The Morel jig from Seibert Outdoors is a 5313 hook, not a 5318, there is a huge difference between the two hooks. The 5313 is a 1X strong and has a large bite with a cutting point while the 5318 is a light wire hook with a normal bite and it has a needle point. As for Gopher tackle, they use a few different types of hooks but there heavy hook models start at 3/32oz and all of their smaller sizes are made with light wire jig hooks. I think Fishwizzard knows what he is talking about but is using the wrong terminology making it difficult to understand. Gopher doesn't use magic or a special hook, they use standard light wire hooks but their head uses a collar with small double barbs, the puts some weight on the hook shank which helps the bait fall straighter is the worm is rigged slightly off center, that is why he experiences "roll" with other heads. As for the hooks being brittle, well not really brittle but flexible, the Aberdeen style hook is meant to have flex so it can be straightened out on a snag, the Z-Man hook is brittle, there are a lot of examples on the internet showing numerous breaks on the hook shank. I believe that happens on the Z-Man heads because of that keeper being welded on the hook, it may be affecting the temper and instead of the hook having some flex it just becomes brittle. The Gopher heads as I said before, use standard hooks in their smaller size jigs, they are Gamakatsu 114s and Mustad 32746/32755, these are the ones that would be the same as the Owner 5318 and they are also the type of hook guys complain about bending out. The light wire hooks are sticky sharp and if your set up is balance you shouldn't bend them out except for hung on a snag but braided light and heavier powered rods have a tendency to get anglers in the habit of using too much force which is why the hooks will bend out. The size #1 I believe is the perfect compromise in hook size, the larger bite will result in fewer lost fish but it is still allows the worm to move more than a larger hook which can help in drawing strikes. The purpose of the rig is to have a subtle action, almost do nothing but if you watch on of these in clear water using a 1/0 hook versus a size #1 or #2, you'll see there is a big difference in how the worm falls and behaves. The 5313 that is used on the Morel Jig is probably the best universal hook you will find, it is strong enough that a heavier rod and line isn't going to bend the hook out so easily, it can be bent but it takes a lot more force than any light wire hook. The other thing is that even though it is a 1/X strong hook, it is still super sharp and the wire is still light enough that it allows more finesse oriented anglers the ability to get positive hook ups with light line, I use 6lb line and have not had an issue with losing fish or hooking them and I can even reel set with a light powered rod. I'm sorry for the long rant but there are a lot of misconceptions with hooks and sometimes just having the power of suggestion is enough for someone to shy away from something that is good just because of someone else's perception without any real world experience.
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