for those who use gamakatsu hooks

[JamesJet]

I am another one who uses the 6/0 live bait for eels. The HD are way to thick, but the regulars are great. Not cheap at all though.

[Rockfish9]

I've never had a gami circle ( 6/0) break when live lining macks or bottom fishing... I have broken them on tuna...( 9/0).. I switched to Gami's back in the late 80's when eagle claw had an issue like you discribe... the hook bould break right behind the barb.. I was selling back then and they cost me quite a bit of money..... I prefer smaller hooks than most of you for eeling.. 4/0 Gami "J" hooks and I've never broke one....these are a must for me because I fish much lighter tackle in a lot shaloer water than most do...

On the offset thing... IMHO... a must for eeling... unless you want to hook your own eel 75% of the time...not sure about it for fishing macks... I've only been using them a few years ( since I stopped using trebles)... not nearly long enough to form an accurate opinion..

[Sea Dangles]

I use the gami octopus in 6/0 for eels and 7/0 for scup or pogies. The 7/0 had a breakage problem, I know they had a bad batch. When testing the strength of a hook make sure you are not trying to snap it by the point of the hook as that is not where a typical set takes place.