jig hooks

[madbass]

Do Gamakatsu jig hooks have flat sides (edges) down the length of the wire or is the wire completely round?

[Unagi]

The characteristic that you describe is "forging". This is the process of compressing a material (generally steel) resulting in an increased dimension or thickness to maximize the resistance to bending in a particular plane. Many hooks are forged to reduce the liklihood that the hook will open up either upon the initial hookset or during the fight. Most companies will identify if a particular hook is forged but as you pointed out a forged hook is easily distinguished by the flattened sides of the wire along the length of the hook. As previously mentioned a forged hook is less likely to open up, however this increased strength in one plane identifies the associated inherent weakness resulting from thinner material in the opposite direction.

Please excuse the long winded answer, and more to the point certain Gamakatsu hooks are forged, particularly the saltwater versions but some of the lighter wire jig hooks are not.

Regards,

Paul Shibata

[madbass]

What about the Gamy 614? It is labeled as a light wire hook.

[Unagi]

Madbass,

The Gamakatsu 614, 60degree, flat eye, light wire jig hook is a model that I have not used before and as such I am not certain if it is forged or not. However I have looked at the hook online (Barlow's Heavy jig hook section) as well as a few other sites and it does not appear to be forged. Furthermore as identified this is a light wire hook intended for lighter line situations and would probably be strong enough, particularly since Gamakatsu uses a resaonably high carbon content in their steel.

regards,

Paul Shibata