Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

FORGET EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT HOOKS... THE RULES HAVE CHANGED

<img src='/shared/news/photolarge/TroKarLogo__RGB.jpg' align='right'>DENVER, COLORADO – Lazer TroKar™, the newest and sharpest fishhook on the market is cracking skulls, drawing blood, dominating the competition and battling it out… Whoop-*** no longer comes in a can!

Introducing the awe-inspiring line of Lazer TroKar fishhooks… for those who aren’t just out to catch fish, but are out to win. A hook with a point designed in the medical field, shapes perfected on the pro tour and manufactured with cutting edge technologies right here in the USA.

TroKar – The only hook using patented Surgically Sharpened Technology has produced the wickedest fishhook ever made….just ask their Senior VP who managed to embed one in his skull during testing, or Skeet Reese who actually drew blood the first time he handled them. Or maybe Shaw Grigsby, the honorable and venerable Godfather of bass fishing, who was as giddy as a schoolgirl on Christmas morning to get his hands on the first production of TroKar hooks.


The multi-faceted, freakishly sharp point on the TroKar fishhook is only the beginning. They used ultra clean, cold forged high-carbon steel to beef up this bad-boy. They tweaked the tempering process, amped up the wire diameter, perfected the barb profile and wound up with a gnarly instrument that will slice through a jugular. Go ahead, set the hook like you actually mean it. Feel the strength and confidence course through your veins as you realize you are now playing in the big leagues, with big boys and sharp toys.

The sinfully sharp TroKar hooks, which have been tested and proven to consistently pierce a test medium with as little as half the force as other hooks, are available in six ideal bass fishing hook styles, all plated in Black Chrome:

<img src='/shared/news/photolarge/TK100_RGB.jpg' align='right' border=0>
<b>TK100 – HD Worm</b>
$11.99 MSRP Sizes 1/0 – 5/0
The TroKar TK100 HD Worm is the ultimate round bend worm hook. A style long preferred by top anglers and proven through years of tournament wins and grueling conditions, the TK100 HD Worm hook has given a facelift to an old standby…and it looks awfully pretty!




<img src='/shared/news/photolarge/TK110_RGB.jpg' align='right' border=0>
<b>TK110 – EWG </b>
$11.99 MSRP Sizes: 1/0 to 5/0

The TroKar TK110 Extra Wide Gap Worm is the most versatile in TroKar lineup. A favorite among professional anglers for a variety of soft plastics, the prolific hooking capabilities of the TK110 are second to none. The extra wide gap on the TK110 allows for the biggest of soft plastics, as well as a piece of old bucket-mouth.

<img src='/shared/news/photolarge/TK120_RGB.jpg' align='right' border=0>
<b>TK120 – Magworm </b>
$11.99 MSRP Sizes: 3/0 – 8/0

The TroKar TK120 Magworm EWG is one burley and nasty hook. With a massive wire diameter that is built to withstand whatever Mother Nature can throw at it and topped with the sharpest point known to man, it’s sure to please. Thick vegetation, rip-rap, stumps and brush-piles are merely child’s play for the TK120

<img src='/shared/news/photolarge/TK130_RGB.jpg' align='right' border=0>
<b>TK130 – Flippin’ </b>
$11.99 MSRP Sizes: 4/0 – 6/0
The TK130 is the ultimate Flippin’ Hook. Designed with a precision cut slice on the bottom of the straight shank, and flanked by the new TroKar Barb on the top of the shank to provide the best bait holding power available in the industry. Tests have proven the Surgically Sharpened TroKar hook to consistently pierce a test medium with half the pressure as other hook brands.

<img src='/shared/news/photolarge/TK140_RGB.jpg' align='right' border=0>
<b>TK140 – Swimbait </b>
$11.99 MSRP Sizes: 4/0 – 7/0

The TroKar TK140 Swimbait was designed to be as versatile as the pro’s who fish it. Whether they are throwing their favorite swimbait or tying it on for a top-water frog bite, the TK140 allows professional anglers to customize their presentation to the each environment and conditions at hand. Tests have proven the Surgically Sharpened TroKar hook to consistently pierce a test medium with half the pressure of other hooks.

<img src='/shared/news/photolarge/TK150_RGB.jpg' align='right' border=0>
<b>TK150 – Drop Shot </b>
$11.99 MSRP Sizes 1 & 1/0

The TroKar TK150 Drop Shot hook is a must have for any serious bass angler. While not the flashiest or biggest hook, the TK150 is often the deadliest. He TK150 was designed in conjunction with the likes of Shaw Grigsby, Gerald Swindle, Skeet Reese and Brent Chapman.


For more information on TroKar, be sure to visit www.lazertrokar.com where you can download screen savers, view tech info about styles & sizes, visit the TroKar pro’s, check out trick TroKar apparel and much more.

Wow, that was an impressive PR! Any idea how many hooks come in a pack at $11.99? This looks like a game changer!

from what ive seen 4 of those flippin hooks in a pack. pretty sure im not going to buy a $3 hook

They should retail for $9.99 guys, and having touched them now myself here at ICAST, they are everything they purport to be and more.

These things are B.A.D. Badd!

SUPER Sharp, and amazing finish.

DanO

any word if they will come out with a jig hook? flat eye preferrably?

Denver, Co? Hmm I have a feeling this is a spin off from Eagle Claw or in some way related. The hooks look good but a little pricey. For the serious tournament fishing I'd be more interested in see what kind of price discount they offer for the bulk packs vs purchasing the 4 pack of hooks.

I don't know about you guys but I don't tend to buy the small hook packs unless I'm experimenting with a new technique. Once I get it dialed in I usually buy the 25+ packs of hooks.

in a PR piece it makes you wonder. Guess I'll sit on the side lines on this new hook and stick with my Diiachi and X-points ttill then.

Yes, my speculation was correct.

Whois lookup on lasertrokar.com:

Registrant:
Wright & McGill Co
4245 E. 46th Ave.
Denver, CO 80216
US

Whois lookup on eagleclaw.com

Registrant:
Wright & McGill Co
4245 E. 46th Ave.
Denver, CO 80216
US


Looks like they just put a different marketing campaign on the same hooks with an expensive price tag. When they make their way to Bass Pro Shops in AZ I'll check them out, but not sure if I'll replace my entire lineup just yet.

Vince Borrego wrote:Denver, Co? Hmm I have a feeling this is a spin off from Eagle Claw or in some way related. The hooks look good but a little pricey. For the serious tournament fishing I'd be more interested in see what kind of price discount they offer for the bulk packs vs purchasing the 4 pack of hooks.

I don't know about you guys but I don't tend to buy the small hook packs unless I'm experimenting with a new technique. Once I get it dialed in I usually buy the 25+ packs of hooks.

+1

Word behind the scenes is that pro's that have gotten to use the new hooks won't practice with them because they stick too many fish. Apparently they had to find the right packaging also because the hooks were easily tearing up the original design. I was told that each hook is hand sharpened in whatever new process they've come up with and the result is a hook point sharp beyond anything previously achieved.

Just stuff I've been hearing about these new generation hooks.

Hey, if they are what I've heard they are, the pros won't balk at it regardless of price, especially if its determined to give an advantage.

sTony

sTony wrote:Word behind the scenes is that pro's that have gotten to use the new hooks won't practice with them because they stick too many fish. Apparently they had to find the right packaging also because the hooks were easily tearing up the original design. I was told that each hook is hand sharpened in whatever new process they've come up with and the result is a hook point sharp beyond anything previously achieved.

Just stuff I've been hearing about these new generation hooks.

Hey, if they are what I've heard they are, the pros won't balk at it regardless of price, especially if its determined to give an advantage.

sTony

Tony do you know what stores will have them around Sac..... There are a couple of applications I could use some SHARP AMERICAN MADE hooks for......

Just ordered 4 packs of the 5/0 Flipping hook from Monsterfishingtackle.com

they will arrive tomorrow

9.95 a pack

only had 5/0 in the flipping hook and only got 30 packs better jump on them boys!

A little too rich for my blood. 10 bucks for 4 hooks?!?!?!?! I hope they find the fish for you for that price.

2 threads on the same product.
http://lazertrokar.com/
Looking at this hook brings one? to mind; corrosion. Sharpened after heat treat and plating, you may not want to get these hooks close to salt water.
Tom

Sounds like they're so sharp, the fish jump into the boat to get away from them.

The fish must get hooked by just staring at the hook, I gotta get me some!

Haha.

Seeing is believing. There are a few manufactures that are so ahead of the rest, I doubt this product will be competition for them. The right geometry and above average quality control make a good hook.

There can be a point that is too sharp. As many of you know an extremely sharp point is fragile. Most high end hook manufactures are actually electro-polishing their hooks to reduce the sharpness in an effort to improve the durability of the point. In the manufacturing world of sharp cutting tools its referred to as the edge preparation.

The point should have a specific radius that will maximize the bearing stress when applied to the surface to be penetrated, but not become too small where it becomes fragile.

drew wrote:Seeing is believing. There are a few manufactures that are so ahead of the rest, I doubt this product will be competition for them. The right geometry and above average quality control make a good hook.

There can be a point that is too sharp. As many of you know an extremely sharp point is fragile. Most high end hook manufactures are actually electro-polishing their hooks to reduce the sharpness in an effort to improve the durability of the point. In the manufacturing world of sharp cutting tools its referred to as the edge preparation.

The point should have a specific radius that will maximize the bearing stress when applied to the surface to be penetrated, but not become too small where it becomes fragile.

Agreed. A sharper hook means thinner diameter. I wonder what the durability is like. I'll have to try a pack and see. My initial feeling, without having touched one yet, is that I'll be paying 3 times what a Gami cost and with very little advantage.

Justin

They are only available from three different stores (or chains)

Since none of them are advertisers here - I won't post which ones. But, you can find a list of them on the Trokar website.

Yes they are $9.99

It's gonna be real tough to switch from by BMF... still have 12 packs laying around somewhere

Good sharp hooks are hard to beat, but how wil they work when we skin hook those babies into our plastics? I am not one to complain about the sharpness of a hook or about having to replace plastics but I sure dont want one that rips out on the initial cast.

Just my .02

Cool Video... I like when they are on the boat pretending to reel in a fish.. like the director was saying "switch sides, switch, now switch!"

Sharp out of the pack great... How long do they stay sharp?? One snag and our $3 hook became just like the rest.

Hey where are the treble hooks...? I can't use those on a crank.....

The points are not thin, remove the needle point thoughts from the equation, these are a triple sided point that creates speed and penetration.

They used a higher quality, cleaner material in making them, and the plating is a new process as well that was designed to reduce corrosion.

From talking to the entire TroKar team here at the show today, the project has been a three and a half year program, and it culminated in something that nobody has seen before.

They are still working on other hook shapes, trebles and OEM included, I talked to their Marketing Director about that very topic tonight.

TroKar is a new brand of Wright & McGill, they are not Eagle Claw hooks, this is an entirely separate brand. I've seen them, and touched each model, the hooks are very sharp, very strong and I am thoroughly impressed with what I saw.

They also released these in one of the coolest, most well thought out product releases I have seen in this industry, very creative, very professional, VERY effective.

And no, I have nothing to do with them, other than I have friends that are anglers that have worked on the project, and even then, I knew nothing about it until the launch.

DanO

Hahahaha.......one pass along Henderson Point could now cost upwards of $100

Remember when the expensive crankbait was the 7 dollar Rapala? Just the evolution of the hook market. It looks like a good mix of the thin, but flimsy point on the Gami and the bulky strong multiside Owner. I MIGHT buy some. Not this week. Just don't see it affecting the ability to catch most fish. There have been times when the bite has been such that a sharper hook may make a difference. The PR campaign is cheesy and a waste of money. No substance past the flash but it's an overengineered hook from a huge corporation. Guess they feel it's needed to get the buzz and buyers.

I am always up for sticky hooks. I use some Owners, but I think round points slice less, and make neato preforations vs a big open slice. In that line of thought, I think the round points have a better chance of retaining a fish with the barb if it comes to that.

The name for the hooks sounds like a character from He-Man.



I will check them out, still have a good supply of BMFs.

A.G.

Andy Giannini wrote: The name for the hooks sounds like a character from He-Man.


A.G.

They were featured in the new Transformers.

It's kind of funny to sit back and read all the negativity about something that has only just been released and that none of you, except maybe DanO and TomL, have held in your hands or looked at in person with your own eyes.

sTony

sTony,
I don't mean to sound negative.
Just having some fun with it.
Mark

It's no big deal Mark. I guess most of us come from a negative bent rather then a positive one is all. I know I likely do. Not trying to condemn anyone, just observing.

sTony

Tony,

The price point is definatly a culture shock, the same was tru with tungsten when it was released you want me to pay what for a sinker.....now most of us have tungsten in our boxes.

With the economy being what it is, I think as a community we are all skeptical of new stuff and where our money is being spent.

sTony wrote:It's kind of funny to sit back and read all the negativity about something that has only just been released and that none of you, except maybe DanO and TomL, have held in your hands or looked at in person with your own eyes.

sTony

I think everybody that posted has bought a hook. That said, the price comparison is well within all posters scope of knowledge. Laser sharpening? Nothing new. Isn't there a hook called Lazersharp? If it was an innovative crankbait or plastic bait I could see your problem with other's criticism of a product they have not touched. If I was a retailer or marketer I would love to review open conversation like this to gauge public response to such a big price point change. We assume every hook we use is sharp. These hooks are twice as expensive as any others on the market. Are people ready to pay that much for a hook?

I agree with Robert's take. The idea of that steep of a price increase doesn't require holding the hook in your hand to comment on that.

And Ash points out that tungsten weights were thought to be expensive and we all now have them, but they were inovative in the sense that you got more weight in a small form factor.

The new hook is just supposed to be sharper than others. That's improvement not inovation. It's like going to the video store to buy a new TV and the salesman tells you that this unit has 1650 billion pixel and that makes it better than the one that has 1600 billion; your eyes won't be able to tell the difference.

The Owners and Gamis seem to be pretty freakin' sharp and I have the scars to prove it. I'll be opened minded but those hooks better be extremely good for that much money.
- Wolfeman

Robert F wrote: Are people ready to pay that much for a hook?

I bet you could charge $100.00 for a hook and some fool would still buy one.

what is the difference between this new hook and the X-Point hook?

--------------------

4 micro cutting edges insure structural integrity and strength. Perfect, straight points are always parallel to line of pull.



In the winter of 1996 a major surgical needle manufacturer let us use their lab to test the penetrability (sharpness) of various "ultra sharp" hooks. (This is a public company whose needles go for over $100 each!) The hooks tested were of the same wire diameter and finish - the only difference was the design of the points.

The results surprised everyone involved! The next best was a top needle point brand design from Japan. It took 350 grams of force to penetrate from the tip of the point to the tip of the barb. The XPoint took only 50 grams. That's Seven Times Sharper!

Brian D. wrote:In the winter of 1996 a major surgical needle manufacturer let us use their lab to test the penetrability (sharpness) of various "ultra sharp" hooks. (This is a public company whose needles go for over $100 each!) The hooks tested were of the same wire diameter and finish - the only difference was the design of the points.

The results surprised everyone involved! The next best was a top needle point brand design from Japan. It took 350 grams of force to penetrate from the tip of the point to the tip of the barb. The XPoint took only 50 grams. That's Seven Times Sharper!

Surgical needles are not banged on rocks

sTony wrote:It's kind of funny to sit back and read all the negativity about something that has only just been released and that none of you, except maybe DanO and TomL, have held in your hands or looked at in person with your own eyes.

sTony

sTony,

I think it's the marketing campaign, name and the image they used for the website that's causing this. My first impression is that these hooks should come with an iron on barbed wire tattoo with every pack of hooks. Something about it to me just spells "douche-bag" with the image they choose.

I guess it's not hitting home with me since that image reminds me of all the "DB's" driving wake-board boats out on the Delta messing up my water from Memorial Day to Labor Day that kind of rubs me the wrong way. These may be the best hooks on the market, but for some reason I saw the reference on Bassfan.com, saw the website when they launched and as a bass fisherman this sort of turned me off.

I don't know... maybe it's just me feeling this way. But that's just the gut feeling I felt before even seeing the product in person. Multiply that by the increased price point and it only amplifies the skepticism. Personally I think the only reason we pay so much for the high dollar crankbaits, etc is that they seem "exotic" and not mass produced. The quality is consistent and they are hard to get. Plus we expect to pay more for something that was imported due to tariff's. If they had come out with a Japanese sounding name I'm willing to bet that I'd be all over these so long as the Pro's involved kept referring to it as something top secret. Almost like their campaign was like they were letting the good slip out accidentally to a reporter, etc.


Putting all marketing gimmicks aside as a hook I'll still check them out and put it through the paces but on a limited scope due to the price point. Money is tight these days and a whole lot of things that used to be considered luxuries that I couldn't live without are now on my list of things I can live without. Unfortunately more and more of those items tend to come from my fishing expenses & restaurant expenses section in Quickbooks.

Calm Down folks...thanks Tony for putting the info out there....that is all that it is...info...god, bad, otherwise...just info...no need to get panties in a wad...lol

On a side note, did any of your guys see the History Channel episode on how Samurai Swords are made? I have a feeling a lot of the same concepts that were used to make these hooks could easily be related to the process of samurai swords. This may have played better with the marketing campaign even though it's an American made product.

I don't think anyone is bashing the product. People are just shocked by the price. Are they worth the $$$? that is the questions...Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to really find out.

just for comparison....

TroKar - EWG - $9.99 (5? pack) 1.99 per hook (price from a site currently selling them)
Gami - EWG - 2.69 (6 pack) .44 per hook
Yamamoto Sugoi Hook - 5.99 (10 pack) .59 per hook
Mustad EWG - 3.19 (5 pacK) .64 per hook
Owner Wide Gap - 3.19 (5 pack) .64 per hook
XCalibur Tx3 - 2.59 (5 pack) .52 per hook
Youvella Offset Wide Gap - 2.99 (5 pack) .60 per hook

4x more per hook. I'm sure some will be willing to spend it but I know I can't.

*prices taken from TW

one side note: I'm surprised no one has commented on how similar they are in shape to some hooks already on the market. They seem to only be marketing the NEW point.

sTony wrote:It's kind of funny to sit back and read all the negativity about something that has only just been released and that none of you, except maybe DanO and TomL, have held in your hands or looked at in person with your own eyes.

sTony

Thank you Tony for putting up the information about these hooks. I for one can't wait to get my hands on a few and take a look at them. I have been looking for a long time for a good AMERICAN MADE hook! The only ones that I have been able to find so far in a large number of sizes and styles is Eagle Claw. Now I am not bashing Eagle Claw at all so don't get me wrong, but it’s nice to see another AMERICAN MADE hook on the market. Now I am sure that someone on here will point out another manufacture and say they are made in the USA, so I will probably have to eat crow on that one.

My point to this is simply this...

I would be glad to spend my hard earned AMERICAN DOLLARS on a product that is made right here in the USA. However, I am in no position to come on here and bash TroKar hooks because I have not seen them with my own eyes. I am sure that Gene will have these hooks in stock in the next few weeks and when he does I will take a look at them.

Lets support those companies who manufacture right here in the USA, and yes to those who are going to point it out to me, I do own things made in other Countries. The shirt and pants I am wearing right now where made in Taiwan, so what!

Keep up the good work Tony!

Okay I will get off my soapbox now, and let the bashing begin.

Good fishing,

TDawg

I admit that I'm bashing them a little. I was slightly turned off by their aggressive marketing and overly built up product launch.

I think its great that these hooks are made here in the US. However the proposed retail price for these hooks is ridiculous and tarnishes the fact that their product is made in the US. We can manufacture products for nearly the same price as many other moderately advanced countries.

We will see many new developments in cutting technology in the future. The source for these new geometries is coming from the study of insects and animal teeth. Most of these advancements will be used to improve medical devices.

Brian D. wrote: The results surprised everyone involved! The next best was a top needle point brand design from Japan. It took 350 grams of force to penetrate from the tip of the point to the tip of the barb. The XPoint took only 50 grams. That's Seven Times Sharper!

And maybe a seven times larger hole for your hook to slip out of.

Brian D. wrote:what is the difference between this new hook and the X-Point hook?

--------------------

Brian,
Do they come in any other flavors besides cinnamon?

Eric,
Do they come in any other colors, to match your hair? Now that would be worth paying for.

Any hook, reel, rod, or line that's this much more expensive than the market (like the Shimano DE and the Steez) is going to get a lot of push back just for that fact alone.
We'll probably find out the secret parent company is a bank that's using TARP money to launch their new product line. The price is high, but financing is available, at adjustable rates.

I find the negativity really odd regarding these hooks. IF you are fishing with $1000 to $4000 invested in an entry fee plus expenses and these hooks are that much better then why not. I am sure that each of you that are negative about this product has a $40 swimbait, $250 to $350 rod, $7 dollar tungsten weight that weighs an ounce and half, won't a lead weight that weighs an ounce and half work????

One guy questioned the hooks and then has a sponsor link to $30 dollar fishing line on his page.....one guy is turned off by the aggressiveness of the ad campaign but is he turned off by a tournament circuit paying $35,000 more if you are using their boat and you have to buy it new at retail but there pro staff is eligable for the same prize.

Is this the hook you need to compete on the Wednesday turkey shots? Probably not but they are going to have a place in your tackle boxes.......right next to your thousands of dollars of swimbaits that you haven't caught on one.......

C'mon guys!
kb

"I think it's the marketing campaign, name and the image they used for the website that's causing this. My first impression is that these hooks should come with an iron on barbed wire tattoo with every pack of hooks. Something about it to me just spells "douche-bag" with the image they choose. "

Vince I'm loving that... hahaha

Compliments of our friend GKramer.

http://kramergonefishing.com/

My 5/0 Flipping hooks arrived in the mail today! all 5 packs!