Photos I took through a microscope 8 years ago. The surgical needle was for reference.

Definitely a shoutout for VMC, these trebles on my Rapala shallow shad are sticky

I’ve pretty much used them all over the years. Any of the quality coated hooks are great. It’s more about the intended purpose and sizing it correctly to the bait. That said I buy gamakatsu and owner mostly.

Owner Twistlock Light wire for almost all Texas rigs.

@Pat Brown will you recommend the hook sharpening tool you use, and will it work with circle hooks

Razors Edge Guide. Not sure if it's still in production. It's a turret style sharpener and does a fantastic job once you get the hang of the setup.

In regards to fishing in general, I don't think there's one hook manufacturer that "has it all". Different companies have different hooks that suit some applications better than others. Worm fishing, I'll use Gamakatsu, Decoy depending on the specific technique. I do like the Owner light wire mosquito hook for wacky or Neko rigging Senko's, probably my favorite hook for that, actually.

Large soft swimbaits, most of the time I use Owner for my "stinger" rigs and Gamakatsu for my main hook on line through style baits.

Topwater baits, I use a combo of Owner and Gamakatsu.

Jerks and cranks, most of the time, straight Gamakatsu.

Big Glides, Gamakatsu.

Big topwater baits, most of the time, Owner.

As far as what I build, I use Gamakatsu in everything.

I like the Trokar from the standpoint of penetration but I have had a couple of times where the hole from the hook was surprisingly large.

FishUSA

Eze-Lap Diamond Hook Sharpener

The Eze-Lap Diamond Hook Sharpener is perfect for touching up hook points while on the water. Available at FishUSA- America's Tackle Shop!

https://www.basspro.com/p/bass-pro-shops-hook-hone?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=BPS%7CShopping%7CPMax%7CProprietary%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CGoogle%7CNMT&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19584928290&gbraid=0AAAAAD1TgtcOFXFbcE1sKQKZcF2vpQbw0&gclid=CjwKCAiAqprNBhB6EiwAMe3yhsJvwmajSkiCHYzhG5HN2AJFibuzY4eCvmmgu9o_wNQAPxWa0fyxohoCGiAQAvD_BwE

Used both of these ones and like them both. The pen one I think l liked a little better for how easy it was to do hooks with the smaller sharpening surface.

The bigger surface ones work too but you can over sharpen it (take the point off by accident more easily) and the angles become more precarious the bigger the sharpener is.

Gama, Owner, VMC are what I use for most applications. Owner Haymaker is probably my favorite hook to use as it's replaced pretty much all my EWG hooks.

On 3/2/2026 at 12:50 PM, Harold H said:

This is what Im talking about with the ewg's, how the point extends past the eye and doesnt line up with it. Most ewg's are like kahle hooks, and I think that can cause missed hook sets. But I know a lot of people swear by them. I'll have to give these a try

These can be harder to find, but they are my favorite hooks for a 6 in senko or for a weightless fluke.

I use VMC Redline or Berkley Fusion 19