I've had four Gamataksu 2/0 EWG worm hooks break in the last two weeks. This is a pity because I love that size. I'm going to revert to 3/) hooks. If that doesn't work, I'll have to replace my hooks before every outing. Yes, I'm using braid.

If you like the 2/0 size maybe just go up to a heavier wire hook like a super line.

Have you tried the Gamakatsu Superline EWG in 2/0?

I have been using the gamagatsu g finesse hybrid worm hook for flukes and senkos for the past 2 years in a 3/0 size I believe and I haven’t had any issues.

@Swamp Girl Katie, I use Owner 2/0 EWG PLUS for stickworms. I've never had an issue with them in any situation. Even the 1/0 on a 4" worm has stood up in thick cover. They're widely available and you shouldn't have an issue finding them.

Gamakatsu EWG hooks are not strong. I no longer fish them. The Superline are fine I guess.

I have swapped to a mix of Owner All-Purpose Soft Bait hooks and Zappu Bellows. The Bellows are my favorite but they run probably a half size large and are of little thicker guage.

I'd recommend the VMC heavy duty worm hooks, and their drop dead weighted or unweighted hooks for flukes. No problems with them so far. They work well for me, and I use them in heavy cover and also with braid only.

Let us know what you choose. It's great when a problem gets solved that puts more fish in the boat.

Wow...That's crazy you've snapped that many in a short period of time. I actually use gammy's (g-lock for me) because of the thin wire. I've bent up plenty, but haven't snapped one. I want a thin wire for easy penetration while using mono/copoly.

Wow...That's crazy you've snapped that many in a short period of time. I actually use gammy's (g-lock for me) because of the thin wire. I've bent up plenty, but haven't snapped one. I want a thin wire for easy penetration while using mono/copoly.

35 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

Wow...That's crazy you've snapped that many in a short period of time. I actually use gammy's (g-lock for me) because of the thin wire. I've bent up plenty, but haven't snapped one. I want a thin wire for easy penetration while using mono/copoly.

It surprises me too, but the bass in my pond are so muscular and pull so hard. Plus, some of them rip through weeds or snag wood too.

I'll try @JonB2's suggestion since he switched me to 2/0 hooks, which I love otherwise. Thanks, guys!

Owner or vmc. I use 5/0 for flukes and t rigged set ups. Florida vegetation is really heavy and I don't have issues.

I ordered some heavy duty 2/0 hooks. It's not weeds and wood that are breaking my hooks, but bass. They pulled so hard that the hooks snapped.

I would try adjusting your drag some if you liked the hooks you were using.

Worth a try….

I have had some really brittle hooks come from Gamakatsu as well, always smaller sizes and especially in the last 2-3 years. It stands to reason that they would get some sketchy steel, just like everyone else does anymore.

For a really brawny smaller hook, try BKK “Worm HD” - I’m reasonably certain I could winch the truck around with them.

Their hooks are too hard and brittle. I gave up on em years ago. Owner are outstanding and mustad and vmc are very good.

I ordered some Owner hooks yesterday.

Owner.

20 hours ago, Brycecover said:

I have been using the gamagatsu g finesse hybrid worm hook for flukes and senkos for the past 2 years in a 3/0 size I believe and I haven’t had any issues.

DITTO ...

For me, Gamakatsu all day long ...

Good Fishing

The best‑selling bass fishing hooks in the USA cluster around a small group of manufacturers and a few specific hook styles that dominate bass angling: EWG worm hooks, offset round‑bend worm hooks, drop‑shot hooks, and treble hooks for crankbaits.

Your shopping results confirm exactly that — Gamakatsu, Owner, Mustad, VMC, Eagle Claw/Trokar, and Bass Pro’s house brand show up repeatedly.

Short answer:

The top‑selling bass hooks in the U.S. are Gamakatsu EWG Worm Hooks, Owner Offset Worm Hooks, Mustad Triple Grip Trebles, and VMC Wide Gap Worm Hooks — these four categories consistently lead sales across Scheels, Tackle Warehouse, Bass Pro, Walmart, and Amazon.

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Walmart has Brent Chapman Eagle Claw round bend offset worm hooks that I use. No complaints. 15 hooks for about $5.

For 2/0 and under I usually use the roboworm rebarbs. They're a lighter wire so I like them for finesse on spinning gear. I'll use the normal straight shank Gammys for my 4/0 and 5/0 hooks when fishing bigger worms on a baitcaster. Never had a problem with those and I add my own keeper with a piece of shrink wrap tubing. I've slightly bent hooks on hard hooksets but that's pretty rare and I mitigate that with just having the drag not locked down. Don't think I've ever broken the standard wire 5/0. I'd buy owner's version but last time I did I forgot they are cutting point hooks which I DESPISE. Next time I will likely get their cover shot or cover shot HD series instead. I do love the jungle hooks for flipping.

15 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

I'd buy owner's version but last time I did I forgot they are cutting point hooks which I DESPISE. Next time I will likely get their cover shot or cover shot HD series instead. I do love the jungle hooks for flipping.

I've never considered the point when buying hooks. Why do you despise cutting points? Please forgive my ignorance.

30 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I've never considered the point when buying hooks. Why do you despise cutting points? Please forgive my ignorance.

I'm in the same camp as MassYak, The cutting point hooks especially Trokar have a tendency to make a bigger hole in the mouth of the bass and can cause problems on a deeply hooked ( gill, gut or tongue hooked bass). I am a fan or the Gamakatsu hybrid or nano coated EWG's. I really like the BKK EWG's too.

Flame away that's IMHO.

FM

42 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I've never considered the point when buying hooks. Why do you despise cutting points? Please forgive my ignorance.

They do their job too well. They literally cut through the fishes mouth. So the hole they leave is bigger than a traditional needle point which leaves more opportunity for the hook to come free when they shake. I avoid them like the plague.

I chose the size of my hooks by the size of plastic I'm fishing, and the thickness of the hook by the size of bass and the type of cover I will encounter.

If I need a 2/0 hook for the size of the worm, and I'm fishing heavy line in thick cover, I will tie on a heavy duty 2/0. If I'm fishing open water, I prefer a lighter hook, because it will take less pressure to get a good hook set.

I prefer VMC EWG for much of my fishing, because I feel they are a good bang for your buck hook and I haven't experienced poor hooksets, that many others have with EWG. Owner, Mustad, Gamakatsu, and Trokar all have great hooks in light wire, standard, and heavy duty, in a variety of sizes. I have tried various hooks from all these brands, and believe they all make exceptional hooks.

You can also change to a different style of hook, while going up a size or two. A EWG 4/0 may be way to large for a trick worm, but a standard offset 4/0 while still a big hook, will not appear to be way oversize.