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My ballyhoo rigging bucket went MIA last sunday, some SOB took it along with all the leaders and hooks, so i have to rerig everything from scratch.
I've been using Mustad 7732 in 6/0 and 7/0 sizes for the ballys, but i'm looking for better hook options (if any) in the market. Is there a better straight shank for rigging in the market that you can recommend considering? Please help me out.
The Mustad 34007 stainless O'Shaughnessey is not too bad. Thin wire for easy penetration on light tackle, stainless can be made super sharp. Use slightly bigger sizes as the sizing system is different - you'll probably want 8/0 to 9/0 if you were rigging with 6/0 and 7/0 7732s. If you don't like the long shank (it places the hook further back in the bait and some say takes away from the swimming action), the 9175 Mustad is fine, or the 7766 tarpon hook. If you're fishing with wire leaders a needle eye hook like the 3412C? is ideal. They are all cheaper than the 7732 so that's great too.
yup, normally we don't get horse ballyhoo here, hence the 6/0 or slightly bigger hooks in 7732 size. Of course stainless will be the material of choice due to durability (unless i get ripped off again). I will note all the model numbers you gave me and check them personally because, as you guys noted, the size # and real dimensions don't even match the same manufacturer.
I have left some 3407SSD's (duratin), but in general i dont like them and not enough for the summer season.
... Keep it coming gentlemen, i want to buy just once.
Mustad 9175UPBLN 8/0. Durable black finish Strong, super sharp unbendable points. Basically a better hi-tech 9175. Priced less per 100 than a 10 pack of 7732 6/0. About the same size as the 7732 6/0 or 7/0. The most popular J hook for rigging bally for billfish in my area.
The 34007's work for me...a couple of passes with a file and those hooks are needle sharp.
Which hook size are you using Tireless? 7/0, 8/0 or 9/0 ? I think i will go with them eventually. I read you use 50's in your spread trolling, any issues with bending or pulling hooks on heavy drags? The 7/0 hooks seem to be on the light gauge size.
I am pulling 7/0's now picua....8/0 for larger bait. The SS holds up well and I haven't had a hook straighten yet. My drags are only good for around 25 to 30 lbs so my hooks have not been severely tested.
I just re-rigged a lure with some 7691 and can see the huge difference in the solidity of the hook when compared to the 34007.........night and day. I plan on giving these hooks a chance in the spread to see how they perform. ....I do wonder if they will track well in a medium hoo.
the 7961's will work perfect, have no doubt about it, half of the fleet in my marina use them, and some intermix with the 7732.
In a longer term they are worth it, i bet that eventually you will start replacing all bally hooks with them, write it in stone!
I just can't afford to buy 50 7732's or 7961 at a time.
Best regards, and thanks for the info.
I didn't look at the cost differential until I read your post picua....wow. The 34007's cost around 40 cents a piece and the 7691's closer to $4. Goodness gracious I understand your comment now.......for that price they better work well.
IMO you don't need the strength of a 7691/7732 style hook for light tackle fishing with 30 lb and light-drag 50 lb on smaller fish below 100 lb. 34007s and the other O'Shaughnessey style hooks are adequately strong for general fishing and have the advantage of being thinner wire - easier to set on lighter tackle. Plus they are cheaper which makes it easier on the wallet if you are fishing regularly and having to cut off billfish on a regular basis.
Now if you are targeting bigger fish like blue marlin on 50 lb tackle and over the greater strength of the 7691S style hooks comes into their own. But for general fishing the O'Shaughnessey is fine.
If you rig a ballyhoo (possibly a horse) up with a Islander do you put anything between the ballyhoo beak and the head of the lure to prevent the hoo from getting mangled? Thanks.
Although i haven't used any ilander lure heads, my ballyhoo/lure combos are small chuggers with a hollow cavity in the inside of the resin head where the ballyhoo (beakless) head fits tight. I would guess the illander lures have that same design, specially for the quality and price. so the answer is no, theres no need to put anything between the bait and the lure head.
Ballyhoo rigging hooks? 
