Peter,
They have a bass mouth but one that is considerably stronger than any LMB I've ever caught. The structure is even stronger than a striper or barra. That said, they inhale a fly just like most bass species do.
Any strong hook will do. I used jig hooks exclusively - the Targus 9413 3/0 and the Gama jig hook with the flat eye (don't recall the number right now). The Gama hook was the strongest of the two but I only had 3 hooks open dropping good fish. That was when using a stout 10-weight and 40-pound leader - give no line. When I switched to a 9-weight I didn't open another hook.
Bill Blanton fished some of his flies on a 600 SP, I believe and had no problems with hook failures or dropping fish.
I liked the jig hook because I think they hooked better and rode over the wood better. That said, I would have some flies tied with snag guards on standard J hooks. Their mouths are not hard and getting good penetration is not hard, especially pulling the way you have to in order to yank them out of the sticks. Again, if going again, I would still tie most of my flies on the Targus or Gama jig hook. They worked great for me.
Dan [click here to display pictures] |