Hook eyes
Ringed
Eye: An eye in which the wire
diameter is constant and forms a circle perpendicular to the plane of the
hook itself. The ball eye may be closed or open. The closed kind is
tempered and therefore stronger; the open eye is usually found on less
expensive hooks.
Brazed
Eye: The
gap of the eye of this hook is brazed to the hook shank. It makes a very
strong eye, and one which will not cut the leader or line. Big-game hooks
are usually brazed to ensure maximum strength.
Tapered
Eye: On
a 'tapered' ring, the thickness of the wire is reduced. It gradually
tapers towards the end of the ring. This is done to reduce the weight of
the hook and make it effective for dry-fly use.
Looped
Eye: The
wire in the eye of the hoop runs back along the shank toward the rear of
the hook. The end of this wire is usually tapered, although it can also be
made untapered. Looped-eye hooks are traditionally used in making salmon
wet flies.
Needle
Eye: So
called because it is similar to the eye found on a needle. One advantage
of the needle eye is that it may be easily strung through a natural bait
without fouling. It is also strong.
Flattened
Eye: In
this type the end of the shank is flattened, and a hole is pierced into
it. The flattened eye is used for medium-sized species in commercial
fishing. Where natural bait, such as a seaworm, is used a hook may possess
no eye at all, but simply a flattened end. In this case, a monofilament,
steel, or fibre leader is snelled on to the hook shank and secured by the
flat itself.
Courtesy Mustad Hook Company