Choosing hooks for fishing is not at all difficult

About the problems that modern fishing hooks pose, is it worth saving on them, what disadvantages do they have and how to deal with it.

Some people are convinced that it is stupid to save on hooks, keeping in mind that this is the cheapest, but also the most important element of fishing equipment. Some people, on the contrary, do not see the point in expensive hooks when much cheaper models do their job well. And where is the truth? Let's try to understand this controversial topic.

① Otter Brother

Rating: 4.8 Price: 18.39 rub.
Go to the store This is a set of fishing hooks, which includes 30 products of the same type: hooks with a ring-shaped head, a straight shank and a round hook. The sting has one barb, slightly deflected to the side, this ensures reliable hooking and retention of caught prey.

Manufacturers recommend using the hooks included in the set for sea fishing from a boat. They can be used no less successfully when fishing in freshwater lakes and rivers from boats or from the shore.

Advantages:

• material (high carbon steel) ensures high strength of the hooks;
• Manufacturers offer hooks for the prey itself in different sizes.

Flaws:

• hooks are sold only in sets of 30 pieces;
• The delivery set does not include a case (hard box) for storage.

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Offset hooks Owner

Owner offset hooks do not need advertising. Perhaps this is the most promoted brand among fishing hooks. Although, of course, Owner offsets are some of the highest quality on the market. Made in Japan.

The high authority of branded products in the spinning world is associated with its unsurpassed performance parameters: sharp tip, high strength, durability. Owner offsets are produced on modern innovative equipment. For each individual line of offsets, in accordance with the nature of the tasks being solved, the optimal material is selected. The tip sharpening option is determined by the modification of the offset. Models for all types of equipment and silicone baits are available for sale.

Defective offset presses from Owner are rare, but the cost of a pack is very high. Not everyone can afford it. It is worth noting another significant drawback of Owner - the huge number of fakes, which are becoming more and more common. Their quality is an order of magnitude worse than that of the original.

② Ancher SVA031759

Rating: 4.8 Price: from 61.08 rub.
up to
61.73 rub.
Go to the store The set includes 10 hooks of the same type. There are four sizes of hooks to choose from. The main feature of this model’s gear is the spring attached to the fore-end. Its job is to keep the bait on the hook. In addition to bait, the spring is suitable for throwing lumps of fish bait.

The hooks have no other design features. The forend is straight, relatively short, and ends with a loop head. Prying round.

Advantages:

• the hooks are capable of holding soft bait for a long time; for this purpose, a spring is located on the fore-end;
• High carbon steel ensures the strength of the hooks.

Flaws:

• the number of hooks you can buy is a multiple of 10;
• the manufacturer offers only 4 sizes of hooks;
• The package does not include a storage case.

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...only the best hooks!

Now, if all manufacturers reached the fishing opinion that, they say, let’s put only the best hooks on all baits, we are ready to overpay, then everything would instantly change, production would be restructured. In the meantime, everything is as it is. The best hooks are placed only on expensive baits. Or handicraft decoys. They periodically order large turntables with a reinforced forged tee from me for trips to Kamchatka. Because an ordinary tee, albeit a large one, on the fifth “mepps” even a 3-kilogram coho salmon can easily unbend, not to mention larger specimens.

Some experienced spinning players, who have their own views on the concept of “the best hook,” prefer to buy the same wobblers that are not equipped with hooks at all. Individual manufacturers, mostly small-scale ones, respond to this demand, inviting the fisherman to make his own choice of hook. And this is a much better option compared to buying a good bait with mediocre hooks that you don’t dare throw away, buying better ones.

What can we say about low-quality baits, which often have completely defective hooks. Or the same concocted “new items”, some kind of spinning jokes in the form of non-standard designs, which are heavily advertised, and for a short period they sell well, because it is unusual, but how it catches fish, what kind of hooks are there - that’s the tenth thing. And this doesn’t only apply to spinning. For example, I saw a Chinese-made bottom lure called “Death to crucian carp” with microsmoktukhs - a funny, cool equipment, with a characteristic name, this is what attracts attention, and it doesn’t matter that there are no hooks there. The main thing is that the unusualness is advertised, it works much more than some banal hooks.
Well, those of the hardened donochniks who came up with this Slavic “Death to crucian carp” knit it themselves, using impeccable hooks.

③Donql

Rating: 4.9 Price: from 47.94 rub.
up to
137.25 rub.
Go to the store The set includes 50 products of the same model. There is a choice of any variety from small to large.

Hooks have no design features. The forend is straight, the head is a ring, hooked round, the sting is deviated from the vertical into the hook, but only slightly.

The manufacturer believes that the hooks are best suited for fishing at sea, from a boat.

Advantages:

• durable hooks made of high carbon steel;
• hooks are available in a wide range of sizes;
• The set comes in a hard plastic box;

Flaws:

• You can purchase at least 50 hooks.

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Gamakatsu offset hooks

Gamakatsu offset presses are distinguished by the highest quality workmanship. Among the main advantages: durability and sharpness of the sting. According to some anglers, they hold their edge no worse than Owner offsets. The number of gatherings is minimal. In addition, they are perfectly retained in silicone baits.

But what is most pleasing is the presence of a huge number of models of offset hooks produced under the Gamakatsu brand. For each type of bait there is an optimal offset machine. They differ in the shape of the step, the length of the forend and the depth of the bend. The range of sizes is also extensive, in which it is possible to choose an offset for catching “palm” perches and for hunting trophy pike.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting their relative high cost and small quantity per pack. The few negative reviews are based primarily on their weak strength.

④Thkfish

Rating: 4.8 Price: 327.70 rub.
Go to the store This is a set of 500 carp hooks of various sizes. They are suitable for fishing in the sea, freshwater rivers and lakes. The material from which the hooks are made is not subject to corrosion.

The set comes in a plastic box. There are 10 compartments under a tightly closing lid. Each compartment contains hooks of a certain type.

Advantages:

• durable hooks made of carbon steel;
• The delivery includes hooks of 10 sizes;
• The set comes in a durable box with separate compartments.

Flaws:

• There are a lot of hooks in the set; smaller quantities are not supplied.

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Ovner hook manufacturing technology

The Japanese are a scrupulous and scrupulous people, and only thanks to these qualities they achieved the creation of fishing hooks of the highest quality, designed for each type of fish.

Before starting production, the company's employees conducted scientific research, in which they were assisted by scientists from a research laboratory studying fish.

Let's celebrate! Each fish has a certain structure, weight and shape of the oral cavity, and taking into account all these factors, Ovner specialists began to produce fishing hooks.

Thanks to innovative technologies, Ovner uses only the highest quality steel alloy to produce hooks. And this is a distinctive feature of the products of this company, which helps to inspire the confidence of fishing buyers to this day.

Also an important criterion is the thickness of the hooks themselves. Other manufacturers increase strength by thickening the diameter, but the Ovner company achieves strengthening not by thickening, but by introducing special innovative components into the steel alloy that add strength to the hooks without increasing the diameter.

Types of coatings

The types of hook coatings of this brand have distinctive features, depending on:

• series type;
• color design;
• design features.

Ovner brand hooks are coated in a variety of colors. It is this feature that helps anglers understand how durable this fishing device will be.

Distinctive features of the type of coating:

1. Matte black/black chrome (BLACK/BLACKC HROME). Inspires the greatest confidence in anglers, has an anti-reflective effect with an increased level of strength and anti-corrosion treatment.
2. Gold/oxidizing gold (GOLD/OXIDIZE GOLD). Brilliant or dull yellow color range for universal use.
3. Tin (TIN). Vaguely reminiscent of the color of dark silver without shine, tinned coating.
4. White/white oxidizing (WHITE/OXIDIZE WHITE). The high-gloss white finish is achieved by adding nickel to the alloy.
5. Brown (BROWN). Alloy with added bronzer.

The following color ranges of coatings are innovative and have not yet received due popularity in our country:

• light purple (LIGHT PURPLE);
• green forest (FOREST GREEN);
• wood brown (WOODY-BROWN);
• red (RED);
• blue (BLUE).

With a huge range of products, each unit has its own name and a specific digital code. It doesn’t make much sense to describe in detail each of the huge assortment (more than two hundred items).

Model encoding includes:

• series title;
• type of hook;
• applied color coating;
• What kind of fish can it be used for catching?

More detailed information about encoding can be found in the specialized catalog, which should be provided by all reputable companies involved in the sale of this brand.

The range of Ovner brand hooks includes small and large models and a special measure for measuring the size of hooks has been developed for them:

• in small models, the largest number will correspond to the smallest size;
• in large models the numeric numbering is only fractional and the largest number will indicate the smallest size.

Like many of any particularly popular products, the products of the Ovner brand are subject to plagiarism. And when buying hooks, you can run into fakes.

In order to avoid this annoying misunderstanding, you should remember the most important distinctive features of the information applied to branded packaging with hooks:

• On the back of the package, above the barcode, the model range and hook size must be indicated. Identical numbering must be applied to the front side of the package;
• The company's production facilities are located not only in Japan itself, but also have subsidiaries in China and the Philippines. Based on this information, on the original packaging in the lower right corner of the back of the package it will be written: “Product of Japan” (if made in Japan). On packs produced by subsidiaries, the information only looks like this: “Materials from Japan. Made in Philippines/China" (the country will only be indicated in which the hooks were made;
• odd numbering of hooks, produced by the Ovner company, exists, but is extremely rare (specialized products produced in small batches);
• on the lower right corner of the front side of the package the number of hooks in this pack is indicated;
• the information indicated on the front side must clearly coincide with the information in the official catalog or website of the Ovner company (name, code, color scheme, size);
• compliance of the information on the packaging with its internal contents;
• the cost of the cheapest hook of this brand cannot be less than one hundred rubles.

Read more: The best eau de toilette for men rating 2021 top 9

Note! If all of the above parameters are consistent, then we can say with confidence that the fisherman has branded products in his hands, and not a copy of them.

Vasily N., Smolensk

Sergey, Bryansk

Kirill, Smolensk

Artem, Sovetsky

Ratibor, Volodarsk

Note! Based on the description and reviews from fishermen, we can say with confidence that at least one of the Ovner brand hooks should be in the arsenal of any self-respecting fisherman.

⑤Donql 300

Rating: 4.9 Price: from 0.66 rub.
up to
77.49 rub.
Go to the store This set consists of 300 hooks of various sizes. They have a classic shape: a ringed head, a straight fore-end, a rounded hook, a sharp sting with a pronounced beard. Thanks to the material, the hooks do not corrode even after prolonged use in sea water.

Advantages:

• the hooks are durable and do not corrode;
• supplied in 8 standard sizes;
• The set comes in a transparent box with compartments.

Flaws:

• 300 hooks is the minimum supply.

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Fanatik offset hooks

Offsets Fanatic are inexpensive hooks produced in Korea under the Ukrainian brand. The alliance with the Koreans made it possible to make offset machines high-quality and reliable. This became possible thanks to the serious approach of the manufacturer and the availability of advanced technologies. Offset presses are made from good high-carbon steel and undergo anti-corrosion treatment and chemical sharpening during the production process.

Fanatik offset hooks have many advantages: a sharp sting, the presence of a large eye and a step that holds the bait; the hooks do not break or unbend. But the main advantage of the Fanatic is its price with decent performance characteristics. It is also worth noting the fact that there are no fakes of the Fanatic, unlike the expensive Owner. It is simply not economically profitable to counterfeit them; in addition, there is a barcode on the package that helps determine the authenticity of the product.

The model range is not very diverse, however, there is plenty to choose from. In addition to their sizes, hooks differ in the thickness of the wire.

It makes no sense to talk about the disadvantages of offsets with such a ridiculous price. In terms of price-quality ratio, they are certainly leaders in the ranking of offset hooks.

⑥Donql 100

Rating: 4.8 Price: from 47.94 rub.
up to
93.91 rub.
Go to the store The set includes 100 products of the same type. These fishing gear have a rounded hook, the fore-end is straight, short, and ends with a ring-shaped head. Manufacturers recommend hooks for sea fishing. The material and coating of the product confidently resist corrosion. The sting does not lose its sharpness after repeated use of the hook.

Advantages:

• hooks made of high carbon steel, durable, not subject to corrosion;
• The set comes in a hard, clear plastic box.

Flaws:

• The set includes hooks of the same type;
• You can purchase at least 100 hooks.

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⑦ Lixada

Rating: 4.8 Price: 65.02 rub.
Go to the store This is a set of 10 fishing gear of the same type. The manufacturer offers hooks of different sizes, with a width from 4.05 mm to 14.5 mm. The head of the hooks is made in the shape of a spatula. To better hold the fishing line on the hook, grooves are applied on the upper part of the fore-end.

The products are made of tungsten alloy. During manufacture, they are coated. As a result, the entire hook is black, but the upper part of the shank and the sting are yellow. A yellow (golden) coating protects the elements (forend and tip) from corrosion.

Advantages:

• hooks made of tungsten alloy, do not corrode, do not lose their sharpness;
• The set comes in a hard plastic box.

Flaws:

• The set includes hooks of the same model.

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Offsets

So, the first part - I'll start with offsets.

I noticed that somehow strangely my understanding of equipping rubber with hooks occurs. I can catch one season only with offsets - during a long winter I try to equip all the baits at once, and then I don’t remember about it during the season. And next season, for some reason, I equip everything I have with single hooks, almost without remembering about offsets. This is what happened this time too - there are almost no baits on offsets in the packs. But nevertheless, you always have several packs of different sizes and shapes with you - just in case!

Kosadaka B-SOI. Sizes 2 - 4 - 8

I bought offsets at the beginning of last year, and still have a few packs left. Many will say that Kosadaki’s second number is equivalent to the number 1/0 of other manufacturers! Yes, for some reason they have an incomprehensible and their own size numbering system. Therefore, for a pure microjig it is better to take size 8 or choose another manufacturer.

The offsets themselves, made from medium-thick wire, spring well. The step near the ring is also average - pay attention to the thickness of the head of the bait - so that it and the size of the step approximately coincide. Otherwise, equipment problems may occur. The hooks are quite good in terms of sharpness, but there is nothing phenomenal about them. They get dull on stones and other things quite quickly - but due to the low cost, replacing one offset with a second, sharp one is no problem. The fish are not kept well, and sometimes fish accidents occur. Therefore, I would recommend them either in cases where there is no money at all, or if you are not at competitions where every “tail” caught can bring victory.

Sasame Wide Gap Offset. Size 4

I somehow grabbed these offsets from the store for lack of anything else. The packaging is definitely cool - inside there is a wire bent into a triangle, on which all the hooks are attached. Nothing gets lost, doesn’t fly out of the pack, etc. - I took it all out together, pulled one offset off the wire, and put the rest back.

Pay attention to the name - Wide Gap. For these hooks, the step is located below the hook tip, which allows you to use thick-shaped baits with this offset - for example, twisters or Fat series slugs. The wire used is thinner than on Kosadaka and in general gives the impression of a more solid product. In terms of sharpness, they do not penetrate the skin instantly, but they cut through the fish with a bang, and there is practically no chance of escape. If you find it somewhere at an adequate price that suits you, you can safely take it.

Decoy SS Finesse Offset Hook. Worm Series 19. Size 6

Hooks are about the same price category as above. Unfortunately, the store did not have the same sizes, so it is not yet possible to compare them head-on. The name of the series again hints at the use of these offsets with Worm-type lures. The overall size is smaller than the Sasame Wide Gap, but the tip is also located above the step. Personally, I equip such baits as Reins G-Tail Saturn, Aiko Puppet, Tict Brilliant with this pair of offsets. The wire is the same as that of Sasame - in general, I think the hooks are very similar and in the coming season it will be necessary to compare them head-on with the same sizes

⑧Donql 50

Rating: 4.9 Price: from 65.02 rub.
up to
327.70 rub.
Go to the store The hooks from this set have an elongated straight shank with 2 hooks (barbs). Live bait, such as a worm, will not slip off the hook thanks to these hooks. Prying the rounded one, the sting is tilted inward, looking at the ring-head.

The set includes 50 items of the same type. The buyer can choose one of 21 models. Each model is characterized by dimensions, which can be checked with the manufacturer.

Advantages:

• hooks with additional hooks on the fore-end;
• large selection of sizes (21 models);
• supplied in a transparent box suitable for long-term storage.

Flaws:

• The set includes only 1 standard size (model).

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⑨ Fishinapot 92247

Rating: 4.8 Price: from 58.45 rub.
up to
80.78 rub.
Go to the store The hooks included in the set are equipped with a ring head, a straight elongated fore-end with two hooks (barbs), and a round hook. The main purpose of the hook is to catch a worm.

Advantages:

• durable hooks made of high carbon steel;
• equipped with additional hooks for bait on the fore-end;
• are not subject to corrosion in sea water.

Flaws:

• supplied without storage box;
• You can purchase at least 50 hooks of the same type.

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Hook color

The color of the hooks is only important when fishing in clear water. You should not use colors that contrast with the background of the bait.

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Hook color	Where to use
Red Blue	With bright baits, such as bloodworms
Gold or silver	When fishing with light-colored bait, such as maggots, cereals
Black	When fishing in areas with a dark bottom