why knock Eagle Claw?

[RobE]

I haven't lost sleep over this... just curious. On this and other forums, it seems that there is always someone dissing Eagle Claw.

I'll be the first to admit that they aren't my hook of choice for TX rigs and jigs, etc. But to knock a company as a whole doesn't seem fair.

I use ECs gold aberdeens when fishing for crappie and other panfish with minnows and can't say that I've ever missed a hookset due to the hook itself. They also make nice dressed trebles for the $$. And they're American!

I have an older 7535 spinning reel that is my backup for walleye trolling. Will use it 'til it dies.

What brought this up, I guess, is a buddy making fun of me wearing an EC ballcap. Asked if I really used that 'junk'.

Did Eagle Claw do something that I'm not aware of that soured everyone or is it merely a case of brand-snobbery??

[cart7t]

I regularly use EC hooks, along with other brands as well.  I've yet to have an experience that would sour me on using their products.  

[Dan:]

The Lazer Sharps aren't too bad but all the other stuff that I've used has been horrible. Some of it rusted in my box before I could even use it.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I made the mistake of filling a small plano box with all my worm hooks and EWG's and a few of them were Eagle Claw but most were Owner and Gamakatsu. Needless to say after a few months went by I then had to throw the whole box of them out due to rust. Approx. between 60-80 dollars of Gammy and Owner hooks gone because of the rusting Eagle Claws in the same box. I haven't had that issue when I just have the quality hooks in a box like that. So I said nope,never again will I buy them. The red hooks are very shody and the paint wears off way to fast. The hooks aren't as sharp as well. I can't see any reason to not spend one more dollar or sometimes less for a pack of quality hooks if you go through the Eagle Claws twice as fast I don't see how it is a value anymore. Hey, the panfish hooks are great though. :

[JacobK]

I made the mistake of filling a small plano box with all my worm hooks and EWG's and a few of them were Eagle Claw but most were Owner and Gamakatsu. Needless to say after a few months went by I then had to throw the whole box of them out due to rust. Approx. between 60-80 dollars of Gammy and Owner hooks gone because of the rusting Eagle Claws in the same box. I haven't had that issue when I just have the quality hooks in a box like that. So I said nope,never again will I buy them. The red hooks are very shody and the paint wears off way to fast. The hooks aren't as sharp as well. I can't see any reason to not spend one more dollar or sometimes less for a pack of quality hooks if you go through the Eagle Claws twice as fast I don't see how it is a value anymore. Hey, the panfish hooks are great though. :

keep them in the original package they won't rust.

[Use ONLY Stren]

I can straighten a lazer sharp EWG with one hand, can't do that with a Gammy or an Owner. You don't want to be pulling a fish out of cover and have the hook straighten and lose the fish, ive been there its no fun. ;D

[Jeff H]

I've actually gotten to like the Grigsby HP hooks.  I just wish they could also produce them in a fine wire version.  As for the rest, mostly just dull and do not measure up to the others I prefer.  If they had good, sharp EWG and offset shank worm hooks I WOULD buy them just because they are American made.  

[Stringjam]

JMO....Eagle Claw dishes it out (they're marketing is aimed at dissing imported hook brands).  If you're going to do that, you better put out a serious product to compete with them, or you're going to take a lot of flack.  

I really don't see the point in making statements like "We ship hooks overseas, not jobs."  That's BS - - Gamakatsu, VMC, Owner, etc. aren't U.S.-based companies shipping hook-making jobs overseas.

There are some new hook designs from Eagle Claw that I'd like to try out.....it's been awhile since I've used Eagle Claw because my previous experiences weren't good.  I would love it if a U.S. company would come out with a top-shelf product.  

[grimlin]

I'll be the first to admit that they aren't my hook of choice for TX rigs and jigs, etc.

Why do you think that is? I'm guessing you don't trust them either.... ;D

There are other hooks much,much better than eagle claws.I rather put my trust and confidence in a brand i know won't fail me than eagle claws which hooks has failed me before.

Their tube jigs,the hooks on them bend very,very easy...and they aren't the sharpest hooks out of the box.

Like you however,when "fun" fishing for panfish with my kid I'll use those little bitty panfish hooks from eagle claws.Simply because they are much easier to find everywhere.I don't spend a lot of money for something like that.When it comes to my serious bass fishing that's when i rely on the better hooks.

[Jake.]

They aren't as sharp as Owner and Gamakatsu, and they bend and rust easier.

[bass wrangler569]

They aren't as sharp as Owner and Gamakatsu, and they bend and rust easier.

that pretty much sums things up

[DINK WHISPERER]

Back when i was a teen and not as deep into bassin' i used EC exclusively! I never had a major issue with them except for rusting in boxes. I now use Gamakatsu but will be switching to all Owner soon.

[sambrochill]

i only use gamakatsu hooks for things like t-rigging and all the other fancy stuff but i strictly use the eagle claw bait holder hooks when i'm fishing with live bait

[BassFishingMachine]

Someone said this on here awhile ago and to this day I remember it. The eagle almost went extinct because its claw's kept losing the fish!  

[avid]

About the only eagle claw hooks these days are the kahle live bait hooks.   Otherwise it's pretty much owner all the way.

[VAfishin4me]

There's only two brands of hooks I won't buy....Eagle Claw and VMC

Bad experiences right out of the containers

[aarogb]

    I use Eagle Claw snelled hooks all the time when I am bottom fishing in saltwater.  

[Jeff H]

There's only two brands of hooks I won't buy....Eagle Claw and VMC

Bad experiences right out of the containers

I like the VMC "round short" trebles.  Love that short shank treble on my crankbaits. Haven't tried any other VMC hooks in a long time though.

[SirSnookalot]

I use whatever is in stock, that being said I've used EC 4/0 circles on bonito, kingfish and snapper, good hookset, don't bend and yet to see them rust.

I do just fine with their wide gap hooks for bass.

[iceintheveins]

Even the lazer sharps aren't needlepoints. Their hooks just don't stand up to Gammy, Daiichi, Owner, Mustad, X - Point, or even BPS needlepoints. They aren't sharp, they bend, and they rust.

[roadwarrior]

What brought this up, I guess, is a buddy making fun of me wearing an EC ballcap. Asked if I really used that 'junk'.

I think your buddy was doing you a favor. Hooks are the most

important tackle we all have. Several brands offer high quality

hooks at a reasonable price. Save money somewhere else,

don't skimp on hooks.

8-)

[21farms]

JMO....Eagle Claw dishes it out (they're marketing is aimed at dissing imported hook brands). If you're going to do that, you better put out a serious product to compete with them, or you're going to take a lot of flack.

I really don't see the point in making statements like "We ship hooks overseas, not jobs." That's BS - - Gamakatsu, VMC, Owner, etc. aren't U.S.-based companies shipping hook-making jobs overseas.

There are some new hook designs from Eagle Claw that I'd like to try out.....it's been awhile since I've used Eagle Claw because my previous experiences weren't good. I would love it if a U.S. company would come out with a top-shelf product.

totally agree with you. the eagle claw print ads i see are ridiculous and along the lines of "this is ed. ed has worked for us for over 40 years. ed has cranked out millions of hooks. ed is an american." [slightly exaggerated for emphasis but you get the idea] NO mention of quality, innovation, or fish-catching ability...only 'buy us cuz we're american'...it's like they just don't get "it". hey, eagle claw, instead of playing the patriotism card, churn out some truly great products. the trokars seem interesting BUT at $2 to $3 PER HOOK????

[Danny1991]

I'll use em for panfish, but when it comes to bass hooks there junk! The EWGs straighten very easily and lose there sharpness in no time flat! any kind of hang up bends the point of the hook.

Gammy user for life!!

[burleytog]

I can't believe people are actually paying $10 for a pack of Eagle Claw Trokar hooks.   ;D

[RoLo]

In years gone by, Eagle Claw and Mustad pretty much cornered the fishhook market.

Today however, premium hook-makers like Gamakatsu, Owner and Daiichi

all produce hooks that are superior to Eagle Claw. The hook is the last thing on the end of your line,

and the last place you'd want to scrimp.

Roger