Gamakatsu superline ewg hooks

[Crankhead]

I just started using Power Pro braid line and noticed a few of the Gamakatsu hooks bent when catching a bass. So I bought some Gammie superline ewg hooks to try them out. I noticed that they appear to be thicker and feel a little heavier. The only negative so far is that a couple of times when I texas rigged a lizard for example, the superline hook tore up the bait when sliding it through the head. I'd like to hear from others that have used these hooks.  

[Rich K]

I have used Power pro on a baitcaster and did not like it. After a couple of overruns the line cut into itself and weakened tremendously - to the point of a couple very frustrating break-offs on 30lb test. I have been using Suffix now and love it! Nowhere near the same problems.

Anyway, as most of the braid manufacturers recommend dialing down your drag a bit. They caution that you will tear hooks out, but the flip side is bending hooks. I use some fine wire worm hooks and have bent them from time to time - could be the differences in consistency from hook to hook, but I think my drag setting may have played into it as well.

If you like the hooks you bought, you could always try another brand of plastics. I know rhino sells a hardnose series that they claim does not have the same problems...

[Raul]

I noticed that they appear to be thicker and feel a little heavier.  

That 's why they are labeled for super line.

[J Francho]

I use Power pro braid on several applications, both spinning and baitcasting.  I often wonder why people start out with 30# braid on a a BC.  You're using something with the diameter of  8# mono and that is much more limp.  Not the time to get fancy with finesse braid diameters when you're trying it out for the first time.

I generally use 50-80# braid on my BC reels, and 10-30# on spinning.  Why, because each type of reel excels at those diameters.  On spinning rods, I generally use the rod line rating to calibrate the drag.  If it says 8-12#, I set the drag there, unless the breaking strength of the line is less than the rod's rating.  That way you get the most out of the rod's potential.

For casting rods, I do the same thing with the exception of flipping sticks and frog rods.  For those I crank the drag right down.  There aren't many bass that are going to break your rod, and I want to be able to set the hook, lift the bass from the cover, and get it out of the weeds as fast as possible. Most breakage will from trying to yank your jig out of a lay down.  Use common sense.

As for bent Gammys, well I use Gammys for some applications, but heavy cover is not one.  I love their light wire worm hooks for small plastics and their trebles are a great upgrade to your cranks as well.  Get yourself a 25 pk. of Owners and try them out.  I think you'll agree that they resist bending.  I like Wide Gap Plus (EWG), Round Bends, Mosquito  and Twist Loks from them.

[Big-O]

Lick the hook tip and bend prior to inserting in the bait   ---(sounds familiar). Be careful not to stick your tongue... ;D

Big O

[Willzx225]

x2 on the Owner Wide Gap Plus - this is my work horse hook.

It seems as if you are trying to use the braid in finesse applications if you are using light wire Gammy's.  Remember when you step up to braid in test larger than 30lb you, for the most part, are stepping out of the realm of finesse so make sure you adjust your tackle properly.

[bwirth1999]

I have used Power pro on a baitcaster and did not like it. After a couple of overruns the line cut into itself and weakened tremendously - to the point of a couple very frustrating break-offs on 30lb test. I have been using Suffix now and love it! Nowhere near the same problems.

Anyway, as most of the braid manufacturers recommend dialing down your drag a bit. They caution that you will tear hooks out, but the flip side is bending hooks. I use some fine wire worm hooks and have bent them from time to time - could be the differences in consistency from hook to hook, but I think my drag setting may have played into it as well.

If you like the hooks you bought, you could always try another brand of plastics. I know rhino sells a hardnose series that they claim does not have the same problems...

Sounds like you either didn't have backing on your spool before you put the braid on, or it wasnt put on tight enough.  Make sur to alway back your braid with a small amount of monofilament to prevent the line slipping and then cutting into it self.

As for bending the hooks.  Just dont set the hook so hard..  with zero stretch braid you can almost reel the slack up to set the hook..  

[roadwarrior]

As for bending the hooks. Just dont set the hook so hard.. with zero stretch braid you can almost reel the slack up to set the hook..

The answer is a stronger hook, but even light wire doesn't bend on the hook-set. Hooks straighten out under stress from fighting a fish or more often, hanging up. Unless you are fishing with a circle hook, reeling up slack is not a satisfactory substitute for setting the hook, regardless of the line you are using.

:

[bwirth1999]

As for bending the hooks. Just dont set the hook so hard.. with zero stretch braid you can almost reel the slack up to set the hook..

The answer is a stronger hook, but even light wire doesn't bend on the hook-set. Hooks straighten out under stress from fighting a fish or more often, hanging up. Unless you are fishing with a circle hook, reeling up slack is not a satisfactory substitute for setting the hook, regardless of the line you are using.

:

Yes thank you, the reeling up comment was said in jest.  But if you dont want to adjust your hookset then yes a superline hook is called for..  the fact that his hooks are straightening is interesting though,  he would have to put decent pressure on the fish while fighting it to do that, unless the hooks are crap.  another solution, if you dont use a leader use one, it makes a great shock absorber.   A hook can be bent in a hook set as well as in a fight, especially with braid in either case.   A lighter hook can be used if he goes witha  harder hook material, but this adds the brittle factor.  If it doesnt affect your fishing use the Super line hook, othe wise work on setting the hook softer.

[Rich K]

Sounds like you either didn't have backing on your spool before you put the braid on, or it wasnt put on tight enough. Make sur to alway back your braid with a small amount of monofilament to prevent the line slipping and then cutting into it self.

As for bending the hooks. Just dont set the hook so hard.. with zero stretch braid you can almost reel the slack up to set the hook..

I just did not like the coating on power-pro. I love Suffix and will gladly pay the extra money for the lack of headaches. I still get overruns from time to time, but can get them out without any damage to the line.

I have had to learn the "snap set" when using braid. Learned the hard way - too many break-offs. I am also psyched to try the "J-knot" that was posted elsewhere on this site for leader knots.

[bwirth1999]

yeah the coating goes away after a while, then the line turns white, like most others.  Suffix is a great braid as is Stren.  

[Jeff C.]

has anyone had the braid get caught where the eye bends back around against it self. There is a small gap on some hooks where the eye is not 100% closed.

[CWB]

As for bending the hooks. Just dont set the hook so hard.. with zero stretch braid you can almost reel the slack up to set the hook..

The answer is a stronger hook, but even light wire doesn't bend on the hook-set. Hooks straighten out under stress from fighting a fish or more often, hanging up. Unless you are fishing with a circle hook, reeling up slack is not a satisfactory substitute for setting the hook, regardless of the line you are using.

:

Have to disagree with hooks not bending or breaking on hookset.

I'm 6'4", 265 and really lay the wood to em on the hookset. After having a few light wire or lesser brands break or come right back straightened, went to Superline , Mustad Heavy and Owner heavy.

No more problems. Must agree on reeling in slack to set hook.

For circle hooks only. (That's what they were designed for). Caught a 650 LB. Blue Marlin pithing a bait to him watching him swim away and clicking over the reel and winding. Took about and hour but got him in on 30lb. main line, 80 lb. leader. Pretty Lucky!

[Just_Old_Fisherman]

has anyone had the braid get caught where the eye bends back around against it self. There is a small gap on some hooks where the eye is not 100% closed.

I have had 50 Lb braid slip through the gap in some Gamakatsu 3/0 hooks when fighting a fish.  Got back the knot was all.  That was why I have switched to Owner hooks for soft plastics, seem to have a tighter loop in the eye.  At least I haven't had that problem with Owners yet.

[LunkerLust]

I switched from 5/O Gammys to 4/O Owners wide gap. They have the same bend but they're a little shorter so they fit better into shorter baits or when I start to pinch off the tops of the Brush Hogs, when they tear.

They also seem easier to remove for catch and release.