
This keeps the weight down, helping the fly float properly. Dry fly anglers swear by a tapered eye, which is more slender towards the end of the loop. There are also a couple of eyes that you’ll only use with specific fishing techniques. You can thread the entire hook through the bait fish easily, just like a sewing needle. Finally, needle eye hooks are ideal for fishing with bait. Brazing a hook stops it bending or breaking during the fight. For bigger fish, anglers normally use a brazed eye – a loop sealed shut with melted metal. It’s easy to thread line through and works with a variety of knots. Some eyes are also strengthened to deal with the pressure of big game battles. There are specific eyes for certain knots and tying styles. Moving over to the blunt end, choosing the right eye can be just as important to your catch rate. The problem with knife edge points is that they cause a lot of damage to the fish. Sharpened on both sides and pointed away from the shank, they’re made for maximum penetration. Knife edge point: These guys mean business. However, they can make setting the hook much more difficult on tougher species. They cut through soft-mouthed fish and stay in place once they’re there. Hollow point: Hollow point hooks have a bent-in spike which curves down to the barb. They’re perfect for fish that thrash about when they’re brought to the boat. The tip faces towards the hook eye, keeping your force directly in line with its path through a fish’s mouth. Rolled in point: Rolled in points pierce deeply with the minimal amount of pressure. They’re also easier to sharpen than more elaborate varieties. Spear points run straight up from the throat, giving you decent penetration and limited damage to the fish. Spear point: This is the most common point and a great all-rounder. This keeps the hole small, reducing the harm to the fish and making it harder for it to throw the hook. They’re designed to pierce easily, and to cause minimal damage once they’re through. Needle point: Needle points taper in slightly towards the shank. The five most common points are as follows. No surprises then, that various hook points have been developed over the years. It’s the difference between a solid hookup and a near-miss. This is the business end of your whole setup. Out of all these parts, the ones with the most specific varieties are the point and the eye. On the other hand, having a wide gape lets you use larger baits to tempt big predators. For example, having a long, narrow shank is useful when working with thin baits like worms.


