I'm a bit interested in trying out using assist hooks on my cod jigs. I really like the idea about skipping trebles and instead an assist hook directly on the main line and be able to store all lures without nasty hooks attached to them.
But in Sweden it's almost impossible to find the hooks used in making assist hooks and I have to order them from Japan or the US. So I'm wondering what's the design theory is behind the actual hooks? To my eyes they are short shafted and have a wide gap. But could you use a "regular" hook in the right size?
You could use any hook. Short shanked hooks are harder to work out since there is little room for leverage against the hook shaft. At least that is the theory.
By the way, assist hooks also come with a treble hook configuration as well, although not seen as often.
Karl, if you google assist hooks there are MANY instructions and videos out there to see. All you will need is a couple of basic tools and hollow core spectra. An evening with a pint and the instructions with the materials and you'll be making up enough for the whole season. Best thing about making your own is that they can be custom made to fit your jig or style as you wish.good luck
Bob
I think it is easier and I personally get better hookups with octopus hooks snelled with a doubled up piece of 100 to 150 pound solid braid.As you can see standard assist hooks can detract from a baits presentation and if you are using lighter line can and will cause you to miss hookups do to you not getting the hooks set properly because of the diameter not being able to penetrate due to lower drag and rod weights.I use this general rule of thumb,if you can't straighten your hook out with the line class you are using and it's the lightest diameter wire in that hook size then you are on the right track.Alot of guys use hooks that are meant for 80 to 200 pound test when using 30 pound test and the chances of getting that super heavy hook into a fishes mouth will be minimum at best.
This is the way I rig mine.
(http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii608/saltydogreelrepair/2013-03-13112638_zps00cba70b.jpg) (http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/saltydogreelrepair/media/2013-03-13112638_zps00cba70b.jpg.html)
Any short shanked "live bait" style hook works fine for assist hooks. The Shout Kudako is one of the better known and liked. The style of "eye" it has with a bend in it is ideal for tying it on and having it lay right. Very simple to do with the proper materials (ie up to 500lb test Kevlar for big 'uns).
Everyone I know ties their own to save a few pennies and keep busy between trips.
best
Quote from: saltydog on April 18, 2013, 10:05:56 PM
I think it is easier and I personally get better hookups with octopus hooks snelled with a doubled up piece of 100 to 150 pound solid braid.As you can see standard assist hooks can detract from a baits presentation and if you are using lighter line can and will cause you to miss hookups do to you not getting the hooks set properly because of the diameter not being able to penetrate due to lower drag and rod weights.I use this general rule of thumb,if you can't straighten your hook out with the line class you are using and it's the lightest diameter wire in that hook size then you are on the right track.Alot of guys use hooks that are meant for 80 to 200 pound test when using 30 pound test and the chances of getting that super heavy hook into a fishes mouth will be minimum at best.
This is the way I rig mine.
(http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii608/saltydogreelrepair/2013-03-13112638_zps00cba70b.jpg) (http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/saltydogreelrepair/media/2013-03-13112638_zps00cba70b.jpg.html)
looks great Salty. Just need heavier cord for big tuna etc (long fights with toothy critters).
best
Most the tuna we get in the gulf never get over 150 pounds and if we are getting cut by kings and wahoo we go to wire.With these rigs we seem to connect better,but I would agree on the bigger tuna like cows and Bluefin heavier cord would be a must but then I wouldn't be using 30# line either.
I just use the Mustad Hoodlums (# 10827) when I make my homemade assist hook rigs. Relatively cheap, relatively strong, and readily available. They should be available in Sweden also... I would think...Norway is not too far away.
I like to use Owner cutting point hooks, the thinnest diameter possible for the fact that it penetrates easier. I cannot recall, but I also use octopus owner hooks as well as Owner, Gamakatsu, Mustad, BNK, and Tankichi circle hooks....
Thanks for the input guys!
I'll definetly want ot make my own assist hooks. And thanks to Saltydog's tip I don't have to order solid rings (also impossible to find in Sweden) I can just use a heavy swivel.
I will look around and see if I can find any Hoodlums or any other hooks that look nice.
/Karl
Do these look any good for assist hooks? Mustad Big Gun. Couldn't find any hoodlum hooks in Sweden, but I found these
(http://www.havsfiskecenter.se/webshop/78-163-thickbox/mustad-big-gun-krok.jpg)
(http://www.mustad.no/catalog/mikpublish/img/7523.jpg)
Those will be fine.
:)
Those will work great.
X4 They should work just fine. One more thing, I prefer to use Kevlar instead of Spectra for the cord but either will work. The swivel instead of a solid ring is also a nice improvement.
Where do you get Kevlar from? I also read but cannot confirm that Kevlar is affected by moisture (gets weaker) This is one of the reasons why boat builders were having issues with some of their kevlar lined hulls. It could be coming from the fiberglass manufacturers, I don't know.
If someone knows to help educate me, that would be AWESOME!!!
Quote from: Bryan Young on April 19, 2013, 10:08:46 PM
Where do you get Kevlar from? I also read but cannot confirm that Kevlar is affected by moisture (gets weaker) This is one of the reasons why boat builders were having issues with some of their kevlar lined hulls. It could be coming from the fiberglass manufacturers, I don't know.
If someone knows to help educate me, that would be AWESOME!!!
Bryan, Kevlar has some advantages over Spectra such has higher abrasion resistance and heat resistance (important if you use shrink tubing over your knots). Kevlar, however, is not as good as Spectra when it comes to ultraviolet and moisture. Still it will last longer than your jig will. ;D Most jiggers that I know prefer Kevlar for assist hooks. Many brands are available but I use Western Filaments (Made in USA) brand of Kevlar cord that is available at Tackle Direct.
Scott
I've been slipping 80lb Spectra into 50lb hollow Dacron when I tie assist hooks, the Dacron is not slippery like Spectra.
I use Kevlar as well.
I've been using 200# braid (Dyneema). It's not designated hollow, but at that weight, it will hollow out. Line was free so that is what I use.
Quote from: Mandelstam on April 19, 2013, 05:27:08 PM
Do these look any good for assist hooks? Mustad Big Gun. Couldn't find any hoodlum hooks in Sweden, but I found these
(http://www.havsfiskecenter.se/webshop/78-163-thickbox/mustad-big-gun-krok.jpg)
(http://www.mustad.no/catalog/mikpublish/img/7523.jpg)
They will do, but note the upturned eye on the hooks posted by salty.
I found this old photo of some Shout Kudako rigged with Kevlar:
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii261/haugusnord/P10001362.jpg) (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/haugusnord/media/P10001362.jpg.html)
(pay no attention to the other lures) But note on these how the upturned eye helps the hook lay flat with heavier cord. If you use hooks with straight eyes they will have a little "kink" in how they lay. Not that I can say I missed a hook up due to that but most prefer the bent eyes.
best
Don't run the line through the eye on streight eye hooks.
I actually, after about 4 hours of searching, find a spanish webshop that carry a lot of assist hook accessories. Cheaper than ordering from Asia or the US.
But the upturned eye, I've noticed that as well and understand what you say, but when you look at most assist hooks they are made with straight eye hooks with the cord running through the eye.. And there often is a big kink in the line at that point.
But I think I'll snell the line on the hook instead, without running it through the eye as Lee said. I probably wont use super heavy cord so I don't think it will be too bulky..
Thanks!
/K
There is hollow 50lb Dacron on your spool, put some 50lb Spectra in it and that will work well.
Quote from: Keta on April 20, 2013, 12:42:43 PM
There is hollow 50lb Dacron on your spool, put some 50lb Spectra in it and that will work well.
Thanks Lee!
the easiest and fastest so far when it comes to making your own assist hooks take a peek at this one;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-S3tkLMA6o
also some have used a combination of solid rings split rings and swivels;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=CQEQclfSiaQ&feature=fvwp
http://www.mercatinodellapesca.com/t37248-vendo-assist-hook ;)
I agree with Mel B. I make mine exactly like the first link. No reason to get any fancier than that.
And I have no clue what chandimaabu's post says. ;D But nice pics. ;)
Yea thanks for the links!
:)
Gotta admit, I've never used these, but it seems like a bunch of work.
Couldn't you just your a surgeon's loop in the middle of your line, connect the loop to the eye of the jig and then put the hooks on the end of the line with a Palomar or whatever? Or would that fracture the laws of the kingdom?
Ronald
Quote from: noyb72 on June 05, 2013, 06:15:54 AM
Gotta admit, I've never used these, but it seems like a bunch of work.
Couldn't you just your a surgeon's loop in the middle of your line, connect the loop to the eye of the jig and then put the hooks on the end of the line with a Palomar or whatever? Or would that fracture the laws of the kingdom?
Ronald
noyb72,
If you watch that first YouTube video that Mel B posted you will see that method is not complicated at all. It's basically just an overhand knot in some Kevlar.
Simple, but extremely strong and effective. ;)
Basically rig them the way that works for you. Some have to have 1000 pound everything but I generaly fish with what is gonna get me the most takes from the fish. Some fish are wary of a lot of junk hanging around the bait and some just don't care. Also there is no reason for 200 to 1000 pound breaking strength assist rigs for a fish going less than 100 pounds. Most of the time the more subtle presentation will get more meat in the box, and if you are getting cut a thin piece of wire is a lot less noticeable than Kevlar and ginormous hooks hanging everywhere. Basically get the lures you want and figure out what fish you will be chasing then rig accordingly, no rig is perfect but trial and error will make you a better fisherman. Heck I know guys who use mono and a loop with double hooks on jigs and catch tons of fish without the expense, go figure, nothing in this sport is set in stone.
William
A quick update. I got my hooks. :)
(http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o677/Tottofagrin/Assist%20hooks/IMG_20130807_170431_zps9b8593f2.jpg)
I ordered som VMC O'Shaugnessy hooks size 7/0. Used dacron (thanks Lee) that I pulled through itself to double up. One overhand knot around the shank. Heat shrink tube. Done. :)
(http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o677/Tottofagrin/Assist%20hooks/IMG_20130807_170209_zps68feb130.jpg)
Rigged cod jigs that work really well in my waters.
/Karl
I like those gold feather things on your assist hooks.
It's a short piece of mylar tubing like they use for flies. It was just threaded onto the hook over the overhand knot, then served in place with some thread. I remember seeing it somewhere on a forum so I don't want to take credit for the idea.. :)
Quote from: Keta on April 20, 2013, 12:13:46 AM
I've been slipping 80lb Spectra into 50lb hollow Dacron when I tie assist hooks, the Dacron is not slippery like Spectra.
your ideas never let me down Lee.
I have a buch, I mean a ton of 80# dracon and few yards of 80# braid pieces and 50# braid that it cannot be used on a reel, but this idea that you posted is great, braid inside of dacron for the double strengh... no more searching for kevlar for me.
I just need 5-10 assist hooks for some speed jigs I got and dont plan to go fancy on them.