flatsrat76 Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Has anybody use TroKar hooks? if so are they really worth the price???? TK140 swimbait hook (5) 4/0 for 9.99 TK110 EWG Worm Hooks (6) 4/0 for 9.99 I think I will stay with the gama's Flatsrat76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 (edited) Ok I'm in the mood to start a debate. I'm sure this will be a good one. First of all I will say they have an excellent video and a marketing strategy. Now I will say that unless those hooks are going to guarantee me the next world record bass, they can keep those hooks. Mind you I have not tried them nor used them (so my comments may be full of S$$T) and that is fine. But when will this all end. $2, $3, $4 hooks, gold plated for extra corrosion, some supernatural metal that will stay sharp forever, never bend, never break, never needs sharpening, guaranteed to hook the fish in the top of the mouth and never break free! What next? No offense to them if they can sell $2 hooks good for them, but I will bet you don't see them around for too long. Just my opinion. Now that I've vented I'm Edited February 11, 2010 by cadman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuzzyGrub Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Has anybody use TroKar hooks? if so are they really worth the price???? TK140 swimbait hook (5) 4/0 for 9.99 TK110 EWG Worm Hooks (6) 4/0 for 9.99 I think I will stay with the gama's Flatsrat76 All the press I've seen has just been about the high price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motomania Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 I've read from guys who have used them that they are scary sharp; but one fish, one snag, bump on a rock; and that surgically sharp tip is gone! Can't be sharpened back either. - I agree, the price for those things is ridiculous! I don't understand how the market can support those prices? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatsrat76 Posted February 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Maybe if they were made in Japan and hand forged by Ninjas I would buy a pack for 9.99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Maybe if they were made in Japan and hand forged by Ninjas I would buy a pack for 9.99 Ok, I'll meet you half way. If they were made by ninjas, I would buy them, but I would like to see how they are made, and I would like to see two ninjas fight hand in hand combat in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatsrat76 Posted February 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Ok, I'll meet you half way. If they were made by ninjas, I would buy them, but I would like to see how they are made, and I would like to see two ninjas fight hand in hand combat in person. YES armed with TroKar hooks and the winner gets his $9.99 back LOVE IT .......it could be a new ad campaign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatsrat76 Posted February 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 YES armed with TroKar hooks and the winner gets his $9.99 back LOVE IT .......it could be a new ad campaign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buggs man Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Being good friends with Gerald Swindle I have been blessed with over 50 packs of lazer trokar hooks for painting some crankbaits I have used the flipping hooks to some extent. I like the sharpness, I buried one past the barb into my thumb. other than being super sharp they are not anything different than Reaction Innovations BMF (my Favorite)or Gamakatsu straight shank superline (2nd favorite). as far as their other models the swimbait seems to be too sharp and would cut thru the top of the bait the EWG models I am afraid to use them around cover I dont want to lose them the round bend and dropshot hooks are still banded up I have yet to find a use for them. I have only fished at Okeechobee since the Dec. COLD SNAP and here in VA we have lots of SNOW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganns Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Cadman....... Oh yeah, the power of a great marketing plan... Cool Video....... Very large payroll for the faces endorsing the product, ( I would assume). $9.99 a pack, I had to get one of each of a couple styles just to see for myself ( yep, one born every minute). They are very sharp out of the package, pretty good sized barb ( one of the least understood or examined aspects of a hook imho), and seemed to dull or tip roll just like all the others hooks I have put in the water. Saw a video done by a fella to test the initial puncture effort between a couple three different brands, can't remember all manufacturer's but, Gamakatsu was one of em. His rudimentary test did in fact show the Trokar out performing the others, but the others also performed the intended task, so........... Here is what I think this has done, and I am always looking for better performing products as most of us are.......... If they prove to be a marketing success and they can move enough product at these ridiculous prices, they will signal the other major manufacturer's the market will bear a larger increase in prices than they currently have imposed. I currently use only Gamakatsu in all of my products, this for the brand recognition and my perceived performance standard,and the cost is something I am acutely aware of. This year alone a 15% increase?, I am not sure what other brands kicked it, but I do know it isn't exactly a great time to raise my prices, so I am absorbing the increase and looking at even less money per bait profit. Flatsrat76, great pic, wish I could have seen the landing . Yes a cage match between ninja's armed with each major brand, forged by their own hands into the dreaded throwing stars and blowgun darts. You were right Cadman, I do feel better Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 (edited) Hey flatsrat If you are going to market your own hooks, I think a better pic of a ninja would probably sell better. This guy doesn't look like a cunning, hook wielding ninja to me. Also I find it hard to believe that this guy can jump that high and kick with his slightly large body type. Cadman....... Oh yeah, the power of a great marketing plan... Cool Video....... Very large payroll for the faces endorsing the product, ( I would assume). $9.99 a pack, I had to get one of each of a couple styles just to see for myself ( yep, one born every minute). They are very sharp out of the package, pretty good sized barb ( one of the least understood or examined aspects of a hook imho), and seemed to dull or tip roll just like all the others hooks I have put in the water. Saw a video done by a fella to test the initial puncture effort between a couple three different brands, can't remember all manufacturer's but, Gamakatsu was one of em. His rudimentary test did in fact show the Trokar out performing the others, but the others also performed the intended task, so........... Here is what I think this has done, and I am always looking for better performing products as most of us are.......... If they prove to be a marketing success and they can move enough product at these ridiculous prices, they will signal the other major manufacturer's the market will bear a larger increase in prices than they currently have imposed. I currently use only Gamakatsu in all of my products, this for the brand recognition and my perceived performance standard,and the cost is something I am acutely aware of. This year alone a 15% increase?, I am not sure what other brands kicked it, but I do know it isn't exactly a great time to raise my prices, so I am absorbing the increase and looking at even less money per bait profit. Flatsrat76, great pic, wish I could have seen the landing . Yes a cage match between ninja's armed with each major brand, forged by their own hands into the dreaded throwing stars and blowgun darts. You were right Cadman, I do feel better Mark Mark I understand where you are coming from and I understand that everyone is looking for the ultimate, bait, hook, crankbait or whatever. But like you stated what this could do is drive the prices up of all the other hook manufacturers. I have guys that love Gami's, some have no problem paying the price, many shy away. When you add 30 to 40 cents to a jig for a hook, many guys will not buy it. If you start adding 70-80 cents to a jig for a hook you won't be selling many, even if you associate it with a brand name hook. So like many custom jig makers, they stick with a good average bread and butter hook. Mustad. I have never had anyone complain about bad Mustad hooks especially their Ultra-Points. Granted they are not Gami's, but then again they are not priced like Gami's. Also Gami does not work with a lot of mold companies currently to promote their hooks fitting std. molds. So almost every mold that guys have, have to modify it to make a Gami work. Although this is fine, it is expensive to modify molds as well. It will be interesting to see what the future holds. Edited February 12, 2010 by cadman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatsrat76 Posted February 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Hey flatsrat If you are going to market your own hooks, I think a better pic of a ninja would probably sell better. This guy doesn't look like a cunning, hook wielding ninja to me. Also I find it hard to believe that this guy can jump that high and kick with his slightly large body type. Mark I understand where you are coming from and I understand that everyone is looking for the ultimate, bait, hook, crankbait or whatever. But like you stated what this could do is drive the prices up of all the other hook manufacturers. I have guys that love Gami's, some have no problem paying the price, many shy away. When you add 30 to 40 cents to a jig for a hook, many guys will not buy it. If you start adding 70-80 cents to a jig for a hook you won't be selling many, even if you associate it with a brand name hook. So like many custom jig makers, they stick with a good average bread and butter hook. Mustad. I have never had anyone complain about bad Mustad hooks especially their Ultra-Points. Granted they are not Gami's, but then again they are not priced like Gami's. Also Gami does not work with a lot of mold companies currently to promote their hooks fitting std. molds. So almost every mold that guys have, have to modify it to make a Gami work. Although this is fine, it is expensive to modify molds as well. It will be interesting to see what the future holds. Cadman He's a new hybrid sloth ninja but I'm with you on the Mustad /Gama hooks. Flatsrat76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 I guess I have to add my 2 cents into this... I see a lot of major manufacturers using Mustad or Gammys, not too many use Owners even though they make a good hook but in my opion, the Mustad ultra points can't be beat for the price, they are sharp, the point doesn't get as dull as the Gammy does after snagging a limb, log or hitting a rock, and the don't tear giant holes in the fishes' mouth! The reason some people don't care for them is price, plain and simple and I've proved that, I had several friends thank me for baits that I gave them because if it wasn't for the Gamakatsu hook they would have lost a big fish well guess what? They were using the Mustads and never knew the difference! Trokar will do well because its how the industry is geared, I never though Lucky Craft had a chance with the price of their crankbaits but they seem to keep on going and now Rapala is folloowing suit as most of their baits are in the 9 and 10 dollar range and the new Max Rap is 18 bucks!!! When will it end! What scares me is that if Trokar does real well at their price point other manufacturers will follow suit but it all dependson how much of the market they are content with having. Lucky Craft is doing well but they don't have near the sales that Bandit does but they are content with that small piece, the same can be said for others but since there are other really great hooks on the market I'm sure they will have to drop their price or be content with a very small percentage of the market, the enthusiast crowd will get them because for that crowd its all about equipment, not so much the fish but as we've seen and are currently witnessing, the lure manufacturers are slowly but surely going the route of Lucky Craft and if hooks continuely keep getting "better" with higher prices, others will follow but for now they are just too expensive for most to even consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridanative Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 I like VMC hooks for my jigs. Decent price as well as the brand recognition of Rapala. I think I may have actually got my VMC's for cheaper than my Ultra Points but I can't remember. If it wasn't, it would have been damn close without the %10 excise tax from Hagens FloridaNative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
