I'm finally running out of my beloved Fox 2b 8 hooks after 20 years so I'm looking for alternatives, any suggestions?
I bought 2 new packs so far
ESP Cryogen Floater, tried for the 1st time yesterday. I like the straight point but the hooks out of the packet are as rough as sandpaper towards the hook point and they don't file easily smooth, anyone else had this? The point also turned on the 1st fish and wasn't that easy to resharpen to the point I replaced it. Some of my Fox 1bs have done multiple fish, I've never entertained the thought of replacing hooks after just 1 fish.
Korda Mixa, not used yet, near identical to the 1b but with a more pronounced out turn of the point, a lighter hook to the ESP.
I'd prefer a straight eye, that's why I ruled out the Fox Zig hook, if someone tells me they work well for floaters I may well try them. I'm not adverse to a light or heavy pattern hook though I'm more used to the light.
*correction, 2b not 1, edited
I bought 2 new packs so far
ESP Cryogen Floater, tried for the 1st time yesterday. I like the straight point but the hooks out of the packet are as rough as sandpaper towards the hook point and they don't file easily smooth, anyone else had this? The point also turned on the 1st fish and wasn't that easy to resharpen to the point I replaced it. Some of my Fox 1bs have done multiple fish, I've never entertained the thought of replacing hooks after just 1 fish.
Korda Mixa, not used yet, near identical to the 1b but with a more pronounced out turn of the point, a lighter hook to the ESP.
I'd prefer a straight eye, that's why I ruled out the Fox Zig hook, if someone tells me they work well for floaters I may well try them. I'm not adverse to a light or heavy pattern hook though I'm more used to the light.
*correction, 2b not 1, edited
In reply to Post #1
The korda mixa hook points turn for me at the sight of a fish. They are completely unusable after a fish, or when you pull them out their mouth they bend over which is super annoying when you just want to get the rod back out.
Very sharp though, and the rest of the hook is a lot stronger than they look.
The korda mixa hook points turn for me at the sight of a fish. They are completely unusable after a fish, or when you pull them out their mouth they bend over which is super annoying when you just want to get the rod back out.
Very sharp though, and the rest of the hook is a lot stronger than they look.
In reply to Post #2
The korda mixa hook points turn for me at the sight of a fish. They are completely unusable after a fish, or when you pull them out their mouth they bend over which is super annoying when you just want to get the rod back out.
That's not great then :-( thank you
The korda mixa hook points turn for me at the sight of a fish. They are completely unusable after a fish, or when you pull them out their mouth they bend over which is super annoying when you just want to get the rod back out.
That's not great then :-( thank you
Floater and zig fishing the hook sharpness couldn't be any more important. One hook per fish is a small price to pay surely. Want them hooks as razor sharp as you can get away with. Not like being on the bottom having a more robust hook
Have a look at the Nash pinpoint flota claw hooks im using them at the minute like them so far for so good. Don't usually use Nash gear but there's hooks are strong, ideal
Gape and sharp. Can then be sharpened further. Sure soon as the hook touches anything hard it's done but just be careful and change the hook after a fish
Gape and sharp. Can then be sharpened further. Sure soon as the hook touches anything hard it's done but just be careful and change the hook after a fish
I do likethe Korda Mixas and they'd be my first choice but have experienced the same with the points dulling/turning over. Can be a nightmare in ultra weedy waters. When that is the case I've stepped up to an Korda Wide Gape in an 8
In reply to Post #4
Floater and zig fishing the hook sharpness couldn't be any more important. One hook per fish is a small price to pay surely. Want them hooks as razor sharp as you can get away with. Not like being on the bottom having a more robust hook
1 hook per fish, never going to happen I'm afraid, not unless I'm fishing a mega difficult water for very special fish or they're the only hook at the time. Yesterday I had 3 takes and 1 fish, last time on that water I had 12 doubles in 3 hours. I agree re sharpness, one of the reasons I liked the Fox 1b, they would re sharpen easily, time and time again, yes really. I don't mind the point going over as long as it'll resharpen easily. Thank you for the suggestion, I'll take a look.
@ jt10 & leeroy do the Mixa resharpen easily? I'd normally assume so but the ESP didn't for me. My mind was wondering last night about this and I remembered the father in law out catching me on Baden Hall when it was a high singles water. Everything was the same rig/lead wise, the only difference the hook, which was a Korda Mixa, which he'd picked up by accident as he hadn't taken his glasses
We were fishing bottom baits and he caught quite a few without refreshing the hook, I wonder if they've changed anything...hmm.
A couple of weeks later the bugger presented me with 2 pre tied rigs hand tied by the Baden expert
Floater and zig fishing the hook sharpness couldn't be any more important. One hook per fish is a small price to pay surely. Want them hooks as razor sharp as you can get away with. Not like being on the bottom having a more robust hook
1 hook per fish, never going to happen I'm afraid, not unless I'm fishing a mega difficult water for very special fish or they're the only hook at the time. Yesterday I had 3 takes and 1 fish, last time on that water I had 12 doubles in 3 hours. I agree re sharpness, one of the reasons I liked the Fox 1b, they would re sharpen easily, time and time again, yes really. I don't mind the point going over as long as it'll resharpen easily. Thank you for the suggestion, I'll take a look.
@ jt10 & leeroy do the Mixa resharpen easily? I'd normally assume so but the ESP didn't for me. My mind was wondering last night about this and I remembered the father in law out catching me on Baden Hall when it was a high singles water. Everything was the same rig/lead wise, the only difference the hook, which was a Korda Mixa, which he'd picked up by accident as he hadn't taken his glasses
We were fishing bottom baits and he caught quite a few without refreshing the hook, I wonder if they've changed anything...hmm.A couple of weeks later the bugger presented me with 2 pre tied rigs hand tied by the Baden expert
Just thought I'd feed this back, I've today checked the remaining 8 new hooks and 4 of them have burrs to the points or rough extrusion to the points, so in my case 5 from 10 hooks.
I called the shop I bought them from and 3 out of 10 in a new pack in the shop also had the same problem. Of note is lots of little point/nick marks on the inner paper sleeve to both packs, mine also had some to the plastic outer. This is pretty normal but not if the points turn because of it. Maybe it's a transport issue, to much weight on the pack who knows.
I'm guessing the issue is because the points are so sharp/thin, but that seems at odds with my trouble to resharpen on the bank. I seem to remember Korda having a similar issue a long time back, was it the Kamakura...can't quite remember.
Anyhow, I'm going to sacrifice one or 2, burr them & try to resharpen and see where I get. It's at time like this I wish I had one of those hook clamps! I know it's a trade off between sharpness and strength but maybe they should come with the point protected somehow.
I called the shop I bought them from and 3 out of 10 in a new pack in the shop also had the same problem. Of note is lots of little point/nick marks on the inner paper sleeve to both packs, mine also had some to the plastic outer. This is pretty normal but not if the points turn because of it. Maybe it's a transport issue, to much weight on the pack who knows.
I'm guessing the issue is because the points are so sharp/thin, but that seems at odds with my trouble to resharpen on the bank. I seem to remember Korda having a similar issue a long time back, was it the Kamakura...can't quite remember.
Anyhow, I'm going to sacrifice one or 2, burr them & try to resharpen and see where I get. It's at time like this I wish I had one of those hook clamps! I know it's a trade off between sharpness and strength but maybe they should come with the point protected somehow.
In reply to Post #7
Fair enough wasn't thinking about the type of angling you're doing
Fair enough wasn't thinking about the type of angling you're doing
In reply to Post #9
Why am I struggling with all those bends in a hook re the claw but if it's good it's good.
Why am I struggling with all those bends in a hook re the claw but if it's good it's good.
In reply to Post #8
"It's at time like this I wish I had one of those hook clamps! "
The hand held one I have is not very good, it won't clamp the hook tight enough.
With the exception of a quick touch up on the bank I sharpen my hooks at home in a fly tying vice. They hold the hook really well and gives you two hands to control the file or stone.
I see in another thread you're getting into fly fishing, so a cheap vice might be a worthwhile investment.
"It's at time like this I wish I had one of those hook clamps! "
The hand held one I have is not very good, it won't clamp the hook tight enough.
With the exception of a quick touch up on the bank I sharpen my hooks at home in a fly tying vice. They hold the hook really well and gives you two hands to control the file or stone.
I see in another thread you're getting into fly fishing, so a cheap vice might be a worthwhile investment.
In reply to Post #11
Hi Ged, thanks for the feed back I've been building up my fly fishing stuff for a few years now, I have a fly tying vice, thanks for the suggestion.
Your comment re the hand clamp not working has got me thinking about my knotless knot tyers for match fishing, the type that hold the hook, might give one a go, though with them being plastic I can't see it being any good but who knows.
Hi Ged, thanks for the feed back
I've been building up my fly fishing stuff for a few years now, I have a fly tying vice, thanks for the suggestion.Your comment re the hand clamp not working has got me thinking about my knotless knot tyers for match fishing, the type that hold the hook, might give one a go, though with them being plastic I can't see it being any good but who knows.
In reply to Post #12
Try sharpening with your fly tying vice, it's ideal to have your hook orienetated in which ever direction suits you, I prefer the point pointing upwards. And it's so much easier when you're not hanging onto the hook with one hand and trying to keep the file accurate with the other.
Ive got a couple of the Matchman hook tyers, I've never tried them for sharpening, but can't see them gripping the hook tight enough.
Try sharpening with your fly tying vice, it's ideal to have your hook orienetated in which ever direction suits you, I prefer the point pointing upwards. And it's so much easier when you're not hanging onto the hook with one hand and trying to keep the file accurate with the other.
Ive got a couple of the Matchman hook tyers, I've never tried them for sharpening, but can't see them gripping the hook tight enough.
In reply to Post #13
The good old Drennan Super Specialist. Or the Drennan barbel hook. Same pattern Thicker gauge wire with a slight interned eye. I also like the korda mixer aswell. 
In reply to Post #15
Thanks I'll have a nosey. I spent a hour or so yesterday simply playing with the Korda Mixa hook and testing the breaking strain of the Fox Floater line I have. One thing that really surprised me...I was thinking of making the hooklink QR by using a some of my tear drop links to a qr swivel but the knot consistantly broke at the link, using both a 5 turn grinner and palomar, the hook knot never gave 1st. I changed the tear drop link to a swivel and round rig ring and no more problem, glad I checked!
The Korda Mixa did bend out under pressure but reverted back to shape after the pressure is let off, quite impressed but not so sure it'd be great where you have to apply a bit of teddy.
Also lost my last ESP small float last time out so I'm going to try the ESP in line. It arrived today, got to say the size 9 swivel is a bit too tight in the bead for my liking, going to have to fettle with that!
Thanks I'll have a nosey. I spent a hour or so yesterday simply playing with the Korda Mixa hook and testing the breaking strain of the Fox Floater line I have. One thing that really surprised me...I was thinking of making the hooklink QR by using a some of my tear drop links to a qr swivel but the knot consistantly broke at the link, using both a 5 turn grinner and palomar, the hook knot never gave 1st. I changed the tear drop link to a swivel and round rig ring and no more problem, glad I checked!
The Korda Mixa did bend out under pressure but reverted back to shape after the pressure is let off, quite impressed but not so sure it'd be great where you have to apply a bit of teddy.
Also lost my last ESP small float last time out so I'm going to try the ESP in line. It arrived today, got to say the size 9 swivel is a bit too tight in the bead for my liking, going to have to fettle with that!
In reply to Post #16
28th June atomic tackle are relaunching and their stinga hooks are perfect floater hooks
28th June atomic tackle are relaunching and their stinga hooks are perfect floater hooks
In reply to Post #17
I'll have a nosey, thank you
I received a replacement pack of the ESP Cryogen Surface today and a packet of the Nash Claw 2 of the ESP have slight burrs, 1 a very rough finish to the hook 10mm to point so I won't be using these hooks going forward. The Nash Flota all hooks fine, being new to me a interesting pattern, very sharp. The point looks like it'll sharpen but not too many times, we'll see. I'll also give it a strength test before using, could the point be less inturned for my liking, we'll see.
EDIT, done a bit more testing today those flota are a lot stronger than the mixa, don't bend nearly as much. I went to the shop and had a look at the Drennan Barbless Super Specialist, and specimen barbless, bit too thin I thought.
I'll have a nosey, thank you
I received a replacement pack of the ESP Cryogen Surface today and a packet of the Nash Claw 2 of the ESP have slight burrs, 1 a very rough finish to the hook 10mm to point so I won't be using these hooks going forward. The Nash Flota all hooks fine, being new to me a interesting pattern, very sharp. The point looks like it'll sharpen but not too many times, we'll see. I'll also give it a strength test before using, could the point be less inturned for my liking, we'll see.
EDIT, done a bit more testing today those flota are a lot stronger than the mixa, don't bend nearly as much. I went to the shop and had a look at the Drennan Barbless Super Specialist, and specimen barbless, bit too thin I thought.
In reply to Post #18
Just a word on Mixa hooks, I wouldnt discount them, they go in like a needle and secure a deep seated hookhold.
I have total faith in them.
Just a word on Mixa hooks, I wouldnt discount them, they go in like a needle and secure a deep seated hookhold.
I have total faith in them.
I used the Nash Flota for the 1st time yesterday, landed my 1st Carp on it. That particular fight involved the fish getting stuck in reeds, coming free then getting stuck in branches before being netted, the hook help up admirably (it was a very tight swim).
One thing I kept having a problem with, the Fox zig line getting wind knots, the last hook link used had 2. Completely perplexes me, ESP inline, watching it out all the way, feathered before landing. Technically & visually impossible but it happened
One thing I kept having a problem with, the Fox zig line getting wind knots, the last hook link used had 2. Completely perplexes me, ESP inline, watching it out all the way, feathered before landing. Technically & visually impossible but it happened
Sounds all too technical for me.
I use size 8 Korum bait band hooks for my flota fishing. They're the easiest hook to band a dog biscuit on for me.
Had 2 x 18s and plenty of mid doubles on these. I do get through a few on a session though. 😃
I use size 8 Korum bait band hooks for my flota fishing. They're the easiest hook to band a dog biscuit on for me.
Had 2 x 18s and plenty of mid doubles on these. I do get through a few on a session though. 😃
In reply to Post #22
I use size 8 Korum bait band hooks for my flota fishing. They're the easiest hook to band a dog biscuit on for me.
Very similar to the John Roberts bait bands I use, love having the tag underneath. I never really got on with just silicone bands.
I use size 8 Korum bait band hooks for my flota fishing. They're the easiest hook to band a dog biscuit on for me.
Very similar to the John Roberts bait bands I use, love having the tag underneath. I never really got on with just silicone bands.
In reply to Post #23
Not heard of 'John Roberts bait bands' .
I'll have to do some research as the size 8 Korum bait bands are no longer being produced.
I managed to find 14 pack on line left at AD and bought the lot.
Not heard of 'John Roberts bait bands' .
I'll have to do some research as the size 8 Korum bait bands are no longer being produced.
I managed to find 14 pack on line left at AD and bought the lot.
In reply to Post #24
Not heard of 'John Roberts bait bands' .
Your probably not as old as me (50) there wasn't much else around way back when! I've just ordered 72 what look like identical Korum ones from Temu in 8mm for £2
Check here
John Robert type Click here
Not heard of 'John Roberts bait bands' .
Your probably not as old as me (50)
there wasn't much else around way back when! I've just ordered 72 what look like identical Korum ones from Temu in 8mm for £2Check here
John Robert type Click here
In reply to Post #25
Do these bait bands stay in place? I normally just use a folded over small elastic bait band. Which I then pull through my floater and hold in place with a boilie stop. But ihave to superglue them in place to stop them moving on the cast..
Do these bait bands stay in place? I normally just use a folded over small elastic bait band. Which I then pull through my floater and hold in place with a boilie stop. But ihave to superglue them in place to stop them moving on the cast..
In reply to Post #24
'Your probably not as old as me (50)'
Try 58!
They're not quite the same as the ones I'm using, The Korum bait band I'm using are on their hooks via a hair
https://www.bordonanglingcentre.co.uk/product/korum-hook-hairs-with-bait-bands-barbless/
'Your probably not as old as me (50)'
Try 58!
They're not quite the same as the ones I'm using, The Korum bait band I'm using are on their hooks via a hair
https://www.bordonanglingcentre.co.uk/product/korum-hook-hairs-with-bait-bands-barbless/
In reply to Post #26
I've always put a small blob of superglue in front of them, might be repeating myself there, I'm on my phone so not easy to check.
@StevieB90, not sure why I had you down for the tabbed bands, must be confusing you with someone else.
I've always put a small blob of superglue in front of them, might be repeating myself there, I'm on my phone so not easy to check.
@StevieB90, not sure why I had you down for the tabbed bands, must be confusing you with someone else.
In reply to Post #20
How did it compare to the other hooks you've tested in holding its sharpness/point?
How did it compare to the other hooks you've tested in holding its sharpness/point?
In reply to Post #29
No discernable difference from when it went out, certainly happy to use it again
No discernable difference from when it went out, certainly happy to use it again
In reply to Post #1
I haven't tried any others for comparison, but I have used the mixas for 3 or 4 years now and have no reason to change. Always micro barb and in a variety sizes 8-12.
I haven't tried any others for comparison, but I have used the mixas for 3 or 4 years now and have no reason to change. Always micro barb and in a variety sizes 8-12.
In reply to Post #11
I've had a JAG hook vice for years, works exactly as you need it to.
I used the JAG file in the groove of the thumb screw to really tighten it up if required.
Dont use the JAG file for sharpening anymore, it becomes useless way to quickly, now using a proper jewelers file.
To answer the question in the thread, i have had good success on Nash Floata Claw
I've had a JAG hook vice for years, works exactly as you need it to.
I used the JAG file in the groove of the thumb screw to really tighten it up if required.
Dont use the JAG file for sharpening anymore, it becomes useless way to quickly, now using a proper jewelers file.
To answer the question in the thread, i have had good success on Nash Floata Claw
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