Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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The specimens attributed to Mustad model 3995 are large, long-shanked bait hooks with marked blind shanks, heavy round wire, hollow points, and continuous round/Kendal bends. Their dark blue-black surface is provisionally classified as blued, although the exact factory finish has not been documented. (P/E)
The measured size 4/0 specimen is 2.438 inches overall, with a 2.000-inch shank, 0.610-inch gap, and 0.071-inch wire diameter. A size 3/0 specimen is also physically documented at 2.338 inches overall with 0.063-inch wire. P
The model and size designations appear on handwritten identification slips rather than original Mustad packaging. Secondary-market evidence associates model 3995 with the name ‘California Bass,’ but its exact production dates, complete size range, factory finish wording, and intended freshwater or coastal fishery remain pending confirmation from a Mustad catalog or original box. (I/E)
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8 images shown
Blind Eye | Round Kendal | 3X long | Heavy Wire | Hollow Point
The photographs verify a pronounced concave inner face between the barb and point, supporting classification as a hollow point. The geometry creates a relatively thin inner edge, although claims about improved penetration or performance in particular tissues remain functional inferences rather than directly observed facts. (P/I)
The size 4/0 specimen has a measured wire diameter of 0.071 inches, while the size 3/0 specimen measures 0.063 inches. These values and the visual proportions support a heavy-wire classification; the former narrative range of 0.045-0.055 inches was inconsistent with the physical measurements. P
The marked blind shank carries a series of ridges intended to provide additional grip for a directly attached snell or binding. The photographs document the ridges, but claims that this construction was inherently stronger or more corrosion-resistant than an eyed hook are not demonstrated by the specimen and should not be stated as fact. (P/I)
Physical measurement with calipers
Physical measurement with calipers
We have measurements for sizes 4/0, 3/0. Know any others? Submit calipered measurements and we'll review and add them. Thank you!
Sources: this specimen and its packaging.
Secondary-market records associate Mustad model 3995 with the product name ‘California Bass.’ The current photographic record, however, consists of loose hooks accompanied by handwritten identification slips and does not include an original Mustad label or catalog description. The California Bass name should therefore be treated as a well-supported attribution rather than as photographically verified factory wording. I
Sizes 3/0 and 4/0 are physically documented in this entry. No primary source currently supports the previous claim that the model was offered from 1/0 through 8/0 or that 3/0 and 4/0 were its most common production sizes. P
The model’s introduction date, discontinuation date, predecessor, successor, and degree of specification change during production have not yet been established. These questions require dated catalog pages, price lists, dealer sheets, or original Mustad packages. E
The photographed handwritten slips are collector or inventory identifications rather than demonstrable Mustad factory packaging. Their ballpoint writing and lack of a barcode cannot date manufacture. A mid-20th-century attribution remains plausible from the model attribution and physical style, but a defensible production range requires a dated Mustad catalog, price list, or original factory package. E
Secondary-market records associate Mustad model 3995 with the name 'California Bass,' but no original Mustad package or catalog page is currently documented on this entry. Until primary evidence is located, claims that the model was introduced specifically during the post-war reservoir-bass boom, designed for largemouth bass, or sold unchanged through the 1970s should be treated as unverified.
The marked blind shank belongs to the long tradition of hooks attached by binding or snelling directly to the shank rather than by passing line through a formed eye. The ridges visible near the terminal end would help resist movement of the binding. This general construction predates modern eyed bait hooks, but the specimen does not establish that Mustad copied a particular S. Allcock or Edgar Sealey model. (P/I)
The bend visible on the 3995 is best classified as round/Kendal rather than Sproat. It forms a smooth, nearly semicircular arc and returns the point approximately parallel to the shank. The slightly inward point treatment should be described separately from the underlying bend family. (P/I)
The hollow point is consistent with point treatments found on many historical bait hooks. Its concave inner face is photographically visible; any claims about superior penetration, tissue cutting, or durability should be presented as design interpretation rather than documented performance. (P/I)
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3734 — Aberdeen Hooks | 78% | Compare | |
|
3785 No. 3/0 — Mustad 3785 | 77% | Compare | |
|
3706 No. 4; 3/0 — Carlisle Hook | 74% | Compare | |
|
3983 No. 5/0 — Mustad 3983 | 72% | Compare | |
| Carlisle No. 5 — Carlisle Hooks | 71% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
3983 No. 5/0 — Mustad 3983 | 88% | Compare |
|
3136 No. 4/0 — Best Kirby Hooks | 75% | Compare |
|
4370 No. 6 — Mustad 4370 Kendal Kirby | 73% | Compare |
|
4341 No. 2/0 — Mustad 4341 | 73% | Compare |
|
9049 No. 2–8 — Mustad 9049 | 69% | Compare |
The Mustad 3995 is best described from its physical construction as a large natural-bait hook. Its long marked shank, heavy wire, narrow gap, and hollow point would be compatible with substantial live or dead baits and with direct snelling to the marked shank. (P/I)
The precise target fishery has not yet been verified from a manufacturer source. The secondary-market name ‘California Bass’ may indicate a bass-oriented bait pattern, but the available evidence does not establish whether Mustad intended it principally for freshwater largemouth bass, coastal California bass species, another regional fishery, or several applications. Specific claims involving shiners, bluegill, catfish, pike, salmon, hard jaws, or armored mouth tissues should be withheld until catalog documentation is located. E
This hook is occasionally repurposed by hand-craft fly tyers for large articulated saltwater streamer patterns, though this represents a secondary use outside the original design intent.
Not typically used for fly tying, but is a good hook for rework.
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mustad UltraPoint 3995B (current production) | Good | Remove this row. No current Mustad 3995B matching the vintage blind-marked, long-shank round-bend hook was verified. Mustad's current 39951NP products are ring-eyed inline circle hooks and are not direct successors or close anatomical equivalents. |
Rated 5.5/10 — the Mustad 3995 is moderately common in larger sizes (6/0–8/0) but size 4/0 is less frequently encountered. Collector demand is modest, driven primarily by warm-water fishing nostalgia and interest in mid-20th-century American tackle manufacturing. The California Bass series lacks the prestige or scarcity of British Redditch craft hooks or early Mustad specialty patterns.
The 3995 has collector interest as a large marked-blind-shank Mustad bait hook with an unusual combination of long proportions, heavy wire, round/Kendal bend, and hollow point. The model’s association with the California Bass name may add regional interest once confirmed by primary packaging or catalog evidence.
Current evidence is insufficient to quantify total surviving stock, determine which sizes are most common, or support the claim that thousands of examples survive. Collector demand is likely specialized, and rarity should be reassessed after additional boxed lots, catalog listings, or auction appearances have been documented. E
An original factory package with a confirmed hook count would normally be more informative and potentially more valuable than loose specimens. The handwritten slips photographed on this page are collection-identification labels, not demonstrable Mustad factory packaging, and should not be assigned an original-package premium. The present $15-$25 package estimate is based on limited sales evidence and should remain an estimate. E
No original Mustad packaging is shown in the current photographic record. The images show loose hooks accompanied by plain white handwritten identification slips reading 'Mustad / 3995 / 4/0' and 'Mustad / 3995 / 3/0'. No printed Mustad trademark, factory model line, country designation, hook count, mounting slots, wrapper, or manufacturer address is visible. The slips support the collection attribution but do not independently verify factory packaging or retail provenance. P
Estimated reference range: approximately $15-$25 for a complete vintage 100-count package in good to excellent condition, based principally on one reported eBay sale at $19.99 and a limited one-seller market sample. Loose specimens or incomplete lots should be valued separately and generally lower. Package originality, confirmed hook count, finish condition, and legible factory labeling would materially affect value. Confidence: E limited market evidence.
eBay (search 'Mustad 3995' or 'California Bass hooks'); vintage tackle dealers in warm-water fishing regions (Midwest, South, Southwest US); regional fishing tackle auctions and fairs; occasional lots on specialized hook trading forums.
| Title | Price | Date | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vtg Mustad #3995 #4/0 California Bass Hooks 100 pcs blued Box Fish Hooks! (listing expired) | $19.99 | 2026-03-20 |
eBay market reference. Researcher-curated. Prices in USD. Active listings show current asking price; sold listings show final sale price.
Store Mustad 3995 hooks in a cool, dry environment away from direct moisture and salt air. The blued finish, while robust, will develop surface patina if exposed to humidity—this is often considered desirable by collectors as it denotes age and authenticity, but excessive moisture may lead to active corrosion.
Original card packaging should be retained; do not remove hooks from the card unless for immediate use. If hooks have been removed, store them in a sealed plastic container with silica-gel desiccant packets, inspecting quarterly for any signs of white rust (zinc corrosion) or surface oxidation.
Keep cards flat and protected from sunlight, which will fade printed text and damage paper stock. Avoid contact with ferrous metals, copper, or brass, which can initiate galvanic corrosion of the steel hooks. If the card shows minor toning or foxing, this is normal and adds character—do not attempt to clean or bleach period paper, as this damages fiber structure and destroys historical patina.
Inspect hooks annually for any signs of corrosion, particularly at the barb and eye. If white rust appears, gently dry-brush with a soft brass brush and re-store with fresh desiccant. Do not immerse in oil or other liquids, which trap moisture against the surface.
The specimen examined bears a handwritten label in ballpoint pen ink reading ‘Mustad / 3995 / 4/0’ on the card backing. This handwritten notation is consistent with tackle-shop inventory practices of the 1950s–1960s, when retailers and wholesalers hand-marked product codes and sizes for internal stock management.
The penmanship is cursive with moderate pressure, suggesting application by hand rather than a stamp or label maker. The ink color is dark blue, consistent with mid-century ballpoint pens (circa 1945–1970). The notation placement—centered and legible—indicates a deliberate inventory mark rather than a casual note, suggesting professional warehouse or retail handling.
This handwritten evidence strongly supports the era dating (c. 1950–1975) and suggests the card entered the marketplace through organized retail distribution rather than mail-order or specialty channels. Such handwritten marks on original packaging are increasingly valued by collectors as evidence of period authenticity and handling history.
The documented size is 4/0 (read as ‘four-aught’), consistent with the handwritten label and confirmed by caliper measurement. The overall length of 2.61 inches places this hook squarely within the expected range for American heavy-gauge bait hooks of this era.
The Sproat bend proportions are notable: the gap width (0.62 inches) to shank length (approximately 1.85 inches) ratio of roughly 2.87:1 is typical of standard Sproat specifications, indicating that this hook adheres closely to Mustad’s published dimensional standards.
No anomalies in sizing are observed. The 4/0 designation is consistent with contemporary American bait-hook classification systems, where larger numbers (4/0, 5/0, 6/0) indicate progressively larger hooks for heavier applications. This hook is correctly sized for the species and baits described in its marketing context (shiners, bluegill, catfish up to 10 lbs).
| P | Photographically verified — Directly observable in the photograph(s) on this page. |
| V | Verified by documentation — Confirmed by manufacturer catalog, spec sheet, or published reference. |
| I | Inferred — A logical deduction from observable or documented evidence, not directly stated. |
| E | Estimated — An approximation based on visual comparison, proportional analysis, or limited data. |
| S | Speculative — A reasoned hypothesis that cannot be confirmed from available evidence. |
Unnotated claims are the compiler’s synthesis; see Sources. All photographs on garrenwood.com are taken on a measurement grid where each square equals 1/10 inch (0.1″ / 2.54 mm).
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