[nailbender]

Just a heads up, I had two of these hooks break on me in vise today (size 8). Two out of Eight that I tied broke. Don't know if its just a fluke. Maybe a bad batch? Can't remember one failing in the past, but I haven't tied on them in a few years. I used to like these for small searun patterns, now my confidence is gone. Am I the only one?Not trying to start a bash Gamagatsu thread.

 

[meh.meh.meh.meh.meh.]

I just tied up 15 patterns on these hooks in size 8. No problems

 

[Stonefish]

Not a fluke Doug.
Have broken a number of them and no longer use them.
Now use the Daiichi 2546’s.
SF

 

[skookum_creek]

How do the barbs pinch down on the Daiichi 2546? I hate when I mash a barb and it breaks, leaving a sharp bump instead of a smoothly flattened area.

 

[Stonefish]

How do the barbs pinch down on the Daiichi 2546? I hate when I mash a barb and it breaks, leaving a sharp bump instead of a smoothly flattened area.

I just use a pair of flat nosed pliers I carry with me.
If the barb breaks off, I just try and flatten the small hump that is left the best I can.
As long as the barb is gone, I just fish them and don't worry about it if I get checked, which I have been.
SF

 

[Adam Saarinen]

Bought these hooks end of last year & tied a few flies! Earlier this year i went to the water down the road to test my new Sage X 8wt, windy day & really started giving the rod some shit! Fly came off on a back cast, thought my knot hat come undone? But the loop on my tippet was still perfect! Found the fly walking back to my van, hook eye had opened up! WTF? I'm not buying this type of Gamakatsu hook anymore!

 

[SeattleFarq]

I avoided those hooks forever thinking they were too thin. Since I was convinced to try them, I've never had an issue. I once landed a 30" bull trout in heavy current on one. It straightened a bit, but didn't break. If they're cracking in the vice, I bet it's a bad batch - especially if it happened twice. Sounds like the metal is too brittle.

 

[Stonefish]

I avoided those hooks forever thinking they were too thin. Since I was convinced to try them, I've never had an issue. I once landed a 30" bull trout in heavy current on one. It straightened a bit, but didn't break. If they're cracking in the vice, I bet it's a bad batch - especially if it happened twice. Sounds like the metal is too brittle.

Are you talking SC15's or SS15's being to thin?
SF

 

[SeattleFarq]

Are you talking SC15's or SS15's being to thin?
SF

Both? Aren't they the same gauge or close to it? I thought the only difference was shank length. I've never compared them side-by-side, now that I'm on the spot.

 

[Stonefish]

I don't think so from what I recall.
A size 8 in the SC 15's is super thin and small.
Way smaller then what most folks would consider a standard size 8.

I don't recall the size 8 SS 15's being nearly as thin, though I may be wrong since I quit using them a while ago.
SC15's are one of my favorite cuthroat and salmon hooks. I've never had issue with them bending out or breaking, though size 4 is the smallest I use.
They also make a SC15-2H in heavier wire in some larger sizes.
SF