Let’s talk hooks

I guess most Talking The Wild regulars know that I’ve come to be a great fan of Daiichi hooks over the years. And you have often heard me preach about the pitfalls of trying to save a few bucks at the business end of your offerings. Yes, Daiichi may cost a little more, but what is it worth to you to hook-up solid on most strikes and to land that one that got away? Some Daiichi hooks will even help you get more strikes to begin with.

Daiichi goes even further (than just being the sharpest) by offering progressive hook designs including my smallmouth fishin’ favorite, the Bleeding Bait-Circle Wide Hook with a built-in secret weapon—the unmatchable red color (others have tried and failed). But maybe I’ve said that all before in one way or another.

What I never said is, sure, I started out being a fan of Daiichi hooks the first season I tied them on, but now I find myself becoming a fan of Daiichi itself. That is to say, those Alabama boys are more than just hook makers, they’re innovators, and more than just business folks—they’re obviously fishermen.

Lately they’ve been coming up with better and better rigs and fish catching techniques to match their great family of hook designs. So my tip this week is to get to know the Daiichi family of great hooks that includes Tru-Turn and X-Point and catch more fish.

I only have so much room here, so we’ll talk about some more of these rigs in the future for sure. In the meantime, check out Daiichi for yourself by asking for Daiichi hooks at your favorite tackle stop or by writing to 100 Red Eagle Road, PO Box 1177, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092-0020.

Upper Delaware Field Notes

• Smallmouth action on the Delaware is getting better by the day. Along with the old dependable stand- bys, a small gold Rapala or pumpkinseed jig, I’ve been finding myself throwing the Daiichi “stoopid rig” more and more. In it’s smallest size, it’s a smallmouth killer and great fun to fish. I talked about it a few weeks back, but it’s worth repeating because it’s working great. All you need is a pocket full of Split Tail Shads, some HitchHikers bait screws and 2/0 Bleeding Bait Circle Wide Hooks and you’re in business.
• On July 1, the 2001/2002 Pennsylvania resident and non-resident hunting and furtaker licenses went on sale. All license fees are the same as last year’s. Both resident and non-resident muzzleloader licenses must be purchased by August 31.
• Applications and details for the upcoming limited bobcat and elk seasons are available in the 2001-2002 Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, which is provided to all license buyers. Thirty elk licenses and 520 bobcat permits will be awarded at public drawings. The drawing for the bobcat permits will be held September 14 at the PA Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters; elk licenses will be selected on September 29.
• Resident hunters may begin applying for a county-specific antlerless license on Monday, August 6. Non-resident hunters may begin applying for a county-specific antlerless license on Monday, August 20. All hunters may apply for the first round of unsold antlerless licenses beginning Monday, August 27; the second round of unsold antlerless licenses may be applied for beginning September 10.
• Nine thousand five hundred antlerless licenses have been allotted to Pike County this year, up from 7,500 last season.

Until next time, be safe and good luck!