Do you love big bluegill?

where can i buy the 210 eagle claw hooks

would like to know where i can buy the 210 eagle claw hooks in the sizes that Bill Modica uses ,when he changes from the treble to the single hook. Lure parts on line and Janns netcraft dont seem to have them in their catalogs,in those sizes. these are #6 and #8 hooks.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Leo Nguyen on February 3, 2012 at 2:48pm

You have to look for the Siwash (VMC) , Gamakatsu closed or open eye) and Sproats hooks. Musky may still know where to get some of the Eagle Claw Laser. Make sure to get the ones with the LARGE EYE.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 3, 2012 at 8:01pm

As Leo says, search for type, in this case Sproat hooks. I couldnt find the 210's either. Then I discovered them being called "Sproat" on some web site. I'm not sure, but I believe the Sproat is standard with a larger eye than other hooks.

I ended up winning some Mustad sproats on ebay recently, in 6 and 8. They were bronze finished, not nickel, but Im not finicky - I got 'em. Large eye and all.

HINT: I also got some 5mm and 6mm split rings for a few bucks per 100.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Leo Nguyen on February 3, 2012 at 8:23pm

Man David, you're massive bulk guy aren't you? LOL I cannot use more than 15 hooks per year. I still have hooks that I bought 7 years ago. I have to toss some away because they were rusting. Found a way to preserve them..use a bit of WD40 to spray on the ones that I know they will be sitting for a while. It also attract fishes for some reason. I guess that's why people like to use it as an attractant..one freaking expensive attractant.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 4, 2012 at 8:14am

I do buy a lot of stuff in bulk, mostly because I find it that way. Much of it is last years stock, or even used. The Sproat hooks, for example, were older stock. I lucked into old boxes of them, 200 hooks in each for under $5, shipped.

Same with used lures. As long as I can find them in lots, I get em for a song. One at a time, retail buying is a wallet buster, IMHO. Unless I simply have to have the hottest thing of the moment, I don't mind used, old stock or last years model. It's just me.

As for the WD-40, over the years it has garnered a reputation as a fish attractant. It has even been suggested that it has fish oil in it, kind of like a "secret ingredient." Unfortunately, it's an urban legend. Sorry, Leo, but I'd suggest there are other factors that make it LOOK like it is attractive to fish.

According to it's MSDS, what it does have is mineral spirits, light machine oil, chemical surfactants and perfumes. It was originally created as a corrosion inhibitor for missile systems in the 1950's, so you are right to use it for that purpose. It also shines chrome like little else!

However, tests indicate there is nothing remotely attractive about it to fish. As far as I'm concerned, it can be considered a pollutant based on it's ingredients. I use it on equipment, but not on lures, baits, etc.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bill "Musky" Modica on February 3, 2012 at 8:39pm

Eagle Claw Lazer Siwash 210 hooks

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Badgerloader on February 5, 2012 at 6:42am

Mustad sproat 3366G & 3366A have the large eye and work well

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 5, 2012 at 8:31am

I wonder what all the cryptic ID numbers mean for these hooks? I have these same 3366A's, but also some others of the same type from Mustad with different numbers altogether.

The "336-" is the only consistent numbering element between them.

We should note that the Sproat and Siwash (210) are rather different hooks. The first thing you notice between them is the hook's bend. The Sproat has a wider radius to the bend. Typically, the shank length is also longer. A little googling suggests radically different sources for them, too.

SIWASH HOOKS: The name "Siwash" comes from the Pacific Northwest, and they are considered the "go-to" salmon hook. This style of hook is your basic "round" hook, but it is very hard, which aids in penetrating the tough mouths of big fish. It has a fairly short shank, with a straight eye alignment, round bend and a long point. It was designed for saltwater baitfishing and commercial use. The Siwash hook does a great job hooking and holding jumping species like steelhead and salmon. It's also a good hook for replacing hooks on spoons and other single-hook lures such as buzzbaits or spinnerbaits.

SPROAT HOOKS - Sproats, by contrast, were originally fly fishing hooks. They are named after W. H. Sproat, a 19th-century English angler. They are also more complicated in shape and construction and are credited as the first "circular" bend hook. This translates to what is really a compound bend - wide radius near the shank and tighter radius nearer to the point. For this reason they have a more open gape (point to shank distance), and so larger flies and baits can be used with them. They are also considered very strong, and can be had with eyes that are large or small, bent or straight.