Cheaper to make you own Assist hooks

Way cheaper making your own. I make my own with a splicing needle, 500lb kevlar cord, and heat shrink. With the hollow kevlar cord, you can make a splice end loop with the needle. Tie it to the desire hook. Some great hooks are the Owners brand and I just found out some nice Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp hooks that are much cheeper than the Owners and are just as strong and just as sharp. Cut a little piece of heat shrink and shrink it over the knot on the hook eye. What great about making you own is that you can make it at any length.

 

I have not tried the kevlar cord. I use 300 lb Jerry Brown spectra in pretty much the manner that Bulllred describes. Yes it is cheaper to make your own.

 

i use a paperclip straightened out and then doubled over for such short pulls. I also use JB hollow 300#. I make short and long assist hooks, with mylar and feathers put in the winding on either Owner or Gamaktsu live bait hooks. I figure I have around $1.00 in each assist hook by making my own. Plus I know what quality goes in each one, along with custom feathers if I feel like it.

I work in Garland. Maybe one day you can stop by around 4:30 and I will show you how easy and simple it is. I should be able to give you some JB 300# hollow to play with. You need some large 9/0 Live bait hooks though before you come by. I have everything else.

 

You can buy JB through....

www.ringedhooks.com
www.bhptackle.com
www.reelproshop.com

I have used them all and have had ZERO problems

 

It takes a little trial and error to get it down right, but making your own is definitely the way to go. I bought a heat gun which shrinks the heat shrink tubing the best...(it blows some damned hot air)...and the result looks professional. I find that 1/4 inch diameter heat shrink is perfect for the assist hooks because it's small enough to wrap your line and big enough to push over the eye of the hook. I made a bunch before the Sept. 15th Big E trip and none of my assist hooks failed. I toyed around with a double assist hook on one loop, (one facing one direction and the other facing the other direction), and it worked, but the blackfin were hitting single hook setups just as well. I didn't see an advantage of having two hooks.

 

Here's a pic of the double assist hook that I mentioned....

 

I used a lot of Gamakatsu live bait hooks.
Take a look at VMC 7262BN hooks too.

 

STx: where did you find that red heat-shrink?

 

Dr. Jeff,

Try Ace hardware and home depot.

 

I found some 1/4" heat shrink on E-Bay at a pretty reasonable price. Just search for heat shrink tubing and you'll find a bunch.

 

This is from randy at anglers pro shop. Ive used this method, the only thing I change is I add heatshrink afterwards. its 100% easier than pulling loops etc. i use 200# spectra or tennis shoe strings whichever I can find laying around

 

Northern Tool has a good variety if you need some quick...

 

People,
The best 1/4" heat shrink is the 3 to 1 from 3M, most of what you find is the 2 to 1.

 

Hey randy the knot seems very simple but im weary because it seemstoo simple. Have you had any knot failure with thatknot? It seems like you pull hard enough it will just slip out. Thanks

 

galveston1602,

Great series of pix and thanks for taking the time to put it together, but I have the same concern as peterk814... It seems like that simple knot would pull right out. Have you really put that to the test?

What brand, size, and mfg. number hook are you using in the photos?

 

i have used this set up and haven't had any failures. the super glue to the knot makes for a real solid connection....rick