Mustard 34007 hook alternatives

[stuhutch]

I am looking to tie a number of saltwater striper size flies this winter and I am deciding which hooks to use.
For flat wings I am going to use eagle Craw 254/253 hooks per Ken Abrames.
For Deceiver and half'n'half patterns I am thinking of using Mustard 34007 hooks but considering the time put into tying flies I wonder if I would be better off using more expensive hooks.
My question to other board users are what other brands/models hooks are used instead of the 34007 and why.

Thanks in advance

[Iwan]

I use the Daiichi 2546 hooks. Sharpness out of the box is excellent and they are reasonably priced.

I tie all my standard saltwater patterns of these hooks but I use Mustad SS 4x long hooks for poppers.

Hope this helps.

Iwan.

[mctrout]

Have been using the 34007 for over 10 years and never had a problem. Lately I started using the 254ss because I like the shorter hook for some reason, they are defiantely sharper, I like the matte finish which spooks fish less on the flats and they are never gonna bend (not that the mustads do so much either) the shanks are also a bit square so things slip less when tying
Brendan

[ruge13]

I like them for bass and Bluefish flies becaus they are cheap in quantity and I tend to go through them fast. I tend to lose a bunch scraping bottom so I care less about them. I do Sharpen them after I tie up flies because they are dull out of the box. They also dull quickly in the water so I sharpen them from time to time while in use.

On flies I want to run deeper or on better flies I use Owner AKI hooks. I love them, but they have a shorter shank.

[Pauper Piscator]

Use cheap hooks for easy flies. Simple deceivers or clousers, plain ole plated hooks are fine. Remeber you are not building the pyramids. On a good day, your garden variety deceiver is chewed to ribbons in short order.

For difficult time consuming patterns like epoxy, spun deer hair, etc etc, anyhting complicated, use a high quality stainless hook. I think I have a few anicient surf candies but turning over the flybox content from time to time is not a bad thing.

If you are a new (ish) tyer. longer shanks will be easier to work with.

[Slamdance]

Try the Tiemco 811S as a replacement for the 34007. Their 600SP is also a killer hook for tying special patterns, and the Owner Aki is a great hook too. The only thing I'd warm about the Aki and the 600SP is that they are a better boat hook than shore hook. They're forged and hardened, so they tend to be brittle and can snap if you come in contact with a rock on a backcast. Of course, the opposite is true of the 34007- I've had more than a few straighten on decent-sized or very fast fish.

[KMM]

Dear Stu:

You can't go wrong with the advice of a pro guide (above).

I second the thought on using Tiemco 811S hooks, they are costly but worthy.

An alternative and second choice would be the newer Daiichi XPoint 452 hooks which may not have yet to be mentioned here. A bit less in the cost but still very sharp and durable.

Daiichi XPoint chart attached.

Regards,

KMM

So Cal

[flyflngr]

I have tried and like Owner "flyliner" hooks They are expensive but worth it for your tedious flies and they stand up very well to shoreline hazards. I use them because I tend to brake so many 34007's on the BP jetty.

[AlderBrookFarm]

The Tiemco 811S gets my vote as well. I've also gotten to like the Mustad Signature Series C71S SS. Long shanked circle hook that is great for tying streamers. There is also a Tarpon series in the Signatures, C68S SS which is 2x heavy/2x short. The Signature series hooks boast of extra sharp and extra strong.

[SageBoy]

Another hook to consider is the Mustad Signature series. Super sharp right out of the box and super strong. ;)

[seatrout]

I find the 34007 as good as anything else, but do try not to spend more time tying a fly than it takes me to loose it. I just can't justify spending more for a small quantity of hooks than I used to pay for a thousand ... and a straightened hook has never cost me a good fish. I find lots of other ways to loose them!

[tommat]

I use either Tiemco, Daiichi, Eagle Claw, Varvis or Trey Combs hooks. I never use Mustad hooks.

[jarrett35]

I have had great luck with the Owner MUTU light circle. They work great on trout and ladyfish.