Does anyone have any experience with this particular rig hook? I have heard mixed reviews when it comes to rig hooks in general. This one is made by "EZ Rig Hook" says it can handle a boat over 7000 pounds. I have heard of these things bending and firing right back at you at a high rate of speed.

Long Handled Extra Heavy Duty
Conventional Rig Hook
WITH 25 ft. Rope Mooring Kit Assembly
Prevent Damage With This Rig Hook & Rope Mooring Kit Assembly Combination

I've never personally used a rig hook but the feedback I have seen on even the best ones was not real positive.

I feel you are better off with the "jug" method. Safer and easier.

my 2 cents.

And before too long there may not be anything out there to hook it to.

I've never used a rig hook, I just toss the rope over one of the legs and use my gaff to catch it.

I'm curious too. That is the part of fishing trips I hate the MOST!! I hate standing on the bow while my buddy is driving my boat and can't hear a darn think I'm saying as we are sliding forward and back in 3-5 foot seas (or worse). I'm looking for a safer way to tie off because I don't want to run my pulpit into the leg of a rig or fall into the drink...especially at night. I was looking at rig hooks and have heard good things but now I'm not sure. I'm not familiar with the "jug method" I'm assuming you get a small jug with some water to give it some weight and pitch it over a rail and retrieve it with your gaf?
Any safe ideas would be welcome. My boat is about 12k lbs.

That's pretty much it. An old one gallon Clorox jug with some water or sand in it for weight with the lid firmly attached. Tie it to you rope and toss it over whatever is easiest on the platform. The jug will float back to you. With this method you don't need to get as near to the platform depending on your accuracy and skill level.

I have also seen videos on youtube where guys just used an old boat fender and it worked great.

Rig hookers and jugs!!! NOW we're talking!!

That might not be a mermaid worth seeing...

So are there any other safe and effective methods out there? Thanks for the education on the jug method...Off to Wal Mart to buy bleach!!! I like the rig hook method because it gives you the flexibility to slide back off the platform a bit easier (and not have both ends of the rope to contend with). Are the hooks really that notorious for straightening and coming back on you?

We have used the throw type rig hook and it worked OK. The medium size would hold a 30' sportfisherman that weighed 15,000 lbs. We ended up loosing it when the rope broke and it fell off the rig. Now we us a 10' piece of 3/$" conduit that has been bent with a hook on one end. It works good and you only have to get about 6' from the rig.

Tried the jug method. When we threw the jug over the rig pipe, the pipes were so corroded with rust and barnacles the rope would not slide over the pipe like we had it planned. The jug would just hang down dangling on the rope never touching the water. We finally got it to work but it was a general pain in the butt. The hook works ok, but like everything else...... you have to be careful, your getting the nose of your boat close to the rig.

It sounds to me like you could have used more weight in your jug. I've never had that happen or heard of that from friends.

Tunatamer you are probably right about the amount of weight in the jug. We did add more water to the jug and it finally worked OK. It took more water than we thought it would to do the job and overcome the rough pipe snagging the rope. All is well that ends well!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a bunch of untrained cowboys , guys time to start practicing your lasso ! Lol