PuntaGorda Posted December 23, 2012 Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 I am looking for some help finding hooks for my new jig molds. I just bought two molds from Do-It. They are the Banana Jig (JYS-4-A) and the Stand Up HD Jig (SUHD-5-A). Both molds are made for Eagle Claw hooks (635 and 413). These hooks are too light for inshore saltwater use. Some might argure this position, but for us, they are not going to work. Does anyone know if there are other options for stronger hooks that will work in these molds. Mustad has a nice hook that I've used in Mission Fishin jigs, but I'm not sure they will work in my milds. I've been told that the mold is specifically made for the reccomended hook. So far, I have not used the molds and can return them. As another alternative, are there other molds available, or companies that custom make molds that might be more suitable for our use? Thank you for your help - John Punta Gorda, FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defish Posted December 23, 2012 Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 Welcome to TU John! It's easier and cheaper to modify your molds to fit the hooks that you like than to get custom molds made. I've modifyed molds for different brand hooks and to step up from a #2 to a 3/0 hook. Here's a quick "how to." Clamp the mold in a vise or to your work bench to secure it. Use a Sharpie to ink mold in the area that needs modifying. Lay a hook in the mold and use a scriber or awl to trace around the area that doesn't fit in the original hook cavity. Use a dremel tool with metal cutting bits (not the abrasive bits - they don't work as well with aluminum) and slowly and CAREFULLY remove the metal in the area that you marked. Check as you go to see that if the hook fits and that the mold closes completely. Good luck. Dan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuntaGorda Posted December 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 Dan, Thank you for your response. I agree with your comment. Since my post, I've had family around over the Holidays with better tool/dye knowledge than I. I now need to find the hook that I want and then I think I'll take the molds to a local tool/dye shop and ask them to make the modification. Does anyone have an idea on strong, sharp, saltwarter hooks that would be approprieate for these molds. The cost isn't a major issue, as I'm only making them for personal use. I use Owner hooks (J and circle) for my live bait fishing and like their strength and sharpness. Happy Holidays - John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippinfool Posted December 27, 2012 Report Share Posted December 27, 2012 Dan, Thank you for your response. I agree with your comment. Since my post, I've had family around over the Holidays with better tool/dye knowledge than I. I now need to find the hook that I want and then I think I'll take the molds to a local tool/dye shop and ask them to make the modification. Does anyone have an idea on strong, sharp, saltwarter hooks that would be approprieate for these molds. The cost isn't a major issue, as I'm only making them for personal use. I use Owner hooks (J and circle) for my live bait fishing and like their strength and sharpness. Happy Holidays - John Mustad 32786bln is a geat hook for saltwater. My pop lives in Port St.lucie and is on the salt 4-5 days a week. All the heads I make him are with the 32786bln's. Get the molds that best fit your style of fishing. What are using the heads for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted December 27, 2012 Report Share Posted December 27, 2012 Indeed, the 32786 BLN used to be the standard for FL flats jigs, but since member Smalljaw reported a problem with the newer 32786 NPBN version quality control might be questionable. Whats certain is that the EC 635 and 413 have not adapted to the trend to higher carbon harder tempered steel wire, and there are many stronger hooks available. Owner has some unique salt water capable jig hooks tho I have read reports that their black finish MIGHT be more rust prone than others. But man, are they pricey! Barlows is a good one stop for small lot look see quantities of most major brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted December 27, 2012 Report Share Posted December 27, 2012 Hawn is correct, my last order of Mustads are going to be my last order. I called the supplier and asked about the problems I was experiencing and I was told they moved most of their production to china and it could be the reason. Now to be fair not every thing coming out of china is junk but the mustads that I used for years with no problems have become junk. I used the 91768 and 32786 jig hooks and the 32608 spinnerbait hooks the most and what I found is the ultra points fold over bad on a snag anymore and that was the best part that I liked as gammys and owners both have cutting points that get damaged with a slight snag but the mustad always was shap even after hitting rocks but no more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogajiga Posted December 27, 2012 Report Share Posted December 27, 2012 I've been a big fan of Ultra Point since its inception many years ago. Huge improvement over Mustad standard old school jig hooks. The first UP versions had a sharp tip flaring quickly back into a bulge with a short taper that was near impossible to fold, but required noticeably more force to hookset. Personally, I had no problem since I was used to double or triple hookset pulls. The next version lost the bulge but still had a shorter taper than Gamakatsu or Eagle Claw for example and was easier to hookset while still remaining fold resistant. Currently, the "Ultra Point BLN" label is gone on the 32786 NPBN & the longer taper new style point looks more vulnerable to folding, verified by Smalljaw. Whether the easier hookset is worth EZer point fold is an individual decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
