eagle claw lazer sharp 7/0 circle sea By far best hook up % of any hook i have used with eels use 8/0 if using clams don't use with chunk

Feel the tap tip the rod flick the wrist Corner of the mouth game over
very rare to get a gut hook

if snelled with the pull of the line over the eye the just keep digging

no lie 99% hook up rate rarely a pulled or shaken hook I know a lot of guys don't like them but honestly your missing out they are a win win for us and the fish if your a release guy like me

I primarily use 5/0. I like a smaller hook for presentation, i think its a mental thing. Smaller hook equals a more natural presentation. It may also equals a few less fish but i don't miss many.

7/0 Gami Octopus Circle for me. Been using them so long I wouldn't know how to hook a fish on a J-hook anymore. The circles also slide thru the boulders much easier than J's.

7/0 and even 8/0 for those larger eels!

Looks like nobody uses the mustad tuna hooks. I like a 96150 ( I think that is the #) 8/0 mustad tuna hook. The Gami's have a very small barb which I do not like. The mustad are a bit stronger, but more importantly a bigger barb so the eel does not go off into the ocean when you need to lay into a cast.

Usually 6/0. NOT the HD; just seems like overkill, and because I'm cheap and they're expensive.

A really awesome eel hook is the VMC live bait hook in the tinned salt water coating. They cost a lot, but I bet you could get a full season out if 5 of them if you never had a break off... It's the hook I chose to make my rigged surfhog eels.
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I've been using the 18416 6/0 Live Bait hooks for many years. Very sharp and better barbs then the regular Gami's, which keeps the eels on the hook all night long. Worth every cent! Bigger hooks not not equal bigger fish,,just the opposite.

6/0 octpus for me

Is the 18416 a Gami?

Yes it is. Amazon has them on sale right now for $7.32. Now that's a steal.

Anyone ever try the owner guerrillas?

Ahh Yes-- Just looked it up-- thanks. I have tried those hooks. Still prefer the mustad. The mustads barb are just a bit bigger.

Bill, can you bring a pack of those Mustad's to SurfDay in NJ. I can't seem to find them online. I have been tinkering with different eel fishing hooks and would like to give them a shot.

Hi Russ-- I had the numbers wrong-- they are 94150. Here is a pick.. Most of them these days come sharp, but unlike the Gami you need to check them and make sure they are sharp. Great hook!

excellent, thanks. I was searching for the number and coming up empty. As for sharpness, I keep a file in my rigging box. Sharp is not an issue.

Thanks again Bill.