "flouro alternatives" I think we need to route out good, but cheap "comp hook alternatives" to aid newcomers to the sport. Being able to tie flies "at will" is absolutely necessary in my mind to refining both your tying and fishing skills. And were talking 1000s of flies... not 100s.

With that in mind. What hooks do you trust for competition that might not be so mainstream?

Please list Brand, Model, and Sizes that you use. And adjust price for 100.

I haven't tried it yet, but I picked up a pack of Eagle Claw Bait Holder hooks today: Cat point, turned in, AND offset, with a relatively long spear and very wide gape.

Loren Williams · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2010, 07:35:51 PM »

Mustad C49S, Mustad R50X, and the Knapek S for streamers....

Chris Topmiller · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2010, 10:25:37 PM »

Truthfully (and I know I'm gonna get grief for this) I really like the TMC 3769. I use it a lot. And it works, despite the hook gap problem. I really like the way flies tied on this hook look.

Domenick Swentosky · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2010, 11:29:25 PM »

As Loren mentions, I really like the C49S as well, and probably about 75% of my nymph box is tied on these hooks right now.

I just wish that I could find a source for these online without getting slammed on shipping when I only need a couple packages. My local shops stopped carrying Mustad.

If anyone has a recommendation, I'm all ears.

Enjoy the day.
Domenick

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2010, 07:36:01 AM »

Domenick John at wflies.com has some mustad hooks, I know the c49 is one of them. If you enter creekaddict for the coupon code at check out you'll get free shipping.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2010, 08:04:32 AM »

Dom I think Jims Sports Center in Clearfield has them as well that is not too far from you.

Domenick Swentosky · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2010, 09:21:59 AM »

Hey thanks for the recommendations guys. I had checked wflies but missed the c49s somehow. Although $5.99 for 25 hooks sort of defeats the purpose of going with Mustad.

I do like those hooks.

Enjoy the day.
Domenick

Lance Egan · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2010, 06:53:09 PM »

C49S should come 50 per pack for $5.99
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat20536_TGP&id=0065552320738a&navCount=2&podId=0065552&parentId=cat20536&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=QL&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20536&hasJS=true

Chris, I'm with you, the Tiemco 3769 is a great hook. Other Tiemco's that work well: 2457, 2487, 5262, 921 and 103. The 103's are the original upturned point dry hook. Of course the 2499SPBL is great, but a bit more expensive.

Mustad's new hooks are far better than the old versions. The "signature" fly hooks now feature chemically sharpened points. Not bad for the price...

Tim Long · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2010, 07:01:49 PM »

I think Dom is concerned with the shipping being the same price as the box of 50 though. So, unless you buy a lot of hooks you are paying about $11/ 50 hooks which isn't too cheap.

Dom: The best place I have found to get hooks is on ebay. Usually you can get some decent deals on Tiemcos. For instance, I can usually find 2457s for about 13.00/100 hooks. Shipping is usually reasonable, and most people will combine shipping.

Loren Williams · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2010, 06:01:42 AM »

Hooks are things best purchased in bulk. To skimp on price means you skimp on quality where it matters (sharpness, QC, point length/taper, consistency). If you need to get them on line then buy them in quantity--split the cost among friends.

Not sure why Steve dropped them--I know he was never a Mustad fan but they are very good premium hooks.

Where Mustad really nailed it with the Sig. hooks is the linear proportions: the wire diameter, gap, throat, shank length are all 100% proportional across hook sizes. The C49S has an excellent throat and that, in my opinion, when coupled with penetration is what keeps a fish stuck. It has a long enough shank, and yet short enough shank, to suit most all nymphs. The r50X is the standard dry fly hook but made barbless. In turn, Mustad increased the throat to almost the 1/2 shank point and these puppies stick and hold like no ones business. I hope they make them in bigger sizes down the road as I think I can only get them up to #10.

In the end, you'll find what you trust. I've just had too many issues with the Czech and South African hooks to justify the expense. Aside form the Knapek S they do not do a better job than what we can get domestically.

Domenick Swentosky · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2010, 01:46:35 PM »

Loren, or others:

I've been surprised with how easily the size 18 and 20 C49S bends around in the vise. I haven't had a problem with them bending back in fish, but honestly haven't fished those small sizes as much as the others in these hooks. I switched over from TMC 2457s mostly and that's a much stouter hook, so I just needed to get used to the thread tension I could use on a standard wire small hook again.

What I like about the C49S is the profile of the finished nymph and the straight eye. Turned down eyes sometimes force the bead to wedge down a bit underneath.

Any problems with those small sizes bending back when attached to fish?

Enjoy the day.
Domenick

Loren Williams · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2010, 06:51:27 PM »

I have not had any issues but I also never catch anything bigger than 7.8 inches

Domenick Swentosky · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2010, 08:01:21 PM »

Quote from: Loren Williams on April 29, 2010, 06:51:27 PM

I have not had any issues

Thanks. That's all I need to hear.

Oh, catch bigger fish.

Enjoy the day.
Domenick

Chris Topmiller · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2010, 11:03:19 AM »

Per the recommendations here I picked up some Mustad C49S in a size 16. Makes a really nice looking fly but I'm concerned about the standard guage wire. Will that fine wire hold up with bigger fish?

Also, while I was at the shop I found these:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0065552320734a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&No=36&Ntt=mustad+hooks&cm_mmc=PPC-_-MSN+Non+Brand-_-fis_Terminal+Tackle_Hooks-_-mustad+hooks&Ntk=Products&_requestid=32461&N=0&Nty=1&rid=0123456789

These are 3X heavy standard nymph hooks from Mustad, the S80-3906. I picked these up in a size 16. They have the same shank length as the TMC 3769 but with a wider hook gap. Any thoughts from anyone on this hook?

Loren Williams · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2010, 11:45:32 AM »

It's the same hook I use for steelhead when guiding indicator guys. It's held fish up to 15# on 2X tippet.

Quote from: Chris Topmiller on May 03, 2010, 11:03:19 AM

Per the recommendations here I picked up some Mustad C49S in a size 16. Makes a really nice looking fly but I'm concerned about the standard guage wire. Will that fine wire hold up with bigger fish?

Also, while I was at the shop I found these:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0065552320734a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&No=36&Ntt=mustad+hooks&cm_mmc=PPC-_-MSN+Non+Brand-_-fis_Terminal+Tackle_Hooks-_-mustad+hooks&Ntk=Products&_requestid=32461&N=0&Nty=1&rid=0123456789

These are 3X heavy standard nymph hooks from Mustad, the S80-3906. I picked these up in a size 16. They have the same shank length as the TMC 3769 but with a wider hook gap. Any thoughts from anyone on this hook?

Chris Topmiller · « **Reply #15 on:** May 03, 2010, 11:59:19 AM »

Thanks Loren.

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #16 on:** December 03, 2010, 11:44:37 AM »

i have noticed the c49s to be a bit weak in the vise when compared to the tiemco , haven't fished them yet , but if they are good enough for team usa then they are good enough for me , thanks for the moral support Loren !

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #17 on:** December 03, 2010, 12:14:51 PM »

never used them but allenflyfishing.com has caddis pupa hooks wide gap heavy wire for 7.00 a hundred which if they are worth a pinch of shit is a smokin deal ! i think they are 17.00 for 250 , he has other deals on reels and fly line etc.

Devin Olsen · « **Reply #18 on:** December 17, 2010, 12:12:13 PM »

I used the C49s for a while back when they first came out. They repeatedly bent out in bigger fish or on rocks. They also rusted quite easily. So I haven't tried them since but that was 7+ years ago. I don't know if they've changed them in the intervening time but I wasn't happy with them back then. I tend to like a little heavier gauge wire.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #19 on:** December 17, 2010, 03:46:16 PM »

Thats sound half right for the new hooks Devin. I use the C49s for steelhead and they hold fine but they still rust really easy. I think but I'm not sure they changed the hooks a year or two ago.

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #20 on:** December 17, 2010, 07:57:17 PM »

ok thanks devin , my initial thought was they were really weak but i tend to really clamp down on the thread (bad habit) the c67s are a way heavier hook and i like them but i am probably done with the c49 for the light wire reason . nice to have ya aboard here devin ! i even did my own simulated trout pull on the bend of the hook with my forceps and even after only 3 beers it bent with very very light pressure , 3 beers later the c67s didn't bend at all so it is atleast three beers heavier in my opinion !