Recently ran low on 3/0 EWG hooks, so I picked up a couple bulk packs of Gamakatsus. For whatever reason, this batch seems to consistently bend out. It's pretty much one fish per hook. I've never had this issue with Gamakatsus before, so this just struck me as odd. Bad batch perhaps? Fishing them on Texas rigs, 7' MH/F St. Croix Avid X with 18lb FC Sniper. Recently changed from 16 to 18 lb, perhaps that's my issue?

whats the model of the hook? I can bend out a few of my gamakatsu hooks with 17lb line

Almost certainly you're using series 58 EWG hooks which are made of standard wire.

That hook is sufficient under most conditions (I seriously doubt a bad batch).

Shank bending can be solved by moving up to a series 74 hook, a Gama EWG 'Superline'

Though I've broken a couple Superline EWGs, I've never seen one bend.

 

Roger

I found it pretty easy to bend out the standard wire EWG gamakatsu. If I buy their worm hooks, it's the superline version for just that reason. 

Bend out on fish, you must fight those fish pretty hard? I'm the fan of lite wire Gammy EWG hook #2 for my drop shot. I can bend those hook with my #14 Izorline or 30lb braid line when snag, but not with my #8 Hybrid line(line broke at knot).

10 hours ago, RoLo said:

Almost certainly you're using 58 series EWGs which are made with standard wire.

Normally that hook is sufficient under most conditions (I seriously doubt a bad batch).

Any shank bending would be solved by moving up to a 74 series hook, which is a Gama EWG Superline

Although I've broken a couple Superline EWGs, I've never seen one bend.

 

Roger

 

There is your answer, I do not use 58 series on anything above 12lb.

 

Allen

Yep I'd switch to Gamakatsu superline hooks. I use the same setup as you, line and all and I use the superline hooks with no problem at all.

Well, looks like I'll be picking up some superlines in the near future. I've never had a standard wire gamakatsu hook bend out, so this experience was kind of a shock. Thanks guys, superlines it is.

Switch to Owner Wide Gap Plus.

14 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Switch to Owner Wide Gap Plus.

 

Huge Fan of that hook ~ 

It's like a Gaff !

A-Jay