[konalure]

Hi to all,

I was wondering if anyone knows about the processes involved in making larger sized fishing hooks.

I have a design for a fish hook that is specialized for Big Game trolling applications, I would like to pursue having them patented, manufactured, and sell them

I would like to get some prototypes made of my design for testing but have no clue if the tooling is extensive and expensive for making them ( I would guess that it is )..

I would suppose the techniques for making stainless steel hooks are a lot different than making galvanized steel ones.. what would be easier to make? especially at the prototype phase?

Sorry in advance if my metals knowledge is limited I am a fisherman after all not a metalworker by any means.. I am going thru the provisional patent process ATM and want to eventually bring this hook design to market..

any suggestions?

thanks in advance, Del:wave:

[Bob La Londe]

For prototypes what a lot of guys do is take an existing similar hook and modify it wth a couple pairs of pliers.

The big hook makers are very secretive about their processes. One hook company that I get on with pretty good has said their primary manufacturer will not let any of them in the processing areas at all. I have been told that the minimum price tag for a production run of hooks is $50K from any of the big players who know what they are doing.

If I was going to tackle a prototype hook, I'ld probably start wth the "modify somebody else's hook" approach to start. KEEP IT SECRET AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The tackle business is very cut throat.

Then find a fairly hard work hadening wire, and some wire forming tools. I doubt a Boggs wire forming tool would be upto the task. You might keep your eye out for a used programmable spring making machine on Fleabay. It woud be ideal if you could find a wire that is.

Hard
Formable
Work hardening
And will possibley accept case hardening.

Highly corrosion resistant would be nice, but I don't think its quite as important as selling people on your design idea. The thing that makes it special. Eagle Claw has been selling hooks that will rust for a very very long time.

Some folks want you to believe it will cost you more than its worth to make your own hooks, but I believe its doable. Expensive, but doable.

[konalure]

thanks for the info Bob,

I agree the tackle industry is very cuthroat, kinda expected that when fishermen are involved... lol

I definately would be outsourcing the manufacturing part of this.. I guess its pretty speciallized, maybee if there was a smaller company already making hooks I could get investment into it and then promote my design. ( I have investors interested ) It really seems there are only a few major hook companies and I frankly think their hooks are not very efficient in hooking billfish specifially and I have just gotten frustrated at the all the lost fish I've had over the years .. trust me 1000's of em... there is got to be an improvment that can be made in the design

I have already started experimenting with modifying existing hooks, however my design has a few things that I cant alter an existing hook into..

I'll keep at it, I have the design finished in Rhino cad and need to work on the patent first before I proceed. I felt it would be better to have a actuall tested hook to submit for the patent..

I also am a fisherman not a metalworker, and in this town there is pretty much no industry so there is nowhere locally to try to get help..

I understand that stainless hooks are more or less bent into initial "J" shape and then the point area is stamped into shape? are galvanized hooks made the same or more or less "molded" and then the eye formed afterwards? I honestly always prefered galvanized for fishing Big Game here because they were always stronger than stainless.. ( snapped a few stainless in my days on big marlin )

thanks, Del

[Shane1234]

the real question would be is it easier to manufacture these hooks from scratch or make a jig that you can place a bulk-bought hook into and form them into place. the jig would do all the work, just place the hook in and when pressing the parts of the jig together it would form your style from the bulk style.

[Bob La Londe]

the real question would be is it easier to manufacture these hooks from scratch or make a jig that you can place a bulk-bought hook into and form them into place. the jig would do all the work, just place the hook in and when pressing the parts of the jig together it would form your style from the bulk style.

That's a little outside the box thinking. I don't know how well it would work, but I like it. It might be just the ticket for some very small production prototyping.

[Shane1234]

That's a little outside the box thinking. I don't know how well it would work, but I like it. It might be just the ticket for some very small production prototyping.

a person could make it like the DO-IT jig molds, just need to find the right brains to design the mold..... my only concern is with treble hooks, but if the OP is using this for ocean fishing, those treble hooks are large and would be easy to have clearance.

checked out your link yumabassman. good stuff..... I write for nwiowaoutdoors.com