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| Popping bugs, by Kirk Dietrich, on #6 B10 hooks from Gamakatsu |
There's no excuse for fishing with dull hooks.
OK, I'll cut you some slack if you're a novice, but an angler with any experience on the water should understand that dull hooks mean you're losing fish.
How do you know that a hook is dull?
Here's a simple test: Rest the hook point against your thumbnail at 90 degrees, then drag the hook off to the side (do it lightly ... you're not trying to impale yourself). A sharp hook will grab hold of your nail. If it skids, the point needs honing.Why would anyone buy a dull hook?
Dull hooks were once the industry standard. There was no such thing as a sharp hook right out of the box, and the only people who had sharp hooks were those who knew how to use a file. That meant having to do some extra work, which was annoying, but it was also essential.
Well, it's not essential anymore. Technology has advanced to the point where you no longer have to accept mediocrity. You can buy Gamakatsu, instead, which means you'll have hooks that are sharp right out of the box. And not only are Gamakatsu hooks sharp; they are also strong, tough and rugged.
How does Gamakatsu achieve such quality? For strength, the company starts with a premium high carbon steel that's developed specifically for fish hooks, and it uses a unique electronic tempering process to give the metal superior durability. Then the hook is run through the most modern sharpening process in the world, resulting in a perfectly conical point of unequaled sharpness.
It's no wonder Gamakatsu has earned 70 percent of the market in Japan. Give Gama a try; you're going to get hooked.
A Late Note: I've gotten email from a friend advising me not to understate the importance of Gamakatsu's hook strength. Good point.
One of the most difficult tasks in making hooks is achieving the proper balance between strength and flexibility. In addition to using only the best high carbon steel, Gamakatsu has developed the most advanced tempering system in the world. The solution didn't come easy; it took the company years to perfect the process. The result is a hook that is super strong without being brittle, yet another reason the most demanding anglers are choosing Gamakatsu.
