Siwash Hook Crimping

[Captain PartyMarty]

Hi all

I have been an owner hook guy for a very long time but I seem to be experiencing a high failure rate on there Siwash hooks. I am pretty sure I had at least 7-8 lures come up this last season missing the hook. I am sure the eye was crimped closed so I am thinking they are cracking a breaking off. I feel like I am being careful using my plier to slowly close the eye but I am wondering if I am doing something wrong or if maybe there is a specific procedure or tool that does a better job. Maybe I need also consider trying a different brand.

Anyway anybody else experiencing this issue or is it just me?

CPM

 

[Hardy Guy]

Some of the new carbon hooks are very hard and brittle. They are not like the good old hooks. Slow steady squeeze with not too much squish.

 

[N2013]

Hi all

I have been an owner hook guy for a very long time but I seem to be experiencing a high failure rate on there Siwash hooks. I am pretty sure I had at least 7-8 lures come up this last season missing the hook. I am sure the eye was crimped closed so I am thinking they are cracking a breaking off. I feel like I am being careful using my plier to slowly close the eye but I am wondering if I am doing something wrong or if maybe there is a specific procedure or tool that does a better job. Maybe I need also consider trying a different brand.

Anyway anybody else experiencing this issue or is it just me?

CPM

I had the same issue as well. Mine were some old Mustads 5/0 beaked siwash. New, but Probably 30-40years old. Beauty hooks but this year for whatever reason, the eyelet would open up and ghadi. Wonder if one of those braided assist hooks through the ring would be better? Might have to try it out.

 

[Blue Hewes]

I bought a pair of pliers last year that have groves in them that cradles the eye nicely so you can get a nice steady crimp without the worry of the hook flying out. I occasionally had the hook slip or move with standard pliers in the past. I always worried about those one when I sent the lure down. Had a few hooks break here and there. I think they are mustad brand pliers. Not sure if it would help with your issue but it sure helps closing the eye.

 

[chille51]

If I am changing hooks on lures I usually am doing it at home not on the boat, in which case I just give them a gentle squeeze in my bench vice. Probably an unorthodox approach but I haven't had any issues with broken hooks or poor crimps. I'm generally using Gami hooks.

 

[Samnjoe]

I have had lots of Mustad SS hooks breat at the eye. I have slowed down the squeeze and that seems to help.
Must be a few old commies on here that could chime in?

 

[EstevanPoint]

Sounds like a bad batch of hooks? Has this been the same package, or have they all been bought at the same time? Might just be best to try a newer batch of hooks? I've not had it happen with Owner, but a pack of Mustads would consistently fail, even though many previous packs were good, and packs since have been fine. I've swapped over to Gammy Big River Open Eye hooks for basically all gear now, if you're looking for a new hook. Have not had any failures to date.

 

[RiverBoy]

If I am changing hooks on lures I usually am doing it at home not on the boat, in which case I just give them a gentle squeeze in my bench vice. Probably an unorthodox approach but I haven't had any issues with broken hooks or poor crimps. I'm generally using Gami hooks.

X2 . One steady squeeze from bench vice. Owners and other chemically sharpened hooks tend to be very brittle. Even barbs usually break off. With the eye, it’s one steady, continuous move to close it up.

 

[Red Monster]

Stopped using Owner hooks because they seem to break off as you described.

 

[Sharphooks]

I use Gamakatsu siwash hooks both in the salt chuck and for river fishing. I’m not sure why anybody would use any other brand ….sticky sharp out of the package, easy to pinch the barb (they’re relatively “soft” as hook go) and one quick brush of a file gets them sharp again after a fish or a rock

 

[Hardy Guy]

I like mustad and vmc. I use the vise or vise grips with grooves on the jaws (as mentioned) plus slow steady pressure. I like the old hooks..... don't mind using the file.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Sounds like I might have to look at changing hook suppliers

 

[Rain City]

I'm Gammy all the way. Even use them on my plugs. Light, thin and sharp as all hell.

 

[Samnjoe]

I don't like rusty hooks so I use SS Mustads for everything but bait. VMC's for bait.

 

[sly_karma]

Crimping eyes and barbs with conventional pliers isn't optimal, because the scissoring action makes gauging pressure tricky. Get something where the jaws close parallel to each other. As mentioned, a vice works if youre in the shop, but the Knipex pliers wrench is just peerless for even, consistent crimps.

 

[terrin]

I'm Gammy all the way. Even use them on my plugs. Light, thin and sharp as all hell.

Do you use Siwash or Big river?

 

[Rain City]

Do you use Siwash or Big river?

Big river but I've moved away from their open eye. With the open eye version the shank is straight like a siwash. I've come to realize that I'd rather use a split ring and have that offset in the eye of the hook that's intended for snelling. I think the angle seems to hold better. Call me crazy...

 

[Alex_c]

Crimping eyes and barbs with conventional pliers isn't optimal, because the scissoring action makes gauging pressure tricky. Get something where the jaws close parallel to each other. As mentioned, a vice works if youre in the shop, but the Knipex pliers wrench is just peerless for even, consistent crimps.

Pliers wrench are one of those things where you buy them and wonder why you didn’t sooner.

 

[Bill 310]

Crimping eyes and barbs with conventional pliers isn't optimal, because the scissoring action makes gauging pressure tricky. Get something where the jaws close parallel to each other. As mentioned, a vice works if youre in the shop, but the Knipex pliers wrench is just peerless for even, consistent crimps.

Is this the Knipex model you are using?

 

[sly_karma]

Is this the Knipex model you are using?


View attachment 123078

I use the next size up most of the time, they're 8". Rare day they don't come out of the pocket for something.