The best Hooks

[The_Bass_Whisperer]

Who Makes the Best Hooks?  I am looking for a few catigorys Sharpest-Strongest- Stays Sharp Longgest. Is there a suggestion on how to keep my hooks sharp??????????

[MALTESE FALCON]

I'VE ALWAYS USED GAMAKATSU HOOKS. ALWAYS BEEN PLEASED. I JUST PURCHASED SOME VMC HOOKS BUT WON'T TRY UNTIL SPRING.

ALOT OF MY FRIENDS USE OWNER HOOKS AND SWEAR BY THEM.

FALCON

[BassFishingMachine]

I use gamakatsu myself, those hooks are extremely sharp.

[jdw174]

Gammakatsu, Owner, Daichi all make good, sharp hooks.  On cb's, I personally favor Excalibur trebles.

[phisher_d]

Gammies are the sharpest hooks I've tried, but Owners stay sharp longer.  When I need strength I use a Gamakatsu superline hook.

I've heard that ITT's X-point hooks are tops in all three of those categories, but they're a little over my budget...

[5bass]

Owner is my first choice.....Gamakatsu is my second.

[roadwarrior]

Although I mostly fish Gamakatsu, I think the XPoint is the sharpest, strongest and longest lasting hook on the planet. I still have a pretty large stash of Gammies, so I will continue to use them (occasionally), but the XPoints will spoil you.

p.s. I know most guys sharpen their hooks and you should get some good advice from some of the other memebers, but for me, I think dull hooks should be replaced. I was recommending the XPoints as single hooks only and they cannot (should not) be sharpened due to their design.

[Guest avid]

I use owners.

I don't agree that dull hooks need to be thrown out.  A good diamond sharpener and a skillful technique will have them needle sharp.

I test my hook sharpness by tapping it into my fingernail.  If it slides it's dull, if it sticks it's sharp.

You don't throw away a quality knife when it needs to be honed why do it with hooks?

[justfishin]

Gamakatsu for EWG, Owner for straight offsets and Excaliber in trebles. I don't do much hood sharpening. I might dress them up a little once in awhile but, if my hook is getting dull I put on a factory fresh hook.

[Catt]

The one on the end of my rod and no you can't have any  

[MyKeyBe]

Lunker City.

[cart7t]

I use EC's lazer sharps, Gammies, owners, mustads, you name it.  Honestly, they all make great hooks and I've yet to find anyone brand that is superior to all the rest across the board.

[Garnet]

I use them all Mustad have the best Quality eyes. Very little gap for Knots to slide out.

Gammis and Owners are terrible for this but we let the companys away with this and still pay top dollar.

Garnet

[flechero]

I like Owner, no question about it.

I know most guys sharpen their hooks and you should get some good advice from some of the other memebers, but for me, I think dull hooks should be replaced.

I have to agree, even Xpoints are not expensive enough to worry about, replace them as needed! Even the Xpoints are under $1 a piece so unless you are really broke, replace them. Most people lack the skill to properly sharpen a hook so I don't recomend it as a rule but I do think all fisherman should know how.  (cutting points like Xpoint and Owner require more care and a little different technique to sharpen) Having said all that, when running low I will sharpen as I go. To Avid's point (no pun intended) years of practice allow me to put a true needle point on a hook in short order. They just don't hold it as well as when new, I think due to the chemical temper being lost or changed.

As for lures, like spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, most need to be touched up straight from the package, IMO.

[Floridabassking352]

Gamakatsu is the best in my opinion.

[Guest avid]

I buy hooks all the time.  I agree that considering how vital the hook is to catching bass they are bargains.  For example, you can have a $500 megabass destroyer rod, a $500 stella reel, and if your .89 cent hook is dull your gonna miss the fish your thousand dollar outfit detected.

But out on the water I am constantly checking the sharpness of my hooks.  If It does not stick into my fingernail with a light touch, I'll take out the diamond sharpener and with a few deft touches it's samurai sharp.  

If can't hone the point to perfection in a few seconds, then off it goes and a new one is tied on.

I think using one brand of hooks exclusively makes this process much easier.  I use owner cutting points.  I have come to learn that a few quick strokes at this angle and then a few more at  that angle should make it razor sharp again.  If your using different hooks with different point designs, your bound to fudge it.

[The_Natural]

Hehe...this is like a 'what is the best line/rod/reel post'...everyone has a favorite.  I use several different hook brands.  For lighter line, I like Gammy and Texposer hooks (for stickbaits).  For Heavier applications, I use X-points and Owner straight shanks.  Treble hooks are where I have a hands down favorite...The Daiichi 4x red trebles.  The 4x hooks use a heavy gauge wire, and this equates to a stronger treble that holds its point longer.  I've been using them for a couple of seasons now, and remain impressed.

[Bud]

I like Owner.  I don't sharpening them.  When they become dull I trash them.   But before I throw them into the trash I grind the point off so someone cannot get hooked.

[The_Natural]

I like Owner.  I don't sharpening them.  When they become dull I trash them.   But before I throw them into the trash I grind the point off so someone cannot get hooked.

The only hooks I sharpen are spinnerbait hooks- all other hooks and treble hooks get trashed when they become dull.  

[roadwarrior]

If you are curious about the technology that goes into designing and building a hook, go to the XPoint website just for fun. I'm not sponsored and I really don't care whether you try this brand, I just think you'll find it interesting, I do. Plus, these guys offer a 200% money back guarantee. Ever heard of anyone doing that?

http://www.xpointhooks.com/

[justfishin]

Thanks RW for the site. I will try them. If what they say is true it will be my new hook of choice. How are the smallies down there by the way? I just got back and we had 64 and not one under 3-2. The water was 39-42. Dark mellon purple flake salty tubes, 1/4 jighead with rattle. Eight to twenty five feet of eddie water. I hope they are doing as well for you smallie guys down there.  Good luck.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Xpoint are the best!  I have yet to fish one that is as good.  Owner takes second place

[roadwarrior]

The Tennessee River is a commercial river controlled by TVA. They didn't release water this weekend during the day, so no fishing for me! We NEVER catch those kind of numbers, I *** you. A good day here is ten smallmouth, our best day ever for numbers was twenty-five and that has only happened once. However, using live bait we probably catch more than 100 lbs of "fish" per man.

The deal here (for me and my partner) is size. We get a few nice ones once-in-awhile.

Back on topic:

I go through more hooks than you might imagine. Not Offset EWG, but circle hooks. In the summer, striper fishing, it's not unusual to use 10+. Fishing live bait for smallmouth on the river requires 20+ per man per day! Still, in my opinion the hook is the most important piece of equipment in the "package." So, no cheapies for me.

[justfishin]

Thanks RW. Trust me, it is not always that good this time of year. We just had a decent day. It is that time of year here for good ones. The average day here can be between 25-100 and I have had 130 fish days. I have also had no fish days, two fish days and so on, LOL. Most of the time for two guys at this water temp it is like 18-35. Sometimes 3-4lbs with a five here and there, and sometimes 8-10 inchers,lol. You know how that can be.  I agree  with you, what is the point in having all of this expensive equipment and use cheap terminal tackle like hooks. I was impressed with what I read. I am sure they will be my new hook of choice. Nice talking with you and thanks again---Jim.

[castaway]

I like owners better than any other brand I have tried. I also like the Gamakatsu EWG superline hooks as well. Ivan