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. 