Does anyone know if the color of a sickle hook is a code are is it just a color of the hook.

Just a color as far as I know Larry. Some say it makes a difference in the strength/hardness of the hook, but I've never noticed a difference myself.

The black nickel is harder than the others.

I just avoid the bronze ones because that was the first one that had the breaking issues and mostly because they rust so easy!

Skip

Go with the black nickle/blk chrome there the best.

Thanks, seems its a big secret with the folks that make them. But, did find out the first bend from the point is called a Angle bend and when it hangs up should not bend. But if it does it will throw the hook off for setting if not put back just so-so. The other bend is called a strength bend and hopeful be the one to bend in hang up, and put back in place easy. But as for as I can find out all sickle hooks are the same.

All is not equal from time to time you order them! Sometimes the eye is smaller than you want and sometimes is just right and even other times you may get some eyes open and not closed! Even will get different wire sizes on occasion! Still for the money and sharpness, they are the best option IMHO!

I am sure they would like consistent hooks, but they are not that! Still my hook of choice for now!

Skip

I like the sickle hooks too but there are some that I've had issues with straightening out with just normal fish catchn (pound to pound & a half crappie) then there are some that hold their form terrific....caught this BIG blue this w-end & was surprised the 1/8oz sickle didn't straighten out.....I wish they were all like this....i have sorta a love/hate relationship with sickle's...

The black chrome is the most popular, but I had so many of them break that I changed to the red. The red are the same as the gold, just red colored over the gold. They bend rather than breaking, which I prefer. The bronze also bend before they break, but as was mentioned earlier, they rust too quickly.

I thought that it was just a bad batch a few years ago? I've been using the Black Nickel (from Barlows) and haven't had any issues with breaking.

+1

The black nickel hooks are harder than any of the others. That makes them stronger. But it also makes them more prone to break than bend. Some people prefer that. I don't.

The biggest upside to a stronger hook is that it will hold a sharp point longer and hold a big fish better without bending. I preferred a hard hook when I was bass fishing, but not now that I'm crappie fishing. Different strokes...

Larry, I just did a big batch of the jigs with the bait holder wire and I used the gold sickle hooks
and they are really good hooks. One of the guys I fish with caught a 30 pound Yellow Cat on a 1/16 oz.
round head jig with the gold hook. I thought sure it would have straightened the hook but it hardly bent
it at all. Oh yeah it was a number 4 fine wire hook.

Johnny

The big deal I have had with the sickle hooks the putting the hook point back where it is suppose to be. They do bend easy and putting them back is easy, but knowing if it right. The last six months they have been hitting hard and no big deal. But, now its that 5-6 months of soft hits that hard to know about. Sure hate to miss many when I know I only know about half of what's playing with it.