I've been using the Gammie 4/0 for kings and "big" silvers tha last couple of years. Last fall I was tired of cutting off the wild fish with $.80 worth of hooks in their mouths so I switched to my favorite steelhead style hook, a Mustad 92553 in 4/0. This spring I again used Gammies for Springers, and I can usually get a couple of fish per hook usage before they are screwed up. Well, over the weekend I used my Mustads again because I was out of Gammies. My wife and I caught 8 summer kings (and lost one, on a bent hook) and all eight riggins' (double 4/0's) were shot after one fish. I was really suprised at how "soft" the mustads were as compared to the Gammies. Here's my question: What is a good, "hard" hook that won't bend much (nor break - not too hard) that is affordable in large quantities and I might be able to get a couple uses out of it with proper sharpening? Or should I just use the Gammies, and not try to save a few bucks? Thanks!!!

use gammies, visions, mustads, eagle claw, or whatever.. everyone has different opinions when it comes to hooks and you're not going to get just one answer, personally i use gammies.. but ive tried vision, and i'll be trying mustad soon...

if you're hooks are bending, what lb test are you using, and what type of line.. i ran into problems when my lind had no give to it.. i was using copoly line and when a fish would take off the line would not stretch making my hooks bend/break.

the mustand ultra points are supposed to be somthing like 30% stronger at the point.. you might wnat to pick some of those up to try???

either way.. if you're hooks are bending no matter what brand of hooks you're using to high lb test, your line has no give, or you just got a bad batch..

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Last fall I was tired of cutting off the wild fish with $.80 worth of hooks in their mouths so I switched to my favorite steelhead style hook, a Mustad 92553 in 4/0.
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Do not know if you are using barbless but in the fall when fishing for the nates barbless hooks make the release much easier.

Gami's all the way every day
OK I wish every day

Are you saying that when you hook a wild fish that instead of popping out those BARBLESS hooks with a simple,quick flick,you cut the leader and drop it back in the water???

I must be misunderstanding you.

I don't think there are any truly "bad" hooks out there any more,most are quality hooks,but some lack the sharpness I like right out of the box. I am in your same situation,I don't like losing spendy hooks on dogfish.

I used to use only gammies,but have changed to mustad ultra point's in the 3/0 fine wire.They are almost as sharp as gammies but not quite,a quick shot with a file and there sharper. I like the fine wire cause they don't tear up herring as bad when baiting up,and they penetrate easier.

The largest king I've got on them was a 22lber a couple weeks back and they held up fine,I really had to put the screws to em' trying to turn him when a troller almost cut us off,no problems with them bending.

The cheapest I've found gammies is $.27 ea. in a 100 pack. I get the mustads for $.20 ea. in 25 packs. That's not alot of difference but over the course of a season it adds up and lets me fish a few more times,without the wife gettin' riled up.

I also tried vision and they were not as sharp either,but again a quick shot with the file and your good to go. I tried two 50pks and about half had sharp spots around the eyes that I thought may cut a leader when under pressure.They're not a big company,I think when they grow a bit more they'll work it out. Vision hooks seem to run about 1 size smaller than the other brands,if you try them compare them in size before you buy em'. The vision reps will send you some sample packs if you e-mail them,we'll probably hear from them shortly anyways.

Buy 100 packs of gammies and less beer if need be?????????????????????????.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

I'm usually a "gammy" man myself while in the salt, but I've noticed over the years that gammies just love to rust . While fishing from the beach, I have lost fish due to the hook points touching the sand and getting a little scuffed and immediately starting to rust causing a dull tip.

The more I use Owner hooks the more I love them. Only one problem though is that I haven't found them bigger than 2/0 in size? Does Owner manufacture 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0? Does anyone have experience how these hooks hold up in the salt?

BD

Yes owner does make larger hooks,Try a G.I.Joe's
or sportco.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Strike Zone:

Been there done that. Those were the first places I hit. I'll just keep up the search. Thanks anyway though. Are you doing your B-10 trip again this year?

BD

I used to fish the barbless Gammies in the salt, but they kept rusting out too quickly or I couldn't keep them sharp enough. Also, I have had Gammies bend/break more on larger fish. I went back to Mustads 92553SX. Stainless is stronger than nickel plate, stay sharp and don't rust. Since I rarely (and I mean blue moon) fish with bait, I use 5/0 tied closely together year around in the salt. As far as Owner hooks, they are pricey.... I have problems keeping them sharp too. Hope this helps!

Downriggin'

Thanks and keep 'em coming! I'm using 25lb green maxima (what else is there?) and I don't use barbless unless I have to.

Bobber down,
Yes,I'll be staying @ Ft.Stevens on the Oregon side and runnin out of hammond.I will be there from 8-17 thru 8-25.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Snit,

For a mainline, I have been using 20# Izorline Plus with great results. I never have broken off a fish from the mainline- ever! As far as leaders, I use 20# maxima for spoons and 50# flouro or better for hootchies/flies.

As far as barbless hooks, nothing catches more fish than barbless (IMHO). It is just easier to hook'em....

Downriggin'

...Not to mention that from the Straits all the way down to south Puget sound, barbless hooks are REQUIRED by law! Plus, using a de-hooker and barbless hooks together makes releasing the wild fish relatively unharmed pretty easy.

It seems that alot of people don't realize,that barbless hooks are the law for all species in area's 5-13. Not just salmon anymore. It's a good idea to read the new regs every year,it's cheaper than any ticket!

Last year I was fishing the Astoria area where barbed hooks were allowed. I assumed that just cutting the leader near the hook(s) was less traumatic on a "wild" fish than trying to corral them against the boat/net then trying to pry open the mouth and insert the pliers/hook remover, but maybe I need to get the hook(s) out of all fish???

Last year I was fishing the Astoria area where barbed hooks were allowed. I assumed that just cutting the leader near the hook(s) was less traumatic on a "wild" fish than trying to corral them against the boat/net then trying to pry open the mouth and insert the pliers/hook remover, but maybe I need to get the hook(s) out of all fish???

I am not going to get into the best hook discusion but I think any time you start running hooks that big you will see an increase in breakage and bending.The law of physics is against the hook when you think about it.I believe that the chances of pulling on the end of the hook increases putting an incredable amount of force at the bend.Just my expieriance with bigger siwash in the spring.

I save money lots of different ways,but not on hooks.

Gammies or Owner cutting point.

Hey Bobber D, Try www.ownerhooks.com/