Buzzer hooks.

[RideTheZypher]

I got myself a whole load of Kamasan B100`s size 16. I tied an emerging buzzer pattern of my own design and manged to temp 3 trout yesterday. Problem, all 3 fish managed to bend to hook straight and get off. One of my most frustrating days but also a small triumph as my pattern worked great.

Does anyone else use these hooks? Alternatively what would you recommend instead?

Thanks, Jay.

[Braveheart]

Kamasan B100's straightening seems to be a recurring theme on here. I think it could be down to 2 things.
1 It is a fine wire hook, so people may be using a heavier than suitable set-up, but I think that is unlikely, I use a 5 or 6 weight set-up when stillwater buzzer fishing and have rarely had a B100 straighten on me, but I have had my hooks for some time.

2 I think the most likely. I believe Kamasan hooks are now made in China, and it appears that their problems started when they moved production from Japan, hence the reason I don't have problems with them(old stock)

As an alternative try tying them on Kamasan B110's, same shape of hook, but on a heavier wire.
TMC also do a similar shaped hook, TMC 2487. Or other hook makers do similar as well.

[alan]

Kamasan seem to have a problem (not confined to one size or pattern) with tempering the hooks, possibly through doing them in too large a batch. The results are that a proportion will straighten (tempering not hot enough) sufficiently to loose the fish, another proportion will snap at the bend (through tempering at too high a temperature).

The answer is quite simple. Use another make of hook!

[lynbuell]

Use both b100's and b175's for all of my fishing (exept dries which i normally buy) and have never had a fish bend or snap a hook!,may i ask if its c&r your doing and maybe trying to play the fish that bit harder?

[ultegrafly]

Standard of Kamasan hooks seems to have dropped noticeably over the last 12 months, the B100s weren't the strongest before then wouldn't like to see what they are like now.

Hayabusa do some fine wire buzzer hooks that are strong, also FM do some very strong grub hooks in a heavyier wire.

Kev.

[RideTheZypher]

I practice C&R where ever possible and take pride in playing any fish i catch with respect and dignity. I use a DT6 with my tippet being from 6lb down to 4lb and once in a blue moon 3lb. I don't really strike or play the fish "hard", I think "smartly lift into the fish" would describe my general stance on the subject. I couldn't say for sure but I think the hook fails after the the hook has set. Say a second or two of pressure and then off they came.
Thanks for the replies guys.

[Keniom]

I use the Hayabusa 384 but I don't think these are available in 16's
An alternative is TMC 2487, but these are more expensive.

[pacres]

Do you guys have access to the mustad Signature line? I myself use the Mustad C49S for quite a few of my flies, and also a more local brand called Eagle River here in Canada. The only hooks I have ever bent out were some of the less expensive Mustad classics.

[Piker]

I have been using fulling mill hooks for the last 2 years - no problems