If you’re looking for a brand that’s a bit more affordable, however, Bass Pro Shops’ XPS Octopus hooks will usually get the job done. For anglers who might be looking for premium-quality hooks, brands like Mustad and Matzuo are among the most popular with guides and pros across the world. The octopus hook is one of the newer styles of specialty hooks available in the fishing industry, and many anglers are largely unfamiliar with them. These hooks bear certain similarities to the circle hooks and the j-hooks commonly used by anglers in various scenarios. The most common baits used with an octopus hook in which the line has been tied directly to the eye are usually minnows, worms, or even leeches. The overall design of this type of hook makes it a great choice for anglers looking to hook larger-sized fish, such as catfish. The overall purpose of the octopus hook is to function much like a regular circle hook in relation to how the hook is embedded into a fish’s mouth and how it can maintain that hookset without the fish getting free. The only major difference between the octopus hook and the circle hook is the angle at which the eye is set, which allows an angler to more easily ‘snell’ their hook with their fishing line if they want. The fact that the hook is designed with a short shank and a wide, sweeping gap between the shank and the actual hook and barb makes it perfect for getting good hooksets on bigger fish.

An Octopus Hook? (And When Should You Use One?) - Salt Strong What Is An Octopus Hook? (And When Should You Use One?) - Salt

Many fishing brands have spent considerable time developing certain types of new, specialized hooks in the last decade. The circle hook has exponentially grown in popularity as it allows anglers to exercise more caution and give released fish a greater chance at surviving a catch with less potential for injury. The octopus hook is another specialty hook style that is also growing in status among experienced and professional anglers. Most anglers use octopus hooks that are a bit smaller and lighter than other hooks to create a more natural-looking bait presentation. With a smaller and more lightweight hook, you can get a higher amount of action out of the particular type of bait you’re using. Put, the octopus hook allows a minnow and any other long, slender bait to have the ability to move around and flutter freely in the water. If the minnow is alive, any movement of its body and tail will be unobstructed by the hook, which will help attract predators to bite. If the minnow is dead, the angler can twitch their line to create the type of movement needed to entice most fish to bite. How to Choose the Right Size Octopus Hook Octopus hooks are versatile, multi-purpose fishing hooks characterized by their round bend, short shank, and inward-bent point. They are popular for their ability to securely hook a wide variety of fish species, making them a go-to option for anglers targeting everything from bass to salmon to catfish.

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Anglers most commonly use octopus hooks with live minnows because they can run the hook through the mouth and head portion of the minnow. By doing this, you allow the minnow’s tail and the rest of its body to be free, which helps add to the overall action and movement. For most anglers, octopus hooks are best used with live or natural bait in either freshwater or saltwater fishing scenarios. You can use the octopus hook as a snelled hook with a leader line, but it functions quite well when the line is tied directly to the eye. This allows you to hook your bait in certain ways that help with the overall bait presentation underwater, as well as with the hookset you’ll be able to get using these types of bait. Regarding some of the best brands that manufacture octopus hooks, you should look at the usual suspects at the top of the game in the fishing industry. Gamakatsu is one that many expert anglers turn to for specialty hooks as they are quality-made and usually stand up to nearly anything on the water.