Anyone know anything about Hooks USA or VMC hooks?

[Losthwy 0]

http://www.hooksusa.com/hooks/fresh-water-sport/universal/national-round-universal-hook

 

They have a hook made by VMC never heard of them but they are very reasonable. Anyone know anything about them?

[JSzymczyk 0]

VMC is a company in the Rapala line. I have not used any VMC fly hooks, but I have used lots of VMC lure hooks- trebles and singles. In my experience the quality is as good as anything out there. The hook in your link is "half reversed" meaning the point is offset from the axis of the shank. Usually this is not desired for flies.

[Losthwy 0]

Thanks. That hook seems to be similar to the Partridge Predator (CS 86) which has the "Aberdeen Bend". I've been looking for less expensive version. The VMC comes out to roughly $0.10 ea verses $0.90 for the Partridge.

[Cold 0]

Back when I was mostly spin fishing, the VMCs on my Rapalas did a fine job.

 

That half-reverse is to improve hookups but can be a pain at the vise, especially for patterns where you're reorienting the hook a few times through rotation or inversion. If not, you can mostly counteract the reverse by simply shifting your vise a bit so that the shank is still situated properly. I've got a bunch of old vintage Mustad dry fly hooks with the reverse and I just pull the head of my Regal over toward me a bit and I'm good to go.

[whatfly 0]

My only experience with VMC hooks is with the older models made for fly tying. Those hooks were so brittle that there was a 50-50 chance that when you went to debarb the hook, the entire hook point snapped off.

 

Those Predator hooks are a bit pricey, as are all Partridge hooks seemingly. Have you looked at other options like the Gamakatsu B10S? Different bend, and a bit shorter than a CS86, but more affordable and a popular streamer hook. Have seen some tiers use the Gamakatsu SS hooks as well, but those are a bit more money.

[Losthwy 0]

I did look at the B10S and the Mustard C52S BLN. But made the choice of the wide gap Partridge type hooks after watching Kelly Galloup explaining why he uses them. Which is due to the large head, big streamer flies he ties and I'll be tying. You are right those Predators are pricey.

 

Slide Inn Q&A #3 with Kelly Galloup - Hooks

[FIN-ITE 34 0]

If you want cheap, just look for an Aberdeen style hook by the likes of Eagle Claw or Mustad.

[whatfly 0]

I did look at the B10S and the Mustard C52S BLN. But made the choice of the wide gap Partridge type hooks after watching Kelly Galloup explaining why he uses them. Which is due to the large head, big streamer flies he ties and I'll be tying. You are right those Predators are pricey.

 

Slide Inn Q&A #3 with Kelly Galloup - Hooks

Galloup's point is valid, but if you watch the video again, he does point out that you can also get the same effect by just upsizing the hook. A stinger hook will serve just as easily as an Aberdeen hook, if it provides sufficient length so the gape is not crowded. He also points out that he likes to use the Daiichi 2461, which is a heck of a lot cheaper than the Partridge as well, and that also might be a good solution to your problem. Best of luck.

[Losthwy 0]

Thanks I'll give Daichi 2461 a look.

[Losthwy 0]

I miss that part of the video when mentions Daichi 246. I just checked they look good and they are about 1/3 of the Partridge.

[Philly 0]

I've used the 2461 for pike and bass flies. They're a good hook. I've switched over to the Eagle Claw Aberdeen hook. I've got them up to size 3/0 but you'll probably have to go online and look at catalogs from Barlow's or Jann's Netcraft to find them. Some of the stinger hooks have 2 XL shanks and the wide gape round bend.

[tidewaterfly 0]

I use VMC hooks and have had no issues. But, the ones I'm using aren't fly hooks. It might depend on the sizes you need, but look at spinnerbait hooks too. Even Mustad makes some very good ones in their Ultra Point series that are both strong & sharp. I've tied Striped Bass flies on them. Eagle Claw also makes some that are strong, just not as sharp as they could be. The EC 253 is "the" hook used for flatwing streamers by many folks for targeting Striped Bass. The EC 067L is also a very good hook for big flies. It used to be called the Billy Pate Tarpon hook.

 

Also, there are some "live bait" hooks that work well for larger streamers.