Tacoma, Washington (September 16, 2020) Vertical jigging changed the game for many bluewater anglers, drawing adrenaline-inducing strikes from tuna, amberjacks, snapper, grouper and more. Gamakatsu made the technique more successful with their assist hooks, placing a free-swinging hook on a short leader near the top of the jig where most fish hit. More hits became hook ups, and the rest is history.
Gamakatsu has made their tournament winning assist hooks even better with the addition of a stainless steel ring. The constant motion involved in vertical jigging is tough on leader materials, giving the looped monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid used to secure the hooks a short life. The smooth, stainless steel ring can take the abuse of constant bouncing and freight train hits, saving the polyethylene cord from wearing while increasing the lure’s action. The nearly unbreakable ring also makes rigging faster, effortlessly sliding on a split ring to secure it to the jig eye.
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The Assist 520 Ringed is built with forged hooks that are designed to stay stuck strike after strike. The 520 Ringed features a welded stainless steel ring and is available in sizes from 3/0 to 6/0 to handle everything from jacks to school tuna. The polyethylene cord will handle just about everything you throw at it, testing at 160 pounds in the 3/0 and 4/0 sizes, and 220 pounds in the 5/0 and 6/0 sizes. Look for the Assist 520 Ringed at your favorite tackle retailer in packs of two.
If your quarry is a little bit bigger, outfit your jigs with the Assist 620 HD Ringed. The heavy-duty forged hooks utilize a thicker wire than those in the 520 series, giving you the strength needed to tangle with the biggest predators. The Assist 620 HD also features a smooth, one-piece stainless steel ring for durability and strength. The 5/0 and 6/0 models are rigged with 270 pound test polyethylene cord, while the 7/0 and 8/0 sizes utilize 400 pound test cord so they can handle nearly anything you’re likely to encounter. The Assist 620 HD Ringed sells in single packs for convenience.
If you jig for fish that are as big as you, or bigger, the Assist 720 Heavy Duty is the hook you need. The Assist 720 is built with the largest beasts of the ocean in mind, featuring a supple polyethylene cord that tests at an unbelievable 880 pounds. The 720 is rigged with ultra-strong, incredibly sharp Gamakatsu saltwater hooks in sizes 10/0 through 12/0, suited for the largest fish in the sea. The Assist 720 HD features a smooth, one-piece stainless steel ring for durability, enhanced action, and easy rigging. Sold in single packs.
Outfit your vertical jigs with Gamakatsu’s line of Ringed Assist hooks and bring more fish to the surface. With sizes from 3/0 to 12/0, you can hook just about anything that swims.
Assist 520 Features:
- Smooth, welded stainless steel ring eliminates wear on the leader
- Sizes: 3/0 and 4/0 come rigged with 160 pound polyethylene cord, 5/0 and 6/0 and come rigged with 220 pound polyethylene cord
- Color: Tin
- Qty/Pack: 2
Assist 620 HD Features:
- Smooth, one-piece stainless steel ring eliminates wear on the leader
- Sizes: 5/0 and 6/0 come rigged with 270 pound test polyethylene cord, 7/0 and 8/0 come rigged with 400 pound test polyethylene cord
- Color: Hypershield
- Qty/Pack: 1
Assist 720 HD Features:
- Smooth, one-piece stainless steel ring eliminates wear on the leader
- Sizes: 10/0, 11/0 and 12/0, rigged with 880 pound test polyethylene cord
- Color: Tin
- Qty/Pack: 1
For more information visit www.gamakatsu.com
From humble beginnings as Japan’s smallest fishing hook manufacturer in 1955, Gamakatsu® Ltd has evolved to become the world’s preeminent hook manufacturer. Over the years, manufacturing upgrades and cutting-edge innovations have fueled Gamakatsu® USA’s rise as a top producer of fishing hooks, apparel, and fishing related items.
When anglers purchase Gamakatsu® hooks, they are buying an original product made exclusively by Gamakatsu®. Gamakatsu® is continuously testing new materials and striving to improve their products, which already sets the standard for the rest of the industry.
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