Must Have - MUSTAD
by Charlie Wray
Without a doubt, choosing the proper hook for the right application catches you more fish. Premium hooks only help that even more! Let’s face it, once you have hooks into a fish, short of snapping the line, or tangling in debris, you can’t lose. We have all caught fish each season with hook placements so well, that the fish would never have come unhooked, despite slack line, or novice anglers on the other end. Wouldn’t it be nice to have better hook up/ landing percentage in your favor? Most lures come equipped with substandard hooks. It is simply too expensive on the manufacturing end to always include premium hooks, but once you have a favorite or productive lure, now is the time to add that quality hook.
Mustad Ultra Point hooks feature a unique opti-angle needle point that is chemically sharpened and resists the rolling of the point when under pressure. The Ultra Point is unbelievably sharp straight out of the package and keeps this needle point when other hooks would be ground into a useless blunt tip from contact with rocks and abrasive debris. Either the Ultra Point or Classic, Mustad has the hook for every situation imaginable. If you fish for a wide variety of species, the following is a few that is sure to become your favorites.
BASS
One of the most popular species, as well as a multiple range of rigs and techniques. Tubes have long been a favourite for Bass, and Mustad tackled this head on with an Ultra Point jig hook. For molding your own lead heads, #32746 is available in Black Nickel, Bronzed or Red and in sizes from the small 10 to 6/0. This thin wire hook makes tubes look more natural, and penetrates quickly with a chemically sharpened Opti-Angle Needle Point. For pitching, Carolina rigs, etc, the Big Mouth tube hook #38104BLN is not only extra strong and features an extra wide bend, but perfect for rigging plastics exposed or weedless. This hook is no wimp, you won’t be afraid to pitch a bait in the jungle with this one! Available in sizes 2/0 to 8/0. With finesse fishing gaining popularity, Drop Shoting is hot.
The Mustad Ultra Point #10546 is not only available in Black Nickel or Red, but the light weight wire allows baits to dance, and the ultra sharp hooks penetrates easily. Drop Shot rigs require a special hook, and this is it! A turned up eye allows this hook to sit naturally on the line, and hook fish the way drop shoting was meant to be.
Mustad has long been a leader in Bass plastics hooks, designed strong enough to horse that lunker Largemouth from thick cover, yet perfect for the many rigs and techniques. Ultra Point Big-Bite #32808BLN, Mega-Bite #37177BLN, and Mega-Lite #37145BLN, all in sizes 2 - 5/0, have long been trusted. The Ultra Lock Light Wire #38106BLN and Ultra Lock #38105BLN in sizes 1/0 -5/0 feature an innovative Z-shaped bend, ideal for keeping your presentation in place, even in heavy cover. The Power Lock Plus #91768UB is another amazing hook, now available in 1/0 - 11/0 sizes and in 1/16, 1/8,1/4, 3/8oz weights. This hook features a moveable weight for balancing your plastic presentation perfectly, or creating unique actions with weight forward, centered, or weight back. Rigging does not get any easier with a push in gripper design. This hook is a must for every Bass angler, novice or pro. You will continue to find more and better ways to fish your plastics with this one, and actions that will drive the Bass crazy! This hook is also perfect for the swim baits, excellent hook ups and balances them perfectly. Matched up with your favorite swim bait, this weed less design allows you to fish your plastics, and catch fish where you use to be afraid to fish.
Not only does Mustad make the Ultra Point Spinnerbait hooks #91706N and large ring #91707N, but a Pro - Stinger Spinnerbait Trailer hook. No more short hits with this premium add on, this trailer hook #91707NWS has an extra large eye for easy rigging and includes hook stoppers for proper rigging. If you like spinner baits, don’t leave the dock without them. Available in sizes 2/0 and 3/0
Bass love to throw those lures. Losing that monster on the last jump at boat side is a heart breaker, but changing the standard hooks will make a huge difference. When your hook setting power is divided between many points making contact and all trying to make it in past the barb, the sharper the better! Mustad has the Ultra NP Treble and Ultra NP Triple Grip treble. The Ultra NP Treble #36102 is available in Black Nickel, or Red in sizes 8, 6, 4, 2. The Ultra NP Triple Grip #36233BLN in sizes 8, 6, 4, 2, and features a unique configuration that locks the hooks in making it virtually impossible to throw. New to the lineup is the fabulous KVD Elite Series of trebles, this new shorter shank, 1X strong Triple Grip is available in sizes for #6 to 3/0 and is incredible as an upgrade to any lure. This Triple Grip configuration also allows more of your hook setting power to be directed towards hook penetration. Both the NP Treble and Triple Grip are available in a beautifully tied, feather version that will dress up any surface bait and drive the Bass crazy. The Ultra NP Feather is available in Red, with Red Feathers #102RR or White feathers #102RW in sizes 2, 4, 6, and the Ultra NP Feather Triple Grip is available with a Black Nickel hook, with either Red feathers #233BLNR or White feathers #233BLNW and in sizes 2, 4, 6,
WALLEYE
Walleye and live bait rigs go hand in hand. When you are dealing with light hits, sharp, light wire hooks are the ticket. The Mustad Double Wide Fine Wire Live Bait #10548R is available in sizes 1, 2, 4, 6 , 8 All Walleye anglers know how colour combos can make or break a day. It is amazing how the slight addition of colour can mean so very much! Mustad knows how important this is, and has a selection of Neon bait hooks #92569 available in sizes 8, 6, 4, 2 in Chartreuse/Green #92569CG, Chartreuse #92569CH, Flame/Chartreuse #92569FC and Glow in the Dark #92569GL. Amazing anglers everywhere, the incredible Slow Death hooks #33862 is now available in more sizes, so you now can choose between 1,2,and 4. When rigged with a worm or plastic, this hook gives a corkscrew action to your bait that the fish simply cannot refuse. Make sure you us a good ball bearing swivel to avoid twisting with this set up.
For replacement trebles on your favourite lures, the same Ultra NP Treble and Ultra NP Triple Grip hooks that are so popular for Bass, are every bit as effective and popular for Walleye as well. Nothing is more disappointing than watching your lure fall out of a monster eye at the edge of the net. Thick hooks not only are hard to set, but rip large holes. Thin cheap hooks bend easily. The Mustad Ultra Point NP Treble and Ultra NP Triple Grip trebles are not only strong but thin wire and unbelievably sharp. You will catch more fish, it is that simple!!
What is a Walleye angler without a few pounds of jigheads. O.K. a few pounds in each colour! Whether you pour your own heads, or purchase from a store, the Mustad Ultra Point 90% #32746 will become a must. This thin wire hook is Ultra sharp and penetrates quickly, available in Black Nickel, Bronzed or Red and in sizes from 10 - 6/0.
SALMON - TROUT
Flimsy hooks do not hold up with these fish, period! Powerful runs, crushing hits, and the extra pressure from wrapping in the line or a jump will show a weak spot fast, all resulting in a lost fish and a disappointed angler. Mustad’s new Ultra Point Big Gun Siwash hook not only penetrates with little pressure, but this thin Siwash is extremely strong. Being lighter in weight also gives your lures the maximum action they were designed for. Looking for a powerful treble, look no further than the #3592 Kingfish Treble. This is actually a saltwater style King Mackerel hook, but it is absolutely perfect for any heavy duty freshwater application where a smaller sized hook needs to be strong. Available in Black Nickel, Bronzed or Red and in sizes 1, 2, 4, 6. This is ideal for spoons, smaller plugs and bait rigs. At many times of the year, smaller lures are more attractive to these powerful fish, but are never rigged to hold them. This Kingfish treble is ideal to turn those smaller Salmon attracting lures, into a lure that now will hold up to the pulling power. With a lighter diameter hook, but still 3 times strong, the Elite Series Treble #36329BLN has become a favorite. This Ultra Point hook has proven itself on a number of Salmon and heavy duty Trout rigs, and is another option for your lures and rigs when a lighter in weight hook is needed, so the balance is not thrown off.
For lighter action flutter spoons, do not ignore the same Ultra Point Triple Grip hooks #36233BLN that Bass and Walleye anglers have trusted. At first glance, it may appear to be light duty, but this hook is surprisingly strong and has landed a number of lunker Salmon and Trout. The lock in, hard to dislodge features that make this ideal for jumping Bass, also make it great for Salmon. Once it is locked in, it is hard to get out, in fact, the only damage I have had with this hook while Salmon fishing has been while prying it out with pliers, or from the net. If you need this great Triple Grip feature on a heavier duty hook, the Saltwater models are available in larger sizes and in Duratin. Triple Grip Treble #36244D is 2 extra strong and in sizes 2 and 4, while the #36245D Triple Grip is 3 extra strong and available in 1/0, 2/0, and 3/0. The new KVD Elite Series of Triple Grip Trebles #TG76BLN also has some great applications for Trout baits, and features a very thin wire hook, still being 1X strong. For Hoochie or bait rigs with single hooks, the Mustad Beak and Octopus hooks are tops. Available in barbless and barbed. The Ultra Point Beak hooks #92554NP, 2 extra strong, and are available in Red and Black Nickel in sizes 3/0 - 8/0. Octopus/Beak Barbless bait hook #92568, Red or Blank Nickel in sizes 8 - 8/0
Finesse river fishing is an art by itself. Tackle needs to be small to allow proper drifts, yet offer strength when that silver bullet is headed for a log jam. With roe bags and yarn flies being the most popular choices, Mustad has this covered plus some, with more options than your bag of tricks could supply. The new #10548R Double Wide Fine Wire, available in 1,2,4, 6, 8, is designed as a live bait hook for Walleye, but is ideal for many trout applications. Not only are the Ultra Point Live Bait #9523UPBR hooks in sizes from 14 - 2 a very sharp choice, but the same Ultra Point NEON Bait hooks #92569 that Walleye anglers love, are very often a fish magnet. These coloured hooks dress up any roe bag or offering. #92569CG- Chartreuse/Green, #92569CH - Chartreuse, #92569FC - Flame/Chartreuse, #92569Gl -Glow in the Dark. Classic Mustad hooks like the #37132 Point bent in, wide gap available in 6,8,10, 12, or the #37162 Hollow point, wide gap in sizes from 20 -4/0 have long been favourites. If you enjoy tying and using yarn flies, the Mustad Signature series #C67S Wet/Nymph Egg, Caddis hook is designed exactly for this. Curved, chemically sharpened, micro barb, 2 extra strong and 3 extra short. This is your hook!
We all love the aggressive bite, and nothing aggravates the Trout like a wobbling plug in their face. Not all hooks stay set when your fish is cart wheeling down the river. The Ultra Point NP Triple Grip #36233BLN and the new KVD Elite Series of Triple Grip Trebles #TG76BLN saves the day again! The unique lock in feature of this hook, forces everything back into the elbow making it very tough to throw. Stop worrying about your hook, and focus on where your fish is going. Available in sizes 2, 4, 6, and 8, perfect for any of your wobbling plugs.
MUSKIE - PIKE
Lunker Pike and Muskie are legendary with the damage they do to equipment. Tackle needs to be specialized to hold up with the lightening fast bursts of tackle smashing runs towards rock shoals and thick weeds, and quite often, around the motor! The leverage large lures supply to an active gator only increases the need for proper hooks. Quite simply, the # 35929BR Musky Treble is on a level all by itself. 4 extra strong and available in sizes 1/0 -6/0. This classic hook is made to be abused! Tremendously strong and holds that necessary sharp edge for finding penetrating points in a mouth full of teeth and bone.
This Muskie Treble is actually the big brother of the #3592 Kingfish Treble, this smaller Kingfish hook is only smaller in size, not strength. Available in sizes 6, 4, 2, 1, and Black Nickel, Red or Bronzed. Ideal for smaller Pike and Muskie lures, and perfect on dead or live bait rigs. Don’t knock smaller hooks for big fish either, the smaller sizes have great ability for finding and locking into fleshy areas. This #3592 Kingfish Treble is perfect as a stinger hook on jig and bait presentations, and the #3592DR Red Treble has a unique ability to attract more hits with the blood red colour. If you are looking to add a little more action to your quick strike Pike rigs, have a look at the new Mustad ringed hook #R94140BLN, the ring allows the Sucker to move its head un restricted and swim more naturally, and does it ever attract more hits.
CATFISH
Circle hooks are quickly gaining popularity on fish that commonly take a bait deep. At first look, a circle hook appears to look like a damaged hook with the point bent in. Setting the hook in a normal way does not work either. This hook requires a steady, non jerking pressure that allows the hook to slide up from deeper areas in the throat, turn, and lock into the corner of the mouth before normal pressure and fish fighting resumes. No more gut hooking Catfish! As odd as this sounds, it is extremely effective for consistent hook up percentages. Quite often the fish will hook itself by leaving the rod in the holder. Not only is this a great hook for novice anglers, but professionals as well. The Mustad Ultra Point Demon Circle #C39951BLN, sizes #12 all the way to 10/0 and #39952BL sizes #4 to 8/0 is as good as it gets, strong and chemically sharpened, point curved in and Black Nickel.
New for 2010, have a look at the new line up of Mustad tools, posi-traction grips and maximum corrosion resistance. The multi-purpose tool is also the best braid cutter I have ever used. Whatever your needs, Mustad has it. Mustad has the world’s largest selection of hooks for every application imaginable. For more on Mustad, and complete line up of products, check out the www.mustad.no website and get ready to change the way you fish. GET YOUR FISH ON !
