mustad 3366

[pillcaster]

In size 12, would you call these a 2xl nymph hook, or some other size? The price of these makes me want to give them a try. Any reflections on your impression of these would be appreciated.

[johnstoeckel]

I've got a box of 3366s in size 6. They are definitely not a 2xl (or even 1xl) hook. I compared a #6 3366 to a #6 94840 and they are approximately the same shank length. In fact, the straight part of the 3366 shank is slightly shorter due to the sproat bend. The 3366 is also a straight eye hook (not turned down eye) which may or may not be what you want.

I don't have a lot of experience with the 3366. I originally bought the box of #6 3366 for Clouser Minnows and have used them for Clouser and some other flies, but not for any of my regular, high use trout flies.

[quivira kid]

I would say they're standard length with a straight eye and sproat bend. I bought 1000 of them in a #8 a few years back.... great hook for a lot of bluegill bugs. I have them from size 1/0 to 12. Great streamer hook!

[Tig]

I use a lot of these. First and foremost for clousers. They are good for bass poppers. I have done different woolly buggers on them and various streamers. Great hook. I use #2, 4 and 6.

[Buddy Sanders]

Pillcaster,

I've always considered the 3366 hook to be the 'standard' for hook sizes-standard wire, standard length, standard gape.

I use them for nymphs in the smaller sizes, and consider then the archetype bass bug hook in the larger sizes. They are also the original clouser minnow hook (although I use a nickel plated version for those now).

I buy these by the thousands, and try to use them for just about any fly that I can. Can't beat the price.

Buddy

[redietz]

I've always considered the 3366 hook to be the 'standard' for hook sizes-standard wire, standard length, standard gape.

I completely agree. 0x long, 0x heavy, 0x wide.

[ScottP]

They are also the original clouser minnow hook (although I use a nickel plated version for those now).

Buddy,

I've got to dig through my Fly Fisherman magazines to double check, but I'm pretty sure the first Clouser Minnows were tied on Mustad 3906 (may have been the 3906B); whichever, it had a TDE (although with the dumbell eyes tied on top it became a TUE) to impart a jigging action. I've been tying mine for freshwater on the 3366 for a long time, and 3407 for saltwater.

Regards,
Scott

edit - July 1989 Flyfisherman, and it was a 3906B

[Greg H]

Here is a page from an old Mustad booklet showing their fly fishing hooks at the time. The 33xx and 39xx series seem to be distinguished from each other mainly by the shape of the eye.
3366 hooks.JPG