Blue Marlin Hook Question

[Capt_John]

I always have used a bench grinder for sharpening hooks. Any of you guys tried it? I can usually find them in a pawn shop for $20 bucks and they work great.

[Captain Fred Archer]

I use longliner circle hooks on both lures and bait. However, I did use the Hays hooks while Roddy was developing them and I caught a lot of fish on them and thought that the final product was a great J-hook.

Unlike most here, or that's how it appears, I really like that "hypodermic" point and never thought to try to sharpen it. I fished the lures as is, right out of the box. To me, one of the best features of that style of hook is that it doesn't slice through fish, especially tunas, and so pulled hooks just about vanished. I fish heavier strike drags than most, so maybe that's why we had such great success with them.

My two cents. And I still love them C-hooks.

[Patudo]

Thanks Chip! Send the photos to me when you've finished snapping away and I'll be more than happy to put them up. Any recommendations you have sizing them to the lures would be great. There has been mention that some of you guys are using slightly smaller hooks eg. 9/0 jobu in a crampton tube, 8/0 in a jt funnel etc ... - is this an evolution/development based on better hookup success or is it that the jobu and hays hooks being stronger than the mustad stainless hooks has allowed for smaller hooks to be used than before?

many thanks
patudo

[Captain Fred Archer]

Just in from Hawaii. This happened when a big mahi hit a Little DaisyBar being run on a bent butt 130 with the appropriate drag. According to the angler, the mahi took off like a bat out of hell and pulled 100 yards of line off the reel before the real reason for his "super bull pull" performance made an appearance. It was a big mako that caused the long run. That run ended when the mako burst out of the water, pounced on the mahi and bit it in half. Then, seconds later, it came back for the rest of the mahi, got hooked and proceeded to do this to a Mustad stainless.

I'm sticking with my forged circles and Hays', thank you. When a fish of a lifetime or tournament winner comes along, I want big, strong hooks to do the job for me.

[merry marlin]

Just in from Hawaii. This happened when a big mahi hit a Little DaisyBar being run on a bent butt 130 with the appropriate drag. According to the angler, the mahi took off like a bat out of hell and pulled 100 yards of line off the reel before the real reason for his "super bull pull" performance made an appearance. It was a big mako that caused the long run. That run ended when the mako burst out of the water, pounced on the mahi and bit it in half. Then, seconds later, it came back for the rest of the mahi, got hooked and proceeded to do this to a Mustad stainless.

I'm sticking with my forged circles and Hays', thank you. When a fish of a lifetime or tournament winner comes along, I want big, strong hooks to do the job for me.

Capt Fred, what is the size of that hook? Almost as good just having the story of that hook as actually catching the fish!
MM

[Wound Up James]

When a fish of a lifetime or tournament winner comes along, I want big, strong hooks to do the job for me.

Couldn't agree with you more Fred. Eliminate your wink links and your chances of catching that sea monster will increase greatly. The big girls are real good at testing every part of your tackle.

[Captain Fred Archer]

Merry M,

I'll check on the hook size with my Hawaiian buddy, Courtland Pang, but I believe it started out as a 10 or 11/0 Mustad before being converted into a stainless, mini harpoon.

Yes, that was a great story, in and of itself. And it couldn't have happened to a nicer and more humble man. I love those maniacle makos almost as much as I love my wahoos...Guess my four shark books attest to that!

The Hawaiian guys have much the same fishing philosophy as I do - fish with the right gear for the biggest fish that you are likely to encounter and you will be ready for HER when she comes. Meantime, beat the crap out of the meat fish and other unlucky dinks that come along and mess with your monster hunt.

Of course, the best solution to all of that if you are interested in truly matching the tackle to the fish is to learn the art of bait and switch fishing. Believe me, you will love it if you do!) And once you learn the ins and outs you'll be amazed at how easy it is to do, even with small crews and small boats after all of the mumbo-jumbo is taken out of the equation...and you'll discover how inexpensive it can be and that it is the most exciting way to surface and even deep fish ever. And for sure, one of the best. And for tournaments? Murder! Unless you're fishing like everyone else is...then it's not murder, it's luck (for most).

WUP,

Like I said, you are one helluva wise old angler for being such a young one. And sabrino Joshster too. Good to have you in the neighborhood.

Here's that "Big Guns Only In Big Fish Country" thing from another hotshot angler, my pal Jonesy from hula-hula land. Throw that big mahi (and it is a big sucker and doesn't even have a mako attached to it) in the box, Jonesy, and get back on the blue momma hunt! (There's a marlin lure on the back of that little old bar.)

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