For salmon and big baits, I've went strictly to VMC "straight point" salmon-steelhead hooks, and found a considerable difference in hook-up ratios. With every other hook the point curves inward toward the bait- typical curved hook style. When you have a big chunk of herring or eggs, this means the hook point is lying right down on the bait. We all want fish that just chomp right down on the bait, crushing the hook and submerging the hook point itself. Unfortunately, they usually just pick it up first and move with it. A straight point hook is right there out of the bait and already stuck into some flesh and a good hook set finishes the job.

I only use gammies and owners for all of my jigs, spinners, drift flies, and nonbaited lures, but the vmc's make me feel more confident when I'm bait fishing, and they are cheaper, too.