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Ultra finesse fishing with
Gamakatsu’s Skip Gap Shaky Head
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Date: |
6/17/09 |
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Tackle type: |
Terminal Tackle |
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Manufacturer: |
Gamakatsu |
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Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.16 +
GREAT
Introduction:
Hook giant Gamakatsu
continues to branch out
with the release of
their Skip Gap Shaky
Heads. These jigheads
make use of the
company’s skip gap hook
design to help keep
thinner diameter finesse
worms threaded on when
shaking up fish.
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Gamakatsu Skip Gap Shaky Head Specifications
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| Function |
Jighead |
| Features |
Designed to hold baits securely to the hook |
| Sizes |
1/8oz. (3/0), 3/16oz. (3/0), 3/16oz. (4/0), 1/4oz. (4/0) |
| Colors |
Brown, Green Pumpkin |
| MSRP |
$5.49 / 4 pack |
Gamakatsu's
Skip Gap
Shaky Heads
are sold in
packs of
four
Impressions: When
it comes to
popularity
and market
share in
hooks
Gamakatsu is
just about
as big as
they come.
The
company’s
figures put
it at about
70%
marketshare
in Japan,
and there is
no doubt
that the
company is a
dominant
player here
in the
United
States as
well.
Gamakatsu
started
producing
hooks in
Japan in
1955, and at
that time
each hook
was made and
sharpened by
hand. Since
then,
Gamakatsu
has steadily
researched
new
materials
and
tempering
processes to
further push
the envelope
in terms of
performance
and
consistency
of their
offerings.
The Skip Gap
Shaky Heads
feature a
bend in the
hook that is
designed to
hold baits
securely to
the hook
The Skip Gap
Shaky Head
features the
same bend
that the
original
Gamakatsu
Skip Gap
hook design
utilized.
This simple
yet clever
design
focuses on
simplicity
and replaces
spring style
or barb
retainers.
The added
benefit of
the design
is that it
is possible
to thread on
even small
diameter
ultra
finesse
worms
without
worry of
tearing them
up while
rigging.
A Roboworm
threaded
onto the Skip Gap
Shaky Head
Real World Tests:
To test the
Gamakatsu Skip Gap
Shaky Head we head
to a number of lakes
including Clear
Lake, Pardee, as
well as the Northern
California Delta. We
targeted both
smallmouth and
largemouth bass in
crystal clear
freshwater as well
as stained brackish
water.
Notice how
the worm is
held in
place by the
bend in the
hook shaft
Casting:
There are only two
colors available in
this particular
jighead and while I
liked both the matte
Green Pumpkin and
the Brown colors I
do feel like the
series would be made
more complete with a
glossy or matte
black option. When
paired with black or
purple worms the
green and brown
finishes just didn’t
match. The skip gap
design is extremely
easy to use, simply
thread your worm on
the hook and your
done. No need to
screw on baits, or
wiggle them over
barbs, the design is
just plain effective
at keeping worms
rigged in place.
There is no
doubt the
technique is
deadly
effective on
bass
There really isn’t
much to say about
casting a rigged up
Skip Gap Shaky Head,
simply pick the
right weight for
your application and
cast away. These
rigs are easy to
cast with both
spinning and
baitcasting gear,
and with a little
practice skipping
them under docks is
also possible. For
most applications I
found the 1/4oz. was
just plenty enough
weight to get down
quickly, and could
be rigged with a
wide variety of
worms.
Skip Gap
Shaky Heads
are
available in
green
pumpkin
color in
addition to
the brown
Let's see what the
Skip Gap Shaky Heads
can do...
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