Hi all,

I could use your advice on selecting the right hook pattern or change anything else for a situation I faced.

For the past year, I've used the ESP Trig-Hammer size 5 for my spinner rig, which has performed fine until last night. I was fishing a new spot where I needed to block a fish after the bite because of some poles in the water.

After initial contact where I was not able to turn the fish, it felt like a really heavy fish and it kept trying to reach the snags, I lost connection and upon winding in, the hook apparently straightened out. I'm fishing at about 15 wraps distance with fluorocarbon and Free Spirit ES rods, so I thought to have enough cushioning to absorb the force.



Is this just bad luck, or do I need to change something? Different hook, different rig, or?

Thanks guys, I much appreciate any response

In reply to Post #1
I've had 3 esp hooks two of which bent out and one completely snapped in half.
Don't buy them anymore.

In reply to Post #1
Never had one open out on me. They do a XT version now which you could try.

In reply to Post #1
use the XT version, had same problem, XT solved it

Thanks guys! Hadn't seen the XT version before. I've ordered some packs, trusting they'll hold up better.

In reply to Post #1
It's a fault with the hook mate - they have a weak point on the bend, happened to me several times. Go for the XT version, they are strong and you wont get this problem. Very good hooks.

In reply to Post #6
I'll give the xt a go if it's that good. What rigs are people using with the trig hammer, quite an odd shape, other than a Ronnie.

All ready to go now! Hoping the next one will stay on

Thanks for the help.

In reply to Post #7
They are superb on slip d rig

In reply to Post #7
Multi rigs

In reply to Post #7
On the spinner mate - they are deadly. No need to sharpen them up, straight out the packet.

In reply to Post #9
Pretty much what I use all the time now. Seems to work nicely.

I bought a pack of the originals and the moment I felt the flex in them. They got given away without ever using. I think esp pushed the limit with the shape and wire gauge and they knew it hence the XT. Excellent hooks, will work with any rig I expect. Slip D or blow back for me

In reply to Post #13
Indeed, you need the XT version, best for ronnie rig😊

A friend of mine has been using ESP hooks for years (can't remember the pattern) but he says they've become one fish hooks at best and he'll often reel in to find the points have dulled very quickly.
He's lost all confidence in them and is in that horrible position of chopping and changing looking for something he likes and trusts.

In reply to Post #15
100% agree, I've used the curve shanks almost exclusively on pop up rigs, the point is turned over after every catch, v rare for this not to be the case.
I've ordered some from angling iron, will see if they last longer.

The best hooks for sharpness and strength without a doubt are atomic tackle

Funny, i remember posting about this problem on here a few years back and being called something like a retard and a hooligan by some. Ahwell:XD

In reply to Post #15
I've been using the cryogen grippers since the come out fantastic hooks . Several fish per hook Unfortunately no longer available. The new replacement the claw hammers blunt so easy in comparison. Lucky to get a second cast out of them. Definitely a softer weaker wire.

In reply to Post #18
my trig hammers when they first came out the points had gone over in the packet, I think it was 3 out of ten...the others I cast out on the river and the points went over on a sandy bottom...never used them again

I had a trig hammer open out fully and a cryogen snap in half so avoid forever now

Landed a lovely 32 Common on a barbless size 5 Trig-Hammer XT this weekend. Never had a problem with them personally, even the standard trig-hammer...

In reply to Post #18
Funny you should say that, my mate is a bit of a retarded hooligan lol

In reply to Post #1
Had them straighten out too, not used them since, but love the pattern. May try the XT in the future.

Had six fish up to 32lb today on the XT. I managed to catch two on the same hook but with the other four the very point of the hook was bent. All fish were nailed. I don't mind changing the hook after a capture as long as the hook holds are solid, and today they certainly were. Had another fish off the bottom with a Nash chod twister and the hook point was also gone on that hook.

In reply to Post #25
Yeah the Nash hooks turn over easily since going to the Pinpoint finish.
I've got about seventy packs of the old style Chod Twisters in size 5, they should keep me going for a good while.

In reply to Post #16
Angling iron chod hooks, are excellent. Very sharp out of pack and strong enough for nearly all situations. The points are decent but they will go
Over just like any sharp hook. Best hooks I've found for point longevity are gardeners dark covert range. They do a decent chod hook if you're looking for a lasting point

I had one bend out on me whilst playing a fish. It managed to reach some rushes so had to put a bit of pressure on but it wasn't nearly enough to bend the hook imo and I use pretty soft rods. Think I may try the xt's as I love the pattern. Just wish I hadn't bought 5 packets of the originals.

In reply to Post #1
Get on the Fox wide gape long shank in size 5, sharp out of the packet and very strong hook, perfect for the rig you photographed. I've had numerous 30s and 40s on these hooks whilst snag fishing , never an issue and great hook holds .

In reply to Post #29
Surely a wide gape, long shank hook is just a bigger hook?

In reply to Post #30
Been saying this ever since they came out!
To be fair it looks a nice pattern, ridiculous name though!

In reply to Post #30
Not sure what you mean by that comment, bigger than what ? I'm just suggesting an alternative hook pattern which won't bend out

In reply to Post #32
No worries, it is indeed a fairly similar pattern, albeit with a slightly shorter shank.

We are just pointing out that it's a silly name:
Take a normal hook, make the gape wider => "wide gape"
Now make the shank longer, what do you have ? Same pattern you started with, but bigger!

In reply to Post #33
Oh ok ? Same with long shank hooks then

In reply to Post #34
Well, no, if you take a size 6 and only lengthen the shank, it's a size 6 long shank, or of you prefer, a size 4 "small gape"!

In reply to Post #35
OK, pointless conversation really, which I know I got involved in too 🤣🤣,

But the Fox wide gape long shank is still an excellent strong hook

In reply to Post #33
Exactly, they could just have said use #### style of hook, but use a size 1 instead of a size 4.