So the more I read here at BBG, the more I realize I need to invest in some long-shank hooks if I am going to really target them. Are there specific hooks you guys really love? If so, do you buy them online? If so, where?
Mustad's Aberdeen has been one of my favorite hooks as well. Over the years, I've found it to be appropriate for many species of small fish and I have landed some large ones too. Mustad makes two Aberdeen, straight shank, hooks. One has a hollow point and one is a straight point. The thin wire and sharp points make them easily set and their holding power is good too. While they are not of a design that would "catch" fishermen, they do catch fish. I use them for Speckled perch, bream, catfish, flounder, whiting and am not afraid to try them out on anything I would fish for with 10 lb. line.
You can tie it on with a bunch of granny knots if you want, but a fisherman's clinch or improved clinch is my choice. I also will snell them when I'm goofing off.
Bream aren't too particular which hook they bite, but the thin metal and sharp point of an Aberdeen seems to be irresistible. I'd use a diaper pin if I had too. :-)
#10 and #12 hooks are tiny! I've never used anything smaller than a #8, and #6 is my preference. I don't care much for long-shank hooks either, though they are easier to remove. I think a short hook presents the bait more naturally, especially a cricket.
I'm always able to find something suitable at Walmart or most any bait shop.
I would get the red ones if they had them. The last time I was able to get red mustads in quantity was at Academy in Texas. I'm a fan of them for gills and crappie.
I have some red hooks, can't remember the brand, but the red comes off in the water within 2-3 casts. Does yours do that too? I have an Academy nearby, I'll try there. Thanks for the info
The Mustads and Gamakatsus that I have bought only lose red when it gets scraped off and that takes a lot of doing. The paint seems to last a long time for me.
I have tried some tru turn red hooks. It did take a while for the red to come off. I never could say they made any difference. I do like a long shank because they are a little easier to remove when deep. But the red ones never made a difference I could tell. I think the cricket on the hook is so dominate, color doesn't matter.
I have always fished gold but was fishing with friend and he was tearing them up within 2 ft of me on a red hook. Red may be better in certain conditions, but I'll stay with gold. By the way, the cost for 4 long shanked red hooks was like 2.50 at the bait shop. I beat my fishing partner 75% of the time anyway. I think the bobber is more important than the hook.
Eagle Claw
This longshank 'Crappie' hook makes a great BlueGill hook for bait such as worms and Mealworms.They come in Gold,Red,Light Green and I think Silver
These are non offset and come out of the fishs' mouth easier than offset.They are very light wire hooks and BlueGills and Crappie have no problem taking them.