Gamakatsu Goes Maxo on Nano

Introduction: Terminal tackle is always a bit innocuous. There are so many brands with so many different hook types for just as many applications, it can all get a little dizzying. There are, of course, a handful of terminal tackle manufacturers to which we play close attention because their product has always performed for us when critical product reviews are on the line. One of those brands is Gamakatsu. We caught up with Aaron Martens at the Gamakatsu booth to check out what's new from the company in 2016.

Gamakatsu introduced their new Superline Swimbait Head at ICAST.

Built on a heavy wire hook this swimbait head is meant to be fished with superlines or heavy monofilament.

Superline Swimbait Head: First on the docket was a new jighead/swimbait head hook designed for use with superlines. The difference? At it's core, is a heavy wire, 60-degree angle Superline hook. The streamlined head is compatible with internal and external swimbait rigging and comes in weights 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 ounce. The first three weights feature a 4/0 hook while the last two come with a 5/0 hook.

Available in painted or unpainted heads.

Nano Smooth Coat is what their finesse series is all about.

Nano Smooth Coating : The next several new introductions take advantage of Gamakatsus relatively new Nano Smooth Coat to increase durability of the hook point, but also make it easier for the hook to penetrate meaning a better bite to hook up ratio - especially with finesse applications.

Last year it was the thin wire treble, this year it's the medium heavy wire treble for thicker cover situations.

G Finesse Treble MH Hook : Having already introduced a thin wire G Finesse treble last year, Gamakatsu is introducing a new, medium heavy wire G Finesse treble for stickier and heavier cover situations. Using the same short shank design and featuring the Nano Smoot Coat finish, these new MH Hooks will be available in sizes ranging from 6 - 1/0..

Past hook keeper designs either added weight to the hook or weren't too durable.

G Finesse Heavy Cover Worm : Gamakatsu extends their nano coat technology to their very popular heavy cover worm hook creating the new G Finesse Heavy Cover Worm hook with a hook keeper designed by Aaron Martens. it is made of non-corrosive tin, not plastic or lead, so it doesn't wear out or add any unwanted weight. It will be available in sizes from 2 - 4/0.

Aaron Martens designed the new keeper (right) to be made of tin giving the angler the durability of a metal keeper without all the weight.

These tin keeper hooks will be available in the G Finesse line in both light wire and heavy wire worm hooks.

G Finesse Swivel Shot Drop Shot : Gamakatsu improves upon the original Swivel Shot design by changing the hook to a more traditional drop shot style hook to create the G Finesse Swivel Shot Drop Shot hook. It carries with it the same, swiveling action designed by Shin Fukae, and the same nano coat finish, just with a hook more traditionally associated with the drop shot technique. This hew Swivel Shot Drop Shot hook will be available in sizes 2, 1, 1/0 and 2/0.

Thank you Aaron Martens for showing us what's new with Gamakatsu.

Conclusion: Gamakatsu was the very first premium hook brand I tried back in life before TackleTour. Their light wire worm hooks were a staple in my tackle box while friends who fished with me and constantly had to borrow tackle got my left over, off brand hooks. Somehow my catch rates were always higher than these fishing buddies. It's scary to think how those numbers may again increase with all these new Nano Smooth Coat products Gamakatsu is producing. These hooks work, so I'm anxious to add them to my arsenal and maybe pawn off my left over non Nano hooks to our forum moderator JIP!