Capt Brian recently contacted me about this thread. To date I have never heard of any barb issues regarding our SSW Circle Hooks but after reading the thread it sounds like this is more than just one or two incidents. Without getting more info it is hard to say exactly what the problem is but I suspect it may stem from a finish problem under the barb. We have run extensive corrosion tests... saltwater hooks, freshwater hooks, saltwater, freshwater etc. All carbon steel hooks corrode eventually, it’s just a matter of how long... but one thing we have noticed is that corrosion generally begins around the barb and the points of hooks. Under the barb in particular because this is the most difficult part to apply finish. I am guessing at this point that we may have had a bad batch of hooks where there may have been poor finishing under the barb, thus barbs coming off. I would like to get some samples of these "barbless" hooks if any of you have them. Also, we place a lot number on the back of every pack. If I could get this info it would help us trace back the manufacturing origins. I would bet that most of your hooks came from very similar batch/batches. I will stay on top of this until we get an answer. Post back questions or email me at tony@ownerhooks.com
Tony
Owner Hooks
Tony, thanks for the response. Please give me an address where I can send you some of the hooks in question. I don't think I have the packages but if you want I can PM you the stores that I bought them from and maybe you can look back in your shipping records to track down the bad batch of hooks.
Here's the address:
Owner American Corporation
Attn: Tony
3199-B Airport Loop Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Andy mine were bought at Finest kind in Fl and EJW's in MHC NC.
Same issue here. I live in Fullerton, CA. Was trying out Owner Circles at the East Cape about 5 years ago. Had live mackerel on the drop back rig in the bait tank. Baits had been on the hook in the tank for about 3 hours. Dropped it back to a stripey in the spread and came tight on it, but no hook up. WTF???? Same thing happened again on a drop back to a sailfish. WTF??????????? Close inspection revealed the point had broken off each hook. Basically I was using hooks which ended up with squared off, blunt points that wouldn't penetrate through anything more than jello. I quickly re-rigged with the tried and true Mustad live bait J-hooks and it was game back on. After that experience, it's been a struggle to go back to circle hooks.
We had the 7/0 and 8/0 SSW rigged up with a straight connect to 20# monel. Def no damage occurred while trying to fit the barb of the hook into a swivel because we don't use that method. If it helps we brought them at Hinches about 3-4 weeks ago. This isn't a specific Hinches problem, by any means, they had no clue what they were selling in the package. Let me check my bags and see if I possibly have any of these hooks left that I can send you that never touched the water. One other note if it matters on the hook appearance is they all had a "redish tint" to the hook from the shank down. If I have them I will get them to you.
Chuck on your experiment I am not sure if you are going to be able to duplicate the same scenario. We were fishing in 81-82 degree gulf stream gin clear water in the Wilmington on a scum line. You are dunking those hooks in bay mud.