All new OTI assist hook

[Minnow]

Brand new OTI Raptor assist hooks

[BretABaker]

question - why the wrap as opposed to the shrink tubing? reason i ask is that once a snapper's teeth (or another species' teeth) hit the wrapping and compromise it's integrity, the assist hook is somewhat useless. food for thought

[Minnow]

Bret,

We don't use shrink tube because it will be hard to do a quality control on the assist hook wrap. Solid color shrink tube will hide bad wraps on the assist hook.

It will be easier to replace a new assist hook than to replace fish of a life time due to failure in assist hook. JMO

We use high quality assist cord that have very tight weave to reduce the wear and tear.

[Ragman]

Great question and we did consider it.

We believe our new construction (materials and craftsmanship) is the best available!

We did not want to cover it up with a piece of tubing.

These new assist hooks are tied for us by an independent Japanese company and we feel are the best quality and value available.

The wrap is very tight resulting in a harder surface than vinyl tubing.

With all of that said, if more testing and feedback from our customers warrants it, we'll definitely look at future modifications in our search for the perfect assist hook!

I hope to get a lot of experienced feedback on this subject!

[Sea Crappie]

I make my own assist hooks by wrapping spliced kevlar cord to the hook shank, just like OTI's are manufactured. I use kevlar thread as well, and coat the wraps lightly with zap-a-gap when I'm done.

Using this technique, I've never had a cord failure, nor really any significant fraying. I agree w/ the non-shrink tube approach.

[BretABaker]

thanks Minnow/Ragman. Your points definitely make sense. They are the assist hooks I use, so I obviously like them . Very well priced IMO.

I may try and put shrink tubing over this myself. It may just provide a bit of protection when jigging for toothy fish. I'll let everyone know if it helps/hurts at all.

[crazyjigr]

I have some owner made assist hooks they use clear heat shrink after they coat the wraps.I could see where quality control would be dificult if you let them cover the wraps
Bret I would not use assist hooks that only had heat shrink to protect the wrap threads coat them and re heat shrink them if needed.
Nice to see you changed the hooks the points on the gold ones I have from OTI got damaged very easily they did not seem properly hardened.All the jigs worked great

[BretABaker]

Originally Posted by crazyjigr

I have some owner made assist hooks they use clear heat shrink after they coat the wraps.I could see where quality control would be dificult if you let them cover the wraps
Bret I would not use assist hooks that only had heat shrink to protect the wrap threads coat them and re heat shrink them if needed.
Nice to see you changed the hooks the points on the gold ones I have from OTI got damaged very easily they did not seem properly hardened.All the jigs worked great

thanks for the tip....im going to have to buy a few packs before my next trip. any ideas when/where we can get those new jigs (forget the name of them)

[JerseyBrian]

the jackal

[SkeeterRonnie]

you can buy the heat shrink at most any auto parts store and put it on yourself if need be. I think it hampers the action of the stingers. I like mine to "dance". on the williamson knife jigs, they use a LOT of shrink tube- I cut it all off except where it covers the knot on the hook.