[PorgyMan]

Wondering if there is a good alternative to the Virginia style hooks. Anyone use Gamakatsu or Owner hooks for blackfishing or other types? If so, what's the preferred style and size of hook in these brands? Thanks in advance.

Apologies if this topic has already been covered.

 

[TJL65]

Gamakatsu Octupus 3/0 or 4/0

look at the post on line for blackfishing for more answers

 

[619627]

PorgyMan....right here you got the biggest scup lover around!

Anyway, the Gamakatsu Octopus hooks from 4/0-7/0 size are now the standard hook used by many of the party boat sharpies, and commercial pinhookers. They can be bought in bulk (available in quantities of a thousand if you use that many of one size hook during a year). Owner makes a excellent hook, but i would save those for striper fishing due to their price.

EC NEWELL MAN*

 

[PorgyMan]

7/0 ??

Yikes...I was thinking more along the lines of 2/0 - 4/0. You really go that much higher for blackfish? What be the ideal hook size for say the Western Sound and then ideal size for Montauk or 17 Fathoms? I'd like to stock up.

 

[619627]

PorgyMan...the pinhookers will use nothing smaller then a 4/0 size gamakatsu hook. You do not want to be fishing for peanut size blackfish. Out on 17 ftm, the standard size hooks are now 5/0-7/0 if you are using one of the Japanese designer hooks. Just pick up a few 6 packs of each size from 4/0-7/0 at a tackle shop or one of the upcoming tackle shows this fall. We are seeing many big fish nowadays in these waters, and its ashame to have a hook spring open. Blackfish will suprise you by the size of the hook they will take. Do not be afraid, to use a bigger then normal sized hook as i mentioned when fishing in the fall.

EC NEWELL MAN*

 

[624005]

Porgyman,
Throw away the Virginias and go Gami's. I prefer to use the the Gami 2/0 baitholders. All the sharpies I know use 'em and I went to them only after trying just about all else. These hooks won't break but might bent a little on a 10-12 pound bruiser.

 

[paulh]

All this talk on rods, reels, hooks, etc. Where you fish is much more important than how. How many limits of tog are you going to catch ?? With blackfishing as good as it is virginias are fine !!! They are very strong, especially in size 3 and above. When I use my hook remover, many other hooks will bend when you give a good yank to get the hook out, not virginia. keep it simple and cheap.

 

[MVPAEC]

PorgyMan,
As you can see from the responses there is no right or wrong answer to your question. As with most types of fishing it comes down to personal preference and budget. I personally am a big fan of the Gamakatsu octopus style hook in sizes of 2/0 - 3/0 for blackfish. It is a great overall hook that can be used for many other types of fishing in our waters. I have caught blackfish up to 12 lbs and have not had one straighten out or break on me yet. (Now that I have said that I am sure it will happen the next time I lay into that double digit size TOG). Even though these hooks are much more expensive then your traditional hooks their sharpness out of the box will help improve your hookup ratio. Luckily I can get my hands on a 100 Gamakatsu 2/0 hooks for $20.00 a big savings over going to your local Sports Authority a spending over $4.00 for eight hooks of this size. Hope this helps.

 

[togmaster]

Capt HOOK

Well this is a good topic but like it was said before it is all a prefernce. What ever rocks your socks. I still fish 4011e's and am stubron. I won't change. The only problem with the 4011e's is you have to dull the point down then re sharpen them or the pints tend to break. I find the points to dull very quickly. I also used some Gama 4/0's Ec left on the boat last week and dulled them out also.(See Ec thought I wasn't going to try it)? Honestly I like the 4011'e better still! I like the way they sit in the bait as well as much easier to unhook the fish.So my motto is what ever gets them in the boat is what you should use. Try them all till you see which one works best for you?

 

[paulh]

togmaster is on the money (and i agree), for those who don't know 4011e is a virginia hook, with downturned eye. #5 small fish, fiddlers, bay, etc. #4 , the old standby, most of the time, #3 "larger fish". these are tough, cheap, obtainable, "removable", strong, etc, even corrosion resistant, what's not to like ??