Aaron Martens’ 5 favorite hooks

Tackle guru Aaron Martens details his five favorite bassin' hooks.

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	Aaron Martens is one of the best “natural” fishermen there is. In other words, he’s got some of the best instincts on tour and thinks so much like a fish that at times he forgets he doesn’t have gills. Besides great instincts, Martens’ meticulous nature regarding terminal tackle makes it easy for him to capitalize on his intuition. He even takes fluorocarbon into restaurants with him so it doesn’t get hot in his truck, which damages the fragile line.</p>
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	But, we’re here to talk hooks, so here are his five favorites.</p>
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Aaron Martens is one of the best “natural” fishermen there is. In other words, he’s got some of the best instincts on tour and thinks so much like a fish that at times he forgets he doesn’t have gills. Besides great instincts, Martens’ meticulous nature regarding terminal tackle makes it easy for him to capitalize on his intuition. He even takes fluorocarbon into restaurants with him so it doesn’t get hot in his truck, which damages the fragile line.

But, we’re here to talk hooks, so here are his five favorites.

Originally published Jan. 2012

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	<strong>1. Gamakatsu Rebarb</strong></p>
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	This thin-wire hook is his go-to for many soft plastics. It’s got a classic O’Shaugnessy bend that he says goes into a fish’s mouth easily, but takes some effort to dislodge. He usually has to resort to pliers to unhook bass that bite a bait armed with this hook, but he doesn’t mind. “These are awesome; I rarely lose a fish with them. I got a lot of the Elite guys throwing these – even if they won’t admit it!”<br><br>Sizes range from No. 1 to 4/0, and he uses the lighter sizes for drop shotting and the wider gaps for Texas and Carolina rigging.</p>
1. Gamakatsu Rebarb

This thin-wire hook is his go-to for many soft plastics. It’s got a classic O’Shaugnessy bend that he says goes into a fish’s mouth easily, but takes some effort to dislodge. He usually has to resort to pliers to unhook bass that bite a bait armed with this hook, but he doesn’t mind. “These are awesome; I rarely lose a fish with them. I got a lot of the Elite guys throwing these – even if they won’t admit it!”Sizes range from No. 1 to 4/0, and he uses the lighter sizes for drop shotting and the wider gaps for Texas and Carolina rigging.

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	<strong>2. Gamakatsu 2X Strong Short Shank Round Bend treble</strong></p>
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	“This is the most important hook I use,” he says. “I put it on all of my reaction baits – crankbaits, rattle baits and the like.” These trebles have a shorter shank than traditional trebles, which keep the points of the hook closer to the bait, effectively pinning the fish to the lure. “These are double strong hooks, so they’ll never bend out on you,” he says. “Plus, the fish has a lot less leverage when he bites the bait, so he can’t hardly throw it when he shakes his head or jumps. These are the best trebles made – ever.”</p>
2. Gamakatsu 2X Strong Short Shank Round Bend treble

“This is the most important hook I use,” he says. “I put it on all of my reaction baits – crankbaits, rattle baits and the like.” These trebles have a shorter shank than traditional trebles, which keep the points of the hook closer to the bait, effectively pinning the fish to the lure. “These are double strong hooks, so they’ll never bend out on you,” he says. “Plus, the fish has a lot less leverage when he bites the bait, so he can’t hardly throw it when he shakes his head or jumps. These are the best trebles made – ever.”

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	<strong>3. Gamakatsu Superline O’Shaugnessy Worm Hook</strong></p>
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	This hook is what Martens uses to flip soft plastics. He prefers it over the monster-gapped hooks because this hook penetrates a fish’s jaw; there isn’t a lot of hook showing on the outside of the bass’ mouth, which, in turn, can get hung on logs, grass or other debris. He will, however, open up the point a bit to expose the tip more. If flipping with heavy braid, Martens will snell this hook. “It has a good size barb on it and holds the worm really well. I’ve never straightened one out, even boat flipping 6-pounders.”</p>
3. Gamakatsu Superline O’Shaugnessy Worm Hook

This hook is what Martens uses to flip soft plastics. He prefers it over the monster-gapped hooks because this hook penetrates a fish’s jaw; there isn’t a lot of hook showing on the outside of the bass’ mouth, which, in turn, can get hung on logs, grass or other debris. He will, however, open up the point a bit to expose the tip more. If flipping with heavy braid, Martens will snell this hook. “It has a good size barb on it and holds the worm really well. I’ve never straightened one out, even boat flipping 6-pounders.”

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	<strong>4. Gamakatsu Split Shot</strong></p>
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	This hook is what Martens uses when he’s nose-hooking drop shot baits or wacky worming. He uses 1/0 most often with 12- to 14-pound-test line. If he’s fishing lighter line, he goes with a No. 1. He’ll open it up a bit for a better hook up ratio.</p>
4. Gamakatsu Split Shot

This hook is what Martens uses when he’s nose-hooking drop shot baits or wacky worming. He uses 1/0 most often with 12- to 14-pound-test line. If he’s fishing lighter line, he goes with a No. 1. He’ll open it up a bit for a better hook up ratio.

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	<strong>5. Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Flippin’ Hook</strong></p>
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	Despite its name, Martens doesn’t flip heavy cover with this hook. He says the super-wide gap will grab detritus as it’s dragging bass through heavy cover. However, he says it’s the best flipping and pitching and soft jerkbait hook there is – if the cover is sparse. “The barb is perfect and the gap positions the point in just the right spot for a perfect hook set,” he says. “I bent the original Heavy Cover Flippin’ Hook out of a Superline Worm Hook, gave it to Andre Moore and he had Gamakatsu make it into the BMF. They’re great hooks.” This is his choice for Texas and Carolina rigging thick soft plastics as well.</p>
5. Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Flippin’ Hook

Despite its name, Martens doesn’t flip heavy cover with this hook. He says the super-wide gap will grab detritus as it’s dragging bass through heavy cover. However, he says it’s the best flipping and pitching and soft jerkbait hook there is – if the cover is sparse. “The barb is perfect and the gap positions the point in just the right spot for a perfect hook set,” he says. “I bent the original Heavy Cover Flippin’ Hook out of a Superline Worm Hook, gave it to Andre Moore and he had Gamakatsu make it into the BMF. They’re great hooks.” This is his choice for Texas and Carolina rigging thick soft plastics as well.