Mustad Hook Question

[waveeater]

I'm using Mustad 32786NP-BN hooks in one of my jigs in place of Eagle Claw. I would like to step up to the 32824NP-BN which appears to me to be the same hook but is 2X. Will this same hook work in the jig? I'm using the Do-it Banana Jig Mold 410 and 635. Any advice would be appreciated.

[ctom]

Welcome aboard waveeater....

As long as the hook you want to use has the same configuration other than wire size you should be able to set your new hooks in the mold, close it and while pinching the handles tight to keep the hooks in place, lay the mold flat on a hard surface and give the mold a swat or two with a rubber or plastic hammer on the side that's up. Keep the mold closed tight and look at the edges to confirm the mold is closed tight. You should be good to go then. A 2X hook may be not need and hammer taps. You can do the hammer tapping one cavity at a time too. Pretty simple to mod the mold in this fashion. If you go back to the original hooks you may see some minor flashing after the conversion but it shouldn't be much and is easily removed..

[waveeater]

Thank you for the quick reply I will give this a try.

[efishnc]

Hi waveeater-

I also have the banana jig as well, and I up-size the hooks in virtually every mold.  Most molds will allow one size (and sometimes two sizes) larger without having to give them any love pats.  Sometimes (with molds I use for muskie baits) I make the shank bigger with a drill and open the eye cavity with a dremel when the hooks I want in the mold are too large to "tap fit".

If you are using 413s already, you should have no problem swapping over to 32824s in the same size... the only thing I would say is not to up-size at the same time as switching over... each hook line-up seems to jump wire size between different sizes than other line-ups (sometimes even with the same brand).

I hope this also helps, and welcome aboard.

[efishnc]

FYI: Lure Parts Online has the following description...

" The Mustad 32824 is an extra heavy duty version of the 32786 Jig Hook. This forged hook is available in the larger sizes (1/0 up to a 10/0) making it an ideal choice for saltwater applications and big jigs for the likes of muskie and striper. "