Scud Hooks Vs Standard length hooks

[DAVID95670]

What are your thoughts on using a rounded scud or 1x short hook aka 2457/2487 vs standard length?

Are the hook rates and holding fish while fighting the same with both hooks?

[Jeff C.]

I like the 2457 because of the wide gap and heavy wire. I've kept more fish on the 2457 because the down turned eye and round shape of the hook seems to keep the hook point at a better angle than a straight shank hook.

[Frank Alessio]

I like Scud hooks for Soft Hackles...

[gene goss]

I like the TMC 2499SPBL....straight eye, 2x heavy, 3x wide, 2x short, curved shank, forged, bronze.....strong hook for their size.

[Mark Kranhold]

David, what type of flies are you looking to tie for your hook suggestions? If you are talking soft hackles, try the Umpqua C200BL. Heavy wire ,wide gape ,std. shank , XL needle point. A little more money but worth it.

[DAVID95670]

i am tying soft hackle wet flies and emerger dry flies with these hooks. when i used the 3761 first tie on wet flies i got solid hook ups.....

[chapmag]

What are your thoughts on using a rounded scud or 1x short hook aka 2457/2487 vs standard length?

The short hooks work best for me for little flies (18s and 20s). I'll use size 18 2457/2487-like curved hooks and end up with a size 20-ish Pheasant Tail nymph, for example.

I have an easier time tying, and a much easier time extracting the hook from a fish. And I like the slight curve in the fly body from the hook.

[JD]

i am tying soft hackle wet flies and emerger dry flies with these hooks. when i used the 3761 first tie on wet flies i got solid hook ups.....

Short shanked hooks are best for maximizing the gape on smaller hooks. For most other instances, the standard hooks work fine. For soft hackles, the TMC3769 serves fine, and for emergers I just stick with the TMC100, which has a wide gape by design.

When fishing for big fish with small flies, I prefer to use 1-2XS hooks 1 or two sizes larger than original.

[Mike R]

I use scud hooks exclusively for anything smaller than sz 10. I discovered this fishing the feather and sac where the big fish like to eat small bugs. I was occasionally bending out sz 16-18 standard nymph hooks. Because of the shape of the hook, I get to tie a sz 16-18-20 bug with a sz 14-16-18 hook gape. I also think that the rounded shape gets more "lip" and seems to took fish a little better than with straight hooks. This also applies to dries, except for using the 2487.

If you want a straight eye, I have had good luck using the 2488 and 2488H. And if you're feeling evil, try the 2499SPBL. That hook should be illegal.