Decades old. MUSTAD Southern and Tuna Hooks. 7691, 7690

Commonly used for fishing big game sharks, Marlins etc. Mustad 7691 large hooks remain widely used to hunt large Marine predators. Today, it's been manufactured using Stainless Steel (7691S-SS) or with Duratin coating (7691-DT) to resist corrosion. Sizes range from 1-5/0 to 12/0. 

Size: 10/0 7691-SS

During the earlier eras (decades ago), smaller sizes of 7691 Southern and Tuna hooks had been manufactured in Mustad's hometown of Gjovik Norway. Smaller sizes such as number 8 is not found in Mustad's recent catalogs. Mustad had most likely ceased manufacturing such sizes, instead they focus productions on large sizes for big game angling/commercial fishing uses.    

Brown-stained retail's box of 100 hooks, containing 10 individual packages of 10 hooks in each.

(As indicated on labels)

Left unnoticed in the tackle shop's dusty stockpile for at least 2-3 decades. It was re-discovered & brought back to sales.   

9 pieces counted out of a box of '10'. 

Originally white colored cardboard boxes, turned horribly stained due to dusts, moisture & negligence/multiple handling. 

Even though the labels indicate 10 hooks in each individual box, 1 or 2 hooks were found missing in each of random few boxes. BEWARE when buying loosely packed fish hooks, count them if you can! 

As a result, i'd received 92-93 hooks, when i paid for this box of 100. That roughs up to approximately an individual box's worth of hooks missing. 

Fish hooks were traditionally counted by hand, and packaged into folded-up boxes with waxed paper separating products from gaps between folded cardboard. Miscalculations were possible, meanwhile not ruling out hooks disappearing during shipping & period of handling or abandonment through decades. . .  (missing hooks not found anywhere in retail sized box).

    The tackle shop owner helpfully replaced the missing pieces with a similar 10 pieces/box of size: 10, Qual 7690 Southern and Tuna.

Lets do a comparison between a similarly boxed 7691 & 7690. Both being Southern and Tuna hooks.

 Just as the contemporary productions,  the old 7691(bottom) was forged, knife edged & braze ringed. 

It was Cadmium-plated & tinned before the use of Duratin. 

7690 (Top) differs by having a needle eye, in this is a spaded end with hole drilled in the center.  

These are remains of some aged MUSTAD products which held reliably strong despite it's small sizes. With good washing using some warm fresh-water, every hook is re-usable multiple times without rusting easily. It is upsetting to learn these toughly built old school's Qual. 7691& 7690 of sizes below 1/0, are incredibly tough to source even from online

       . . .      

Well, we've got to move along with time. 

Mustad products, made in Singapore.

 Mustad company built a facility in Singapore during the early 1970's, manufacturing fishing tackles including lines & fish hooks for the region & internationally. The Singapore's factory produced hooks until 2007, when all productions are relocated into China.

http://www.mustad.no/230912www/aboutmustad/history.html

A couple examples of fish-hooks, among the vast catalog of fishing products being made & distributed:

 Sales sample diagram of No. 2335 

(Mustad-Round Bent Sea Hooks)

Size number 18 in box of 100 pieces.

No. 2315

Spaded-end. (Flatted)

No. 2330. Size number 18

(Mustad-Kirby Sea Hooks)

100 Pieces

A new development during the later era, as chemical sharpening of hook points 

began to be used until today. 

Ref. 10829NPBL (SOI)

Moving along, circle hooks become more widely used. 

This is presumably among the last productions rolled out of Mustad's factory line

in Singapore. 

Ref. 39952NPBL

Demon (Fine Wire) Circle hooks. 

Some, mixed into those from various countries. 

Number 13. Maruseigo.

Mustad- Giant Tuna Hooks. Model 7734 sample size chart.

Here're six beasts encased into a A5 size cardboard chart, the Mustad 7734 Giant Tuna hooks ranging from size 6/0 to 11/0.

Forged along the shank till the tip of the point, it was therefore marketed as thrice times extra stronger than their regular steel i suppose. Knife edge point allowing easy penetration, which may also be sharpened using a stone. 

Built largely for commercial fishermen targeting various Tuna Species, some anglers may use these for other big game fish. This model of 7734 has no longer been in production for a long while, neither found in Mustad's latest catalogs too.  

J-shaped fish hooks such as this, have high occurrences of gut hooking marine creatures by being swallowed. As the results, un-targeted species like sea turtles are often critically wounded or killed due to J-hooks piercing into their throat/guts. 

Tuna populations are over-fished while some species under critical level before extinction. Limits & bans are imposed on some areas, meanwhile conservationists work to learn of their breeding patterns for sustainability. 

Fish farms are raising tuna species for the large consumers markets, in attempts to reduce fishing impacts on the depleting oceans wildlife.

Mustad Salmon hooks. Model 95160 Sample size chart.

This old display of salmon hooks, exhibits four sizes from 6/0 till 9/0. Stainless steel material, large ringed eye & wide gape.

New reference numbers for this model are 95160-SS. 

(SS- Stainless Steel)

http://www.mustad.no/catalog/na/product.php?id=1939

Sample size chart. Model 9255 X Mustad Beak Hooks.

Here's an original salesman/tackle shop's size chart made from laminated cardboard, displaying actual hook samples labelled with it's respective sizes available for sale then.

Made in Gjovik-Norway by O. Mustad & Son A.S. under the 'key brand'. Date period unknown.

Model: 92553 X
Mustad Beak Hooks
Barbless
Forged, extra strong.
Reversed point.

Each chart will be sealed with the  same label glued onto all it's paper packaging.

Note the size number will not be indicated on all actual charts.












Model serial 92553 X is replaced by 92553X-NI for it's current production.
http://www.mustad.no/catalog/na/product.php?id=2335

Basic anatomy of a fish hook.

image from mustad.no

To make-out various designs of fish hooks, will require a little idea of the basic anatomy. Dimensions & lengths vary between hooks models to suit fish species, tackles, legal requirements & fishing conditions.

For instance, the shank of a worm hook will be much longer to hold a worm. 

In case fishermen broke their lines therefore leaving the fish hooks still attached, fish hooks commonly are made from Iron/steel/Stainless steel(modern) materials which may rust & detach from fish's mouth due to corrosion by the seawater. 

I came across an uncommon fish hook which was made from solid chromium if i ain't wrong. Chromium greatly increases strength to withstand tension.  

Here's a breakdown of each anatomical section:

Eye-

The rear end of the hook may be twisted or drilled to create a hole for passing the fishing line through during tying. Eye is a crucial feature for a secure connection with the line, preventing slippage on a well tied knot. Large hooks, may have the joints at the eyes welded. 

(spade end)

 Some hook models will have a spade-end instead of an eye. 

image from repelsharks.com

A spade end is flattened at the end, causing a larger surface area looking like a spade. More typically designed on small sized hooks/fly hooks for smaller sized fish, to reduce weight for easier mimicking of lifelike prey actions on flies & sabiki rigs. Firm & tightly snelled knot to prevent line slipping over the spade end.   

Shank-

Shank is the length between the eye & bend. It'll withstand some tension, while keeping away from the line & bend for allowing hook's point to reach further into fish's mouth. A shank will also be partially wrapped by the line, particularly in a snell knot. Shank is also important in holding onto bait. 

Bend- 

Between the shank & point, bend is another critical feature which grips onto the fish while withstanding most tension as a terminal tackle. Weak hooks frequently break/straighten at this region.    

A straightened hook is good as a straight needle, giving the fish an instant escape. Stronger hooks are heat treated & forged bilaterally (especially at bend) to add strengths. 

Notice the flat surface done from forging process. 

Mustad 7691S(Stainless Steel)

Point & Barb- 

Where the 'Fish-on' begins, here's the first contact which sticks into the fish mouth. Upon sticking in, the barb buries itself into the flesh/bones. Fish feels hurt, but the barb is vital to prevent losing your catch. it latches against the tissues, preventing the hook from slipping out. Barb-less hooks have been produced for fishermen who'll wish to released their catch minimally traumatized, or do not mind losing it during the fight. 

Gape- 

Length of distance between shank & point. Wider a fish's mouth, wider a gape for a least harmful hookup. No doubt a narrow gape, to pass through a smaller mouth. 

Size:

Every hook models are manufactured in a scale of ranging sizes. Fishermen choose according to the size of their targets or partly the capability of their tackles. 

Actual measurements however, differ greatly between models; although size numbers can be exact.  

Smaller ranges are numbered from largest being no.1, till as large a number indicating smaller ones as the number grows. 

Example: Size no. 3 will be larger than size no. 8

Anything bigger than no.1, falls under a different indication marked with ' /0' behind the numbering; strictly starting from 1/0. The arrangement will go from small number being small size, to larger number being a larger size. Numbers hence grow as the sizes get larger.

Example: Size 2/0 is smaller than size 6/0    

In some large hooks models, manufacturer may not produce sizes below 1/0. 

Offset

What's a Kirbed hook? What's a Reversed? 

That's the either side which a hook's point is bent towards, at the bend. A reversed hook is bent towards it's left while facing you, whereas a kirbed hook is bent towards it's right. A straight hook well.... its pointed vertically. 

Reversed

image from mustad.no

Kirbed

image from mustad.no

An offset hook has a great advantage increasing hookups than a straight hook. A straight hook's point may miss it's contact upon a fish bite, whereas an offset hook is more likely to stick-in from another angle inside the fish mouth. 

Small collection of old Mustad fish hooks products.

Fishing is another hobby of mine while collecting vintage Mustad products is a sideline. Though collection is small, it gives nostalgic feelings & appreciation of fishing tackles innovation during the earlier days.

Each post will briefly describe a specific model of fish hooks particularly of Mustad brand, as it's well known for quality & history of countless fish hooks products popularly sold worldwide.

Few may be rare or unseen, hence this blog attempts to give a glimpse hopefully.