I read a interesting thread on another board regarding stinger hooks.
I've always used Gamakatsu Octopus hooks for my stingers.
Some other stinger hooks suggested in the thread were Owner SSW, Owner Mosquito and Gamakatsu Dropshot hooks.
Some good points were made regard using a hook with a straighter eye then the more turned up eye on Gamakatsu Octopus hooks. The main point being the straighter eye puts the hook in a better hooking position. Some of the hooks suggested also have more of a circle hook design to them.
Looking at some of my flies with Octopus hooks and the position the hook sits in on the stinger loop, I tend to agree there might be better options.

I'd like to hear what stinger hooks you like and the reason you use them.
Thanks for your input.
SF

First, I don't use stinger hook fly designs much. Second, I'm frugal, maybe cheap even. I thought hook prices were just right when they were $1.37 per box of 100. I've been having sticker shock ever since. Gamakatsu cost more than a bit more than I prefer to pay, altho I've bought some occasionally. I salvage a lot of hooks while wading in the summer. A few are rusted and not re-useable, but most are. I take 'em home, cut all the line from them, and sharpen if necessary and put 'em to work. Some of these are premium hooks, and they certainly represent the most popular brands, sizes, colors, etc. And they work. I like turned up eye octopus hooks, but I don't attache them with a loop knot, but rather with a loop from the shank that passes twice through the hook eye and yields a straight line pull.

The reason I use these and most hooks is the price.

Sg

I've tried quite few and usually just stick with owner cutting points and/or gamy octopus style hooks for convenience and because I typically have quite a pile of them on hand.

I have been getting to know the gamy finesse wide gaps in a number of applications lately and I continue to like them. I've rigged a few up as stinger/hang back's on flies and they definitely seem more sticky. The shank doesn't have as dramatic a bend as the octopus, which has great holding power, but not the best hooking angle when hanging down.

The wider gap gets the point a little more out there and the finer wire (as compared to an octopus of the same size) helps with the sticky factor as well. A lighter hook overall and straighter shank help the FWG's ride very well behind a fly. Lots more testing to do but primarily good things to say about them across the spectrum of uses so far.

I've used sickles for stingers as well and don't notice any real differences over the octopus. I like the Mosquitos short, fat profile for beads, but the FWG's are better.

This...and I use a #2 sickle octopus hook to make it happen.

Fish on...

Todd

Coley,
Thanks for the info on the finesse hooks. They seem to be llighter wire. Any issues with them bending out?
I've used Gami's for ever and they work fine, just looking for other options. I'm using these mainly in the salt and leave the loop long enough to swap out the hook if it gets dinged.

With the Gami Octopus having the more upturned eye, it seems ride a bit more point up then point straight ahead when on the loop.
I was hoping to find a hook that offered a slightly wider gap with a less upturned eye to give a more straight presentation when stripped in.
I think I'll buy a few packs of different hook designs and see what works best.

Salmo,
No loop knots for me. I rig the stingers as you described.

Stoney,






c/22

Stonefish,

Have you tried bending the eye of the hook if you don't care for it the way it comes stock? I do this routinely on many hooks. Of course the more brittle the forging, the less give they have without breaking.

Sg

Chrome -
What are those?

Google says....
Gamakatsu SL12S Big Game Wide Gap

That is a very nice looking hook.
The bend - kind of a modified O'Shaunessey (a wicked good bend)
The point - pushed slightly inward, out of parallel with the shank so it has to approach or go over center as it digs in.

Those are two elements that contribute to a fine hook design.

If I hadn't stocked up on gamakatsu octopus hooks last year I would go with gamakatsu light wire live bait hooks #2 & #1. We run them while tuna fishing and would RARELY bent one out

Twich, its a Gami glo bug hook on steroid's.


I was talking to one older gentleman back on Feb 27, he had hooked a huge steelhead the day before while swinging a fly on the Hoh.

Had played the fish about out when it did a quick direction swap & spit his stinger hook. He was looking @ Owner cutting points.

I asked what he had been running & he stated a Gami glo bug hook sized to the fly he was fishing that day, been using them for years w/ good results.

In the end I think he decided to stay w/ them as he put the Owners back on the wall.



c/22

Nice!!!
An SL12S awesome hook, great for saltwater applications also! Direct Drive, hit it on the head, big game hook, tarpon, tuna, marlin. It's also known as the Trey Combs hook, great design!!!

Thanks for the input.

Salmo, I've bent so light wire hooks in the past for bendback patterns. The Gami Octopus seems to break more often then not so I don't bother with them anymore.

Bantam, Thanks for the tip. I'll check out those live bait hooks.

Chromer, very nice hook but probably more then what I need. Although with global warming you never know when some albies might show up off the beaches in MA 9.....

SF

Yo stoney, that SL12 runs down to size #2 otta be right in your rezzie wheelhouse. Bump up to the 1/0 when the kings are prowling the surf?



c/22

Pros & cons, salty tube fly hooks............

http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2012/06/22/review-favorite-tube-fly-hooks/


c/22

Nice link Brad!
But noticed no love for the SC15!?! All the resident south sound coho have piercings from this hook!!!

Oh well, so many hooks, so little fish, and even less time to get after them......

Good Luck and Good Fishing Guys,
Winterun

Sc15 is goto saltwater tube hook...steelhead tubes-Was an owner nut,now Ive moved over to the mustad ultra point fine wire...2cents.