Jig Hooks Owner v.s. Gamakatsu

[Corkie Monster]

What seems to be the overall better Jig Hook . Owner or Gamakatsu ?

[Fish_N_Russ]

My jigs have VMC hooks

[sparkleboy]

Russ,
I love those VMC hooks, don't you? I've never had problems with any of my jigs with VMC hooks. Nadda single bent. You?

[Fish_N_Russ]

SB, I always like black finish hooks, they look especially eeeevil :smile:

As for bending one, well no I havent bent one but I havent had the chance yet either, if u know what i mean :grin:

[Twitchs_Tackle]

Haven't had good experiences with VMC octopus hooks, have never tried one of their jig hooks though...rollin' Owners all the way!

[Snapset]

Where would you guys recommend buying jig hooks?

[Crazy Fisherman]

Snapset, first cast jigs sells all the stuff to make your oun jigs.

[rock bottom]

I purchase gamis at fishermans in the 25 pack. They also have owners there as well. I really have no preference but have always used gamis and have never had a problem so I stick with them.

I've never lost a fish due to hook failure since I've started using Owners. Can't say the same for Gamis or Eagle Claw 630 which are the cheapest hooks out there.
You want quality? You have to pay for it!

[Corkie Monster]

I guess my biggest question is ( Jig Hooks ), Will the curved point on the Owner's stick better than the straight point on the Gamakatsu's?

Thanks
CM

[Willow Drifter]

I used to use Gamakatsu hooks for everything. Mark from First Cast turned me on to Owners and I have used them since. They are FANTASTIC HOOKS! Very sharp and very strong.

[blacktail]

My personal preferences:

Jigs - Owner
Trebles - Owner
Singles - Gamakatsu

[C-lice]

Not to minimize the importance of this thread, but "Owner vs. Gamakatsu" as a dilemma? Sounds like "Salma Hayek vs. Halle Berry" to me. You really can't go wrong.

[Mikeymoto]

I think our new sponser Don at Fishermans Shack carrys them. I have also seen them in the Netcraft catalog (gami's)
Mike

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news on the debate here but my buddy Hogback straightened an Owner hook out on one of Mark's jigs 2 weeks ago...

I wanted to take a pic but decided not to because it would serve no purpose...

The funny thing is he was using 8# main & 8" leder (Maxima UG)...

You would have thought the line would have broke first...

I will say the current was moving pretty good that day but just thought I would pass it on...

[DanS]

I agree with C-lice.

They are both good jig hooks. But being jig hooks, they can be bent, and as KHH pointed out, it can be done with relatively light line.

If you use an Owner or Gamakatsu jig hook and a long, limber rod, you'll minimize your risk of bending out hooks.

I've fished both Owner and Gammie jig hooks and wasn't able to gain a strong preference for either one. Like I said, they're both good hooks.

KHH I never said it couldn't happen but in the many fish, both salmon and steelhead, that I have hooked on Owner jig hooks it's never happened to me. I have hooked chinook on the smaller steelhead size jigs and the hook stayed straight. Any fish that is played against a strong current and alot of pressure put on them will bend out any hook so it's a real possibility that it can happen on the best of hooks.
I had fish bend out the Eagle Claws when there was no reason they should have. Lost a big steelhead because of that very thing. I've also had Gamis do the same but only a couple of times so I'll play the percentages and pay the extra for Owners.

[ 01-07-2004, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]

[sparkleboy]

KHH,
Wow, but you know, I bet it has happened to every hook ever made, at some point. I find it hard to believe every hook (the same size, brand, style, etc, etc) are made equal all the time. I think defects are always a risk, and I doubt there is any sure fire way to tell. I straightened out EC 630 jig hooks, well not straightened out, but bent seriously, and beyond further use (I managed to land the fish that did that to the hook, however :smile: ).

[Corkie Monster]

What about the Curved pointed Owners? and the straight pointed Gamakatsu's? Curved or straight, what sticks better on the initial hook set?

Thanks
CM

[ 01-07-2004, 10:46 PM: Message edited by: Corkie Monster ]

[glassblower]

I used to buy Gami's, (cause they were cheaper) not anymore as the failer rate was very high. I will always buy Owners, I have had Owners fail, but it is few and far bettween. I will buy VMC if Owners are not available because they are a great hook (but I prefer the Owners). I will aggree that a long light rod will drasticlay lower the failer rate of any hook though, however you will be more apt not to get a good hookset (due to lack of backbone), that type of rod is not the best choice for faster water (again no backbone), and you will be playing the fish allot longer (no backbone). I have several "noodle rods" and I love them (if the preasure is light) I do not like to hog a hole fighting a fish so I prefer to use a heavyer rod in most places. But this is all just my prefered choice.

[Salmonator]

Single super needle points aren't always more expensive than gamies. They're actually cheaper at Sportsmans in the bulk packs.

[First Bite]

This is one subject I've had a little bit of experience with and I think everyone knows my favorite...Owner all the way.

There are a lot of good jig hooks available and I've tried almost every brand. I fished with the O'Shaunessy style jig hooks for close to ten years before I even tried a Gamakatsu or Owner hook. While they are a strong hook, I've lost more fish due to bent hooks then I can remember, especially Salmon.

Gamakatsu was my favorite for a long time but I still lost some fish due to bent hooks. Mainly using the size 1 & 1/0 hook. They also just couldn't hold Chinook and I lost a lot of fish to bent hooks. They are needle sharp though and overall I liked them very much.

About three years ago a rep where I get my floats from suggested I try the Owner jig hooks. I was very reluctant but agreed to try them. I was so impressed by their holding ability that it simply amazed me. My hook up to catch ratio went to practically 100% and has stayed there. Several of my hard core fishing buddies have the same results. If you get a good hookset the fish is yours. I hook several fish clean through the beak with these hooks every season. I've never had another jig hook do that. As far as strength is concerned I've landed several Chinook over 30#'s using a steelhead hook. KHH you must have got a bad hook. I get responses from customers all the time who have landed chinook while using steelhead jigs.

On the down side, they are probably the most expensive jig hook out there. For that reason most manufactures won't use them. It's simply not cost effective. Like most quality tackle components, you get what you pay foor.

For anybody who talks down Owner jig hooks they either haven't used them or they are protecting their own interests.

Mark

[Thumper]

As Mark knows, I had one Owner jig hook totally fold up like a noodle on a steelhead using 10 pound line. But I think that was a fluke. It's never happened again with jigs or with any other style of Owner.

Most of us who started using Gamakatsus way back in the 70's and 80's had problems with brittleness and breaking. That is ancient history now.

My absolutely worst experience was last year on some pre-tied boondogging set-ups tied on Vision hooks. I had 6 #2 and #4 hooks in a row straighten out using 6 pound Maxima UG. That is kinda unbelievable.

[RichH]

As for the Owner hooks, I have never lost a fish I hooked on one. In addition, a couple of weeks ago I hooked a large fish on a jig close to some very fast current. I use a bit of a meat stick for a jig rod and I have 50# fireline with 20# ultragreen leader. :shocked:

When that fish hit the current he ripped off about 50 yards of line in the blink of an eye. It was a spot where following was not an option so I just tightened the drag down and yarded him up through the current. That fish was 37" long. That hook would have been the weakest link in the whole chain and it did not bend at all. I have confidence in it and figured the worst that would happen would be to bend out the hook. I would not have landed that fish on some of the other hooks out there or using less in the tackle department than what I had.

[Fish_N_Russ]

what are the #s for jig hooks in owner and gami?

[Corkie Monster]

Fish-n-Russ

Are you asking about the popular sizes of jig hooks? If so #1, #1/0, and #2/0 seem to be the most popular sizes for Steelhead. Chinook I beleive it's #3/0, and #4/0.

CM

[Fish_N_Russ]

not what hook size, what model # :smile:

[Ty]

VMC all the way!!! No way I will payover a dallor a jig head for wither of the above mentioned two!

[blacktail]

Ty,

You should be able to build them cheaper than that.

I do my Owner jig heads for about 35 cents each.

Mike

[Corkie Monster]

Fish_N_Russ

Owner needle point Model #5313 For the pro pack Size #1 thru #3/0.

Gamakatsu Size #1/0 60411-25 for the 25 pack.

Owner

Gamakatsu


CM

[float2ber]

For steelhead, 1/0 Owner. I've had large fish bend them a little, but never lost a fish well hooked on an Owner. They are strong and very sharp. Gamis are good, but Owners are the best IMHO.

[Banknit]

I'd like to begin by sayin hello to all you fellow salmonoid junkies! I am new to this forum but have been observing it for the past few weeks and I think you are all a pretty darn good bunch!
Can someone tell me the best jig head mold to buy for building steelie jigs? Thanks a bunch and keep up the awesome Comradery.

[DanS]

The "never lost a fish on Brand X jig" comments have me a little puzzled. How many fish have you guys hooked on these jigs?

[sparkleboy]

DanS,
Actually, when I first started fishing and catching on jigs, I was so surprised at the amount of fish I was not losing. It didn't matter the hook size, brand, or even if I sharped it to the best it could be! If I can remember right, I hooked and landed about 10 steelhead before ever losing one on a jig. I'd have to say that's about the ratio I lost fish on this year: 10 hooked and landed to 1 hooked and lost. Didn't matter what hook I was using. I did have a few bend, and one fold over, but I think they were mainly flukes.

[Reno Reeler]

Wish the VMC's came in red!

[Ty]

blacktail, I was refering to the price of jig heads already poured costing $5 per 4 or 5. I can make mine for around .30-40 cents too with VMC cone-cut.

[Akuracy503]

After using gamakatsu hooks for fall chinook for many seasons, i switched over to the Owner cutting points and have not had a fish spit the hook since!

Gamakatsu are nice, but seem to dull out quickly, Owners just seem smoother slick cut and finish.

[DanS]

I figure 8 or 9 out of ten would be a better than average ratio for jig fishing. I just know I can remember losing fish..........call it a "gift". :grin:

[RichH]

DanS

I have no idea how many fish I hook. I really don't keep good track but to guess I'd say 10-20 in the winter/spring on jigs.

And, I will point out I don't necessarily hook everything that bites. Seems I get a little hypnotized watching that bobber and sometimes recognition can be an issue. :blush: [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Why is it evertime I look away I get bit?

But, of the fish I've hooked with those jigs, they have all been landed. Well, except for some friends that have broken them off.