Andy,

To answer your question, I've broken a few hooks but VERY few, and I haven't had one break in several years, although I've straightened some hooks out a few times, although mostly lighter gauge hooks on jigs. If I broke a hook on a fish, without my line breaking first, I'd be plenty pissed off. If it happened twice in the same batch of hooks ( ALL brands have manufacturing defects in a small percentage of their hooks, usually the more you pay, the less defects) the rest would go in the trash.

Keep in mind that I usually fish from a boat, so that minimizes the numbers of times you have to REALLY put the screws to a fish and test your tackle's limits. But I've put the screws to many a big chum, just to get them in quickly, and I haven't had a hook fail in several years. I mostly use Gamakatsu hooks, but I also use Mustads, Owners, and some fine wire Eagle Claw hooks on jigs. There's nothing wrong with any of these hooks, in my mind, as long as you use appropriately sized line for the gauge of hook you're using.

Just remember, whatever brand you're using, keep your hooks SHARP on EVERY cast. Don't play the clown and keep fishing with a dull hook for a "few casts", since one of the casts could be the one "Fat Bast*rd" decides to pick up for a second. Since Gammies are extremely difficult to put a point back on, due to the chemical sharpening process, some guys don't care for them. I just cut it off, pitch it and tie on another Gammy. I figure the price of hooks is small change compared to how much flow I spend on tackle, rods, reels, line, etc., so why use either cheap or dull hooks? Unless you're a guide, and use vast quantities of hooks, I don't think most guys can really justify trying to save a few clams on hooks.

Of course, this is just MY opinion. As far as the hook debate goes, it's a Ford/Chevy thing for the most part. Use hooks you feel you can depend on, keep them sharp, and the rest is fundamental.

Fish on........