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So I was given a ton of those hooks with the diversion in the bend so that the point is not directly under the shank. I think they call them "plain shank."
I have a ton of them. Can I tye flies on them, or will the flies behave funny when I retrieve them. What about straigtening them?
don't think they will upset the pattern when fishing, except maybe on dries. straightening them should be easy enough, if you have that many of them testing a few won't hurt http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
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Born to fish, forced to work.
I tie a lot on "offset" hooks. You should just tie on the as they are. They will dramatically increase your hookup percentage. I have found myself even bending straight hooks so they are offset.
Okie Noodler,
I've tied lots of bluegill and bass baits on these very hooks. I have not noticed any strange movements because of the offset. I'm not sure what size hooks you are going to be using but would agree with previous response with regards to dry flies. I think as long as you tie something that will be fished below the surface you'll be fine.
Hi Okie,
As Cheech said, the offset can actually
increase hookups. I use a lot of standard
bait style hooks in tying various warmwater
flies with very good results. Don't be
afraid to experiment. And yes, if you
really want them straight, you can tweak
them with a pair of needlenosed pliars.*G*
Warm regards, Jim
Are these hooks "kirbed" ?
They can also be straightened right in your vise just need to position so as the hook can be striaghted at the top of the bend...as this is the point where they are bent...Takes seconds..I have also tied on them unstraighted with no probs..Great nymph and wet fly hooks!
Won't straigtening them lessen their stregnth? Will they be more prone to breaking?
And if I leave them, will they swim funny when i retrieve them?
Okie,
No, straightening these hooks won't appreciably lessen their strength. They'll still be way stronger than any tippet you are likely to tie to them.
If these are the Eagle Claw bulk 'plain shank' hooks, they are made from quality wire that hasn't been overtempered to the point of brittleness like many imported hooks are. Bending them won't hurt them.
And, again, no, they shouldn't swim funny as long as the fly is properly designed to begin with. Still, if you are worried about it, just straighten them. It only takes a second in the vise.
As mentioned before, the offset 'can' aid in hooksetting. So, if you are going to tie patterns that dead drift or work on the surface, there is no 'performance' related reason to straighten the hooks, and they may hook better offset.
I tie several dozen different flies on these hooks, like you I received a healthy supply as a gift, and I 'straighten' on about half of them, mainly for aesthetics.
They catch fish just fine. Use them anyplace you'd use a standard 'wet fly' or 'nymph' hook. The larger ones are great for warm water poppers and spun hair. Experiment to find ways they will work for you.
Good Luck!
Buddy
I tie on offset hooks all of the time. I mostly fish saltwater so the extra hooking power of the offset is a lot of help with rockfish. I tie on a 6/0( Yes 6/0) Gamakatsu Octopus hook. Personaly I think the offset hook is the best for non-dry flies. So i would not straigten them.
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trout, bass, sea bass i dont care its fishing. <><
I have a background in "Metallurgy" (science of metals), and the offset hooks (reversed, or kirbed) are designed for better hooking of the fish. You should not bend the hook shaft (not to be confused with the hook shank). bending of the hook shaft (the section of the hook from the point back towards the bend) will weaken the metal, by causing a interior fault in the metal.
If you have difficulty tying the flies on the vise with this bend in the hook shaft, you could offset the vise head to allow the hook shank to be parallel to allow easier tying.
Many fly hooks, have a offset hook shaft, just for the hooking more fish that take the fly.
~Parnelli