Advice on Hooks

[Celestial_Teapot]

Hi folks,

Do you think there a difference in the quality of various hook brands? Gamakatsu's seem to be 30 - 50% more expensive than Mustard, which in turn seem to be more expensive than SureCatch is there a reason for this? Is Gamakastu a better hook, will it catch me more fish? I would love the advice of those more experienced and an insight into what manufacturers you rate.

cheers,

[tunaticer]

Mustad used to be the standard all other hooks were measured by and are good hooks. Gamakatsu are as good as and in some cases better then the Mustads. Owner hooks and daiichi's are in the same quality as well.
Truth be told tho, i believe that marketing has a large part to do with thier popularity.
Some brands of hooks are like specialty hooks for a particular style of fishing like tiemco (fly fishing) and others cover basically the full spectrum (mustad) and every hook will catch you fish. Some have better set and forget hooks that you should not strike (circle hooks) and some have bends in the shanks to turn the hook into the corner of the mouth when you strike (tru-turn).

Basically you need to decide what style of fishing you are going to do before you go and be sure to have suitable hooks for that particular technique.

SureCatch hooks have caught literally millions of bread and butter fishes around thew world and can't be discounted as rubbish, but compared to Gamakatsu's they are a lot weaker. That will not be a problem however if you fish light in order to get the most bites.

Jack.

[Little grey men]

Like most metal tools and bits and pieces, the more expensive ones are generally made with a higher carbon content. In the case of hooks this means that they will hold a point for longer. The cheaper brands will sure hook up, but if your serious about catching fish, you will have to sharpen them more.
Pick up a treble made by Surecatch and one made by owner and you'll see and feel the difference. The owner trebles will be more "sticky" they bite into your fingers much easier than cheaper versions.
To give myself the best possible chance I always upgrade the hooks on cheaper lures. No good having a good rod, a good reel and line, good bait or a decent lure but letting it all down with a soft or dull hook.

[Celestial_Teapot]

Will the higher carbon content will make the hook rust faster? - I'm guessing it will. Can you successfully sharpen Chem-Sharp hooks, I though I had read that you couldn't or it wasn't recommended, I would like to know if I'm wrong though.

Thanks for your replies.

[loophole]

i dont think u can sharpen the chemically sharpened hooks.

pretty sure if u did it would make it bcome weaker im not to sure on this tho.

[Little grey men]

I resharpen all of my hooks, I mainly use Owner black nickel plated. When you sharpen them the bit rubbed off is silver. That does rust a little but not enough to make a difference. I use a little stone to touch them up before I fish.
Never heard anything about not sharpening chem sharpened hooks...I guess they don't recommend it so you'll buy more instead of touching them up.

[coucho]

I have used mustard hooks for as long as I remember and it is a bit of a case of you get what your pay for. Have used other lower quality cheap hooks before only to have them straighten out or even snap when your onto a really good fish and that can really get you swearing.
have also used gamigatsu hooks but can't justify the extra expense as the mustard hooks well they cut the mustard.

[Scott nthQld]

I use mustad in everything up to 3/0, any bigger and I change to Gamakatsu, though mainly a personal preference, I think the Gamakatsu hooks are a bit stronger, and I like the extra piece of mind I get.

Among anglers, brands will mainly be an argument of personal preference and thus will never end, much like the cat/mono debate, 2 stroke v 4 stroke, etc, just go with what you feel is the best option for you, try a few diiferent brands to find one you like. That's what many of us have done, and most would now be set in their ways talking up the gear we use and putting down others, even though the competing gear will have just as many people using it and just as many people happy with it.

[NAGG]

I personally feel that the Japanese lead the way with their chemically sharpened hooks ...... The likes of Owner , Gamakatsu , Daiichi & Decoy are the ducks nuts ( but they come at a price)
Having said that .... The likes of Mustard & VMC will always have a place though (caught countless fish over many years)

Nagg

[Alex The Angler]

I bought 2 packs of Jarvis Walker chem sharpened hooks from Km@rt cause they were on sale, are they any good?

[Celestial_Teapot]

Thank to everyone for the replies - looks like I'll be experimenting with some Mustard ChemSharps at the weekend.

[reidy]

I bought 2 packs of Jarvis Walker chem sharpened hooks from Km@rt cause they were on sale, are they any good?
For a young fella fish-in the esturies theyll be ok Alex.
Keep asking questions mate and the more you will learn.
Good on ya and good luck with the fishin:)
Cheers
Reidy

[Shanoss]

I've always used owner trebles. Cant beat them IMO. And i've just become a Gamakatsu convert. My hook up rate has doubled since i have started using them. Maybe they work better for me cos i hate sharpening hooks and they seem to keep a good point for ages.

Shane

[Spot82]

I have used gamakatsu's for many years now, excellent hook and like others say keep a good point for a long time. Recently started using Black Magic hooks which are extremely good also.

In addition to this have also recently started using circle hooks for all of my reef fishing/bottom bashing and seem to catch twice the fish as with a normal hook. Just give the fish a bit of slack line, then strike and you have them hooked. I find it extremely hard to hook fish with a normal hook now, as strange as it seems.

As others have said you get what you pay for, and it all depends on what type of fishing you are doing and what for and how you fish/your technique. Experiment is the best way :)

[skeeter]

For my two bits worth - Owners are my choice. Any hook that keeps hooking you as soon as you touch it has got my attention. I use prawnstars and they are the only trebles that have the eyelet in a different position which suits these lures better.

Peter