How do Owner hooks compare with Gamakatsku?

[sturg]

I hear many ifishers use owner hooks and wonder how do they hold up versus Gamakatsku hooks. I haven't used the Owner hooks yet but bought some the other day. The thing that kept me using Gamakatsku is that they stay sharp even when they get stuck to stumps and rocks.

[Pilar]

There's a big difference in price as well. Gammies are my first choice for Sturgeon and Salmon. The Owners are quality hooks and you have to pay more for them. Gammies are really sharp but usually aren't worth sharpening .. so use a new one.

[finclipped]

Owners are great hooks. They are the sharpest, I have ever used and the most expensive. The edge holds up fairly well, which is a good thing because I have found it impossible to put a edge on them with a file. The Gammie's are a great hook too, and I can usually sharpen them at least once when they get dull. Owners are made of a very strong steel and will not bend as easily as a Gammie. I really think it comes down to whether you want to shell out the extra cash. They are a better hook.

[Tanner]

Owners jig hooks are top notch. Couldn't tell ya about gammies cause I don't use them. I like a hook I can sharpen. I am a VMC cone cut man.

[drifter]

I started with Gamo. Went to Mustad Pro Select. Now with Owner, especially the "Cutting Point." I agree with all the above, more expensive, stronger, can be sharpened more than once. But, what has sold me is how well they penetrate. It's amazing how many of these hooks I have seen go all the way through!

I still would like some advise about the best and cheapest place to buy Owner cutting point, red, #1, in bulk. Good fishing, Drifter.

[kingofbacklash]

sturg,
IMO the owners hooks are better, as Pilar pointed out they do cost more. I've used both hooks still do.I too have found once these hooks become dulled it's best to replace them versus sharping them.
A fishing buddy of mine thinks he has lost more fish using the owner hooks because he feels he doesn't get as good of hook set with them. I have always set the hook with great force, so far I haven't seemed to have the same problem.
As far as how do the owners hold up versus gammies, to me it's a toss-up. It comes down to how much money do I want to spend that day on hooks.

God Bless

fearsnofish

[Alligator]

Sturg,

This is my second year using Owner hooks. I like the hooks and continue using them for Salmon and Steelhead.

But!!!

Last year I only lost 1 Steelhead, once hooked well. This year I have lost 6 steelies that were set well, and should not have been lost, in the first week of the year. I checked my hooks and found that some of my Owner hooks had barbs that were flattened or very short. I now check the barb as well as the line each time I snag the bottom to be sure all is well.

Guys, when drift fishing and you snag the bottom check the line at your weight and at your hook for rough spots caused by draging on rocks. You will save loosing fish. Don't be lazy if the line is rough replace it!!!! Unless you don't like cleaning fish, that is. :smile:

my few cents!
les

[Kenia]

Nothing will go thru your finger faster than an owner hook!

[Artwo]

I used the Gammi hooks this year for the first time and found them to be very sharp and reliable. But, I have always been a VMC user and feel I can get more drifting life out of the VMC than the Gammi as far as staying sharp or having to be re-sharpen. The VMC will take a new point better than the Gammi in my opinion. I also have never had a strength problem with the VMC as well. Us VMC users have to stick (no pun intended) together, right Tanner.

Alligator,
I learned your lesson about nicks in your leader the hard way last Saturday. I noticed a small abrasion on my leader up near the swivel and didn't change it out, two casts later it was fish on, 15 seconds later it was fis off. The leader broke right where I had noticed the abrasion. Moral of the story, take the time to fix if needed.

JK

[Thumper]

VMC trebles (easy to sharpen needle-sharp with a flat stone, two 120-degree hook edges with each pass) and Gammi single hooks. No complaints. Never tried Owners.

[Tanner]

Long live VMC. :grin: They make good trebles too, but as far as I am concerned, the best treble on the market is Mustad Triple Grips. I just wish they made them in bigger sizes.

[BigSpinner]

I fish with owner hooks they are great. but some times I dont have the money so I will go with VMC.
They are also great hooks.

Jeremy,

[Salmonator]

I have found owner super needle points in bulk packs at GI Joes. Less than 10 bucks for a 46 pack of #1's if I remember right. This I believe is actually cheaper than gammies. I would also be very interested in finding these hooks in red as all the ones at Joes are black...

[blacktail]

I'd be curious to know the diference, if any between the Owner "cutting points" and the Owner "needle points". Anyone out there know for sure?

Mike

[Salmonator]

I've found the needle points to be similar to a gammie. The cutting points will stick you if you get within 10 feet of them. They are spendy however. I use cutting points for two things: bobber fishing chinook and sturgeon fishing. You don't loose many hooks doing either so it doesn't become so spendy... Joe

[Fishin Magician]

Salmonator hit the nail on the head........Gammis for drift fishing and owners for almost everything else.

[omnivore]

I don't mean to change the subject, but...
I've been using Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp or Mustad hooks when I drift fish because they're thriftier than the Owner or Gammis. I lose so many rigs so I cannot see using those other spendy hooks. Am I being pennywise and steelhead foolish? Be easy...

[blacktail]

I tried Eagle Claw lazer sharps about 8 years ago. I don't know if they are the same now as back then, but I didn't like them at all.

Seemed like they were made out of super soft steel as the points would get bent and dull very easily. Even when sharp, I had poor hookup to landing ratios.

Since then, I went to Gamakatsu and never looked back. However, I'm hearing a lot of good things about Owners and will probably give them a try when I run low on Gammies.

Mike

[Perfect Drift]

Use less lead.

[Uncle Bob]

omni,
Atleast you're honest
The thing is, you'll loose a fish for not spending that extra .05 cents :depressed:
I find using slinkies helps me not brake off as often.

For the price you can't go wrong with the Gamakatsu.

UB

[ 02-06-2002, 10:13 PM: Message edited by: Uncle Bob ]

[TideRunner]

I've found the Owner cutting points to be awesome, as most have stated. The price is hard to swallow. When drift fishing, I always have some leaders tied up with Mustads or Gammies that I use in new water or known snaggy water or slower water. Once I know a drift to be snag free or pretty consistant, I tie on an Owner. They also hold there sharpness much longer than anything else I've tried. I use them when I won't keep losing them.

[First Bite]

For jig hooks by far my favorite is Owner. They are super strong and needle sharp right out of the box. I used Gamakatsu jig hooks for years and loved them until I tried Owner. They just simply keep the fish hooked better then anything else I've tried.

For drift fishing I used VMC and loved them I now use Owners because I like the cutting point edge.

Mark

[FISHRUS]

I agree with Mark about Owner hooks. Plus I also use the cutting point edge too! :wink: