Don't Use Cheap Hooks!

[T-Rex]

A friend just got back from a 10-day trip to the East Cape and he spent one day targeting grouper. He normally fishes Owner or other quality hooks, but for some reason he made his grouper/bsb rigs using 100# to off-brand made in China 11/0 hooks he picked up at a swap meet.

He landed a couple around 40 lbs with no problems, but toward the end of the day he hooked into a fish of a lifetime probably in the 200+ range. He was on about 3 seconds before this happened.

Moral of the story... don't cheap out on hooks or any other gear!

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss123/t-rex-photo/aefa4731-b1b7-4b8b-81f5-aad208354289.jpg.

[FullFlavorPike]

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/playstationallstarsbattleroyale/images/5/57/FUUUUUUUU-.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140714200529

[Bluewater Jon]

I have some horror stories. I was in Cabo and was on what may have been a triple digit tuna. I had been paddling next to a porpoise school. Battled it up to the surface until I saw color and then I got greedy and thumbed the spool, and the hook broke at the end in the shank. Damn Eagle Claws!!

[PapaDave]

Was fishing rockfish with an AHI squid setup. Got picked up by a large fish, think it was a YT, and the hook snapped right at the bend.

[SDROB]

Been there done that.
It really sinks in when you loose that big one.

I fought something huge in Gonzaga fishing w Sven last year for 30 mins and ended up straightening the hook right before I got it to color.

I learned cheap hooks and thumbing the spool don't mix...

[taggermike]

Damn, that sucks. Premium hooks can be pricy but if they avoid heart breaks they're more than worth it. Mike

[TJones]

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/playstationallstarsbattleroyale/images/5/57/FUUUUUUUU-.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140714200529

Dang C _ _ _ _ _ E hooks. Ya, it don't really make sense. Generally the fish we target are what most we would consider fish of a lifetime. Worse yet, you have something that you know won't let you down like a designer hook and you revert to cheaping out on tackle on one of your more expensive fishing trips. Dropping 40$ on a pack of hooks hurts. But it is more painful dropping 10$ on a handful. I try to find the 30 pack and the individual hook price may drop to just over a 1.00$ - 1.25$ give or take.

[bolocop]

Just so I know, an US made 100#-rated hook is supposed to not deform when fighting something 200#+?

Seems like these days, you read some inflammatory key words and people lose their logical thinking.