Don't Use Cheap Hooks! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

T-Rex · 07-16-2017, 10:30 AM

A friend just got back from a 10-day trip to the East Cape and he spent one day targeting grouper. He normally fishes Owner or other quality hooks, but for some reason he made his grouper/bsb rigs using 100# to off-brand made in China 11/0 hooks he picked up at a swap meet.

He landed a couple around 40 lbs with no problems, but toward the end of the day he hooked into a fish of a lifetime probably in the 200+ range. He was on about 3 seconds before this happened.

Moral of the story... don't cheap out on hooks or any other gear!

.

FullFlavorPike · 07-16-2017, 10:39 AM

Bluewater Jon · 07-16-2017, 09:52 PM

I have some horror stories. I was in Cabo and was on what may have been a triple digit tuna. I had been paddling next to a porpoise school. Battled it up to the surface until I saw color and then I got greedy and thumbed the spool, and the hook broke at the end in the shank. Damn Eagle Claws!!

PapaDave · 07-17-2017, 08:36 AM

Was fishing rockfish with an AHI squid setup. Got picked up by a large fish, think it was a YT, and the hook snapped right at the bend.

SDROB · 07-17-2017, 04:01 PM

Been there done that.
It really sinks in when you loose that big one.

I fought something huge in Gonzaga fishing w Sven last year for 30 mins and ended up straightening the hook right before I got it to color.

I learned cheap hooks and thumbing the spool don't mix...

taggermike · 07-18-2017, 07:24 AM

Damn, that sucks. Premium hooks can be pricy but if they avoid heart breaks they're more than worth it. Mike

TJones · 07-19-2017, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullFlavorPike

Dang C _ _ _ _ _ E hooks. Ya, it don't really make sense. Generally the fish we target are what most we would consider fish of a lifetime. Worse yet, you have something that you know won't let you down like a designer hook and you revert to cheaping out on tackle on one of your more expensive fishing trips. Dropping 40$ on a pack of hooks hurts. But it is more painful dropping 10$ on a handful. I try to find the 30 pack and the individual hook price may drop to just over a 1.00$ - 1.25$ give or take.

bolocop · 07-19-2017, 08:07 AM

Just so I know, an US made 100#-rated hook is supposed to not deform when fighting something 200#+?

Seems like these days, you read some inflammatory key words and people lose their logical thinking.

07-16-2017, 10:30 AM	#1
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	Don't Use Cheap Hooks! A friend just got back from a 10-day trip to the East Cape and he spent one day targeting grouper. He normally fishes Owner or other quality hooks, but for some reason he made his grouper/bsb rigs using 100# to off-brand made in China 11/0 hooks he picked up at a swap meet. He landed a couple around 40 lbs with no problems, but toward the end of the day he hooked into a fish of a lifetime probably in the 200+ range. He was on about 3 seconds before this happened. Moral of the story... don't cheap out on hooks or any other gear! . __________________

07-17-2017, 08:36 AM	#4
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,473	Same here... Was fishing rockfish with an AHI squid setup. Got picked up by a large fish, think it was a YT, and the hook snapped right at the bend. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

07-17-2017, 04:01 PM	#5
SDROB Malibu Stealth 12 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hollywood, San Diego, Gonzaga Bay Posts: 512	Been there done that. It really sinks in when you loose that big one. I fought something huge in Gonzaga fishing w Sven last year for 30 mins and ended up straightening the hook right before I got it to color. I learned cheap hooks and thumbing the spool don't mix... __________________ She will keep you warm in the winter and give you shade in the summer (Rossman) I'm telling ya, you have to keep these suckers on a game clip until just before you drop them in the frying pan.(Rossman)

07-16-2017, 10:39 AM	#2
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 809

07-16-2017, 09:52 PM	#3
Bluewater Jon Author & yakker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 34	I have some horror stories. I was in Cabo and was on what may have been a triple digit tuna. I had been paddling next to a porpoise school. Battled it up to the surface until I saw color and then I got greedy and thumbed the spool, and the hook broke at the end in the shank. Damn Eagle Claws!!

07-18-2017, 07:24 AM	#6
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Damn, that sucks. Premium hooks can be pricy but if they avoid heart breaks they're more than worth it. Mike

07-19-2017, 08:07 AM	#8
bolocop Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 332	Just so I know, an US made 100#-rated hook is supposed to not deform when fighting something 200#+? Seems like these days, you read some inflammatory key words and people lose their logical thinking.