Gamakatsu Circle Hooks Review: Nautilus & Octopus [Saltwater Designs]

As a leader in the manufacturing of quality fishing hooks, Gamakatsu is another company that claims its origins from Japan. Gamakatsu Circle Hooks apply the same dedication to perfection anglers have come to expect since their inception in 1955. Heading up the pack of effective saltwater hooks are the Gamakatsu Nautilus and Octopus designs. With a shape intent on hooking fish in the corner of the mouth, they offer several versions that will land your catch. Tighten your lines to the following review and soak in the qualities of these poignant saltwater hooks.

Gamakatsu Circle Hooks

Product: Gamakatsu Circle Hooks – Octopus, Nautilus & other saltwater circle hook designs.

Overall Ranking: 90 out of 100.

Price: High middle to lower high range.

Company/Owner: Gamakatsu USA, Inc.

Website: Gamakatsu.com.

Intro To Gamakatsu Circle Hooks

While other hook manufacturers come up with fancy names for their shanks and points, Gamakatsu keeps it simple. But their special processes, purity in material, and attention to detail are far from elementary. Like other top name brands, Gamakatsu produces several circle hook designs. Each serves a distinct purpose to cover most, if not all, saltwater encounters. Follow along with the detailed explanations of several different Gamakatsu Circle Hooks. Learn their specs and pack sizes as well as their overall features.

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Gamakatsu Circle Hook Models, Specs, & Features

Models

Gamakatsu Nautilus Circle Hooks

The flagship of Gamakatsu Circle Hooks, the unique shape of the Nautilus makes it stand out from other models. A forged shank of high carbon steel wire leads into a less than round curve as it completes its arc. Gamakatsu Nautilus Circle Hooks make a perfect fit in the corner of the jaw with their deep, far pocketed throat.

Anglers make use of these heavy gauge wire hooks with live or chunk bait. The one black color scheme is available in a wide range of sizes which prepares fishermen for any number of saltwater species. Finally, Gamakatsu applies a finish of nickel and silver which protects the Nautilus hooks from corrosion and helps to hide their presence.

specs

Gamakatsu Nautilus Circle Hooks are available in sizes as small as #1 and as large as 6/0. Anglers can pick them up in small quantities or by the bulk pack. See the full details below:

• #1 – 8 or 25 Per Pack  |  1/0 – 7 or 25 Per Pack
• 2/0 – 7 or 25 Per Pack  |  3/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack
• 4/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack  |  5/0 – 5 or 25 Per Pack
• 6/0 – 5 or 25 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Nautilus Solid Ring Circle Hooks

The solid rings through the eyes of Nautilus Circle Hooks provide a pivot point which aids the action of live bait. By taking some of the pressure from a pulling fish, rings make the entire hook structure stronger. The pivot point also helps minimize wear and tear around the puncture area where the hook can rub. Solid ringed versions carry all the features and benefits of the standard Nautilus Circle Hooks.

specs

Like the non-ringed models, each hook comes in black color with a nickel/silver finish. Gamakatsu Solid Ring Nautilus Circle Hooks come in sizes 2/0 through 6/0 with choices of small or bulk packages. Check the details below:

• 2/0 – 5 or 25 Per Pack  |  3/0 – 5 or 25 Per Pack
• 4/0 – 4 or 25 Per Pack  |  5/0 – 4 or 25 Per Pack
• 6/0 – 4 or 25 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Nautilus Light Circle Hook

Because not all bait is the same, Gamakatsu manufactures the Nautilus Light Circle Hook. The heavier wire of the standard, HD, and Super Nautilus can hinder the action of live bait to the point where they no longer attract game fish. Using the same circular design, Gamakatsu Nautilus Light Circle Hooks enable weaker baitfish to swim naturally. These hooks consist of the same High Carbon Steel and Nickel/Silver Black Finish as the other Nautilus labels.

specs

Nautilus Light Circle Hooks come as small as a size #2 and as large as 8/0. They are available only in smaller quantities with the following details.

• #2 – 8 Per Pack  |  #1 – 8 Per Pack
• 1/0 – 7 Per Pack  |  2/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 3/0 – 5 Per Pack  |  4/0 – 5 Per Pack
• 5/0 – 4 Per Pack  |  6/0 – 3 Per Pack
• 7/0 – 3 Per Pack  |  8/0 – 3 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Nautilus HD Circle Hooks

Moving up in wire strength, the Nautilus HD is a heavy duty circle hook perfect for larger sardines or mackerel. It has a thicker wire diameter than the standard Nautilus but it’s not as beefy as the Super Nautilus. Gamakatsu makes the Nautilus HD out of pure quality High Carbon Steel and they come with the Nickel/Silver Black Finish.

specs

Gamakatsu Nautilus HD Circle Hooks are available in sizes 2/0 through 6/0. Anglers can grab them by the bulk or in smaller hook packs. Check the sizes and quantities below:

• 2/0 – 7 or 25 Per Pack  |  3/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack
• 4/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack  |  5/0 – 5 or 25 Per Pack
• 6/0 – 5 or 25 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Super Nautilus Circle Hooks

Using the heaviest wire in the Nautilus Circle Hook series, the Super Nautilus is fit for extra large tuna and other beasts of the ocean. By necessity, anglers move up to larger live bait or bury the hooks in bigger chunks. The same Nickel/Silver Black Finish helps hide the hooks and protects them from corrosion. Bring out the heavy gear using these High Carbon Steel hooks which are forged for extra strength.

specs

Gamakatsu Super Nautilus Circle Hooks come in sizes starting at 4/0 and going as high as 11/0. They are available to anglers in small packs which come in the following amounts by size.

• 4/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  5/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 6/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  7/0 – 5 Per Pack
• 8/0 – 4 Per Pack  |  9/0 – 4 Per Pack
• 10/0 – 3 Per Pack  |  11/0 – 2 Per Pack

Gamakatsu 1 X Strong Outbarb Octopus Circle Hooks

A light wire hook perfect for bottom jigging or chunking bait, the 1 X Strong Octopus Outbarb Circle Hook has a unique design. Through testing and feedback, Gamakatsu shows why the “Outbarb” works so well. The barb on the outside of the circle hook is in a much better position to catch and prevent the hook from slipping out.

Great for small to medium inshore species, Gamakatsu 1 X Strong Outbarb Circle Hooks consist of High Carbon Steel. They come in one color with the Nickel/Silver Black Finish, and with an offset-eye are ready for the snell knot.

specs

Gamakatsu manufactures their 1 X Strong Outbarb Octopus Circle Hooks in sizes 3/0 through 12/0. They are available in small quantity packs according to the following details by size.

• 3/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  4/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 5/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  6/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 7/0 – 5 Per Pack  |  8/0 – 5 Per Pack
• 10/0 – 3 Per Pack  |  12/0 – 3 Per Pack 

Gamakatsu Octopus Inline Point Circle Hooks

In the Octopus design and with a standard wire diameter, these inline point circle hooks meet most tournament regulations. Their non-offset points form a ninety-degree angle back towards the shank. Good for tying the snell knot with their offset eyes, Gamakatsu Octopus Inline Point Circle Hooks consist of High Carbon Steel. The Nickel/Silver Black Finish protects the hooks from rust and hides them in saltwater. Alternatively, choose the same hook in red which hides well in injured or cut bait.

Specs

Gamakatsu Octopus Inline Point Circle Hooks are available in sizes as small as #4 and large as 8/0. They come in small quantity packages in the following details by size.

Nickel/Silver Black

• #4 – 10 Per Pack  |  #2 – 8 Per Pack
• #1 – 8 Per Pack  |  1/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 2/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  3/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 4/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  5/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 6/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  7/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 8/0 – 6 Per Pack

Red

• #4 – 10 Per Pack  |  #2 – 8 Per Pack
• #1 – 8 Per Pack  |  1/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 2/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  3/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 4/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  5/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 6/0 – 5 Per Pack  |  7/0 – 5 Per Pack
• 8/0 – 4 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Octopus Offset Point Circle Hooks

While inline circle hooks are suitable for tournament use, versions with offset points have a higher strike to hookup ratio. Gamakatsu Octopus Offset Point Circle Hooks feature the same characteristics as the inline version above. They consist of High Carbon Steel and have the Nickel/Silver Black Finish. Anglers have more options in smaller end sizes with these standard wire hooks.

specs

Gamakatsu Octopus Offset Point Circle Hooks come in sizes as small as a #8 and large as 8/0. Anglers can find them in small or bulk quantity packs with the following details by size.

• #8 – 10 or 25 Per Pack  |  #6 – 10 or 25 Per Pack
• #4 – 10 or 25 Per Pack  |  #2 – 8 or 25 Per Pack
• #1 – 8 or 25 Per Pack  |  1/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack
• 2/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack  |  3/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack
• 4/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack  |  5/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack
• 6/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack  |  7/0- 6 or 25 Per Pack
• 8/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Octopus Straight Eye Inline Point Circle Hooks

Using a straight eye instead of the offset-eye design, these Octopus circle hooks are effective for live bait offshore use. They feature all the same high-quality attributes as the offset-eye designs, without the bend for the snell knot. Also suitable for Billfish Tournament use with an inline point, they work to hook gamefish in the corner of the mouth. With a standard size wire, the Octopus Straight Eye Inline Point Circle Hooks consist of High Carbon Steel and come in the Nickel/Silver Black Finish.

specs

Anglers can acquire Gamakatsu Octopus Straight Eye Inline Point Circle Hooks as small as a size #6 or large as an 8/0. Gamakatsu packages these hooks in small, bulk, or mass bulk quantities in certain sizes. Check the full details by size below:

• #6 – 10 or 25 Per Pack  |  #4 – 10 or 25 Per Pack
• #2 – 8 or 25 Per Pack  |  #1 – 8 or 25 Per Pack
• 1/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack  |  2/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack
• 3/0 – 6, 25, or 100 Per Pack  |  4/0 – 6, 25, or 100 Per Pack
• 5/0 – 6, 25, or 100 Per Pack  |  6/0 – 6, 25, or 100 Per Pack
• 7/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack  |  8/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Octopus 4 X Strong Straight Eye Inline Point Circle Hooks

Going after big game fish on the ocean requires a hook that can withstand the abuse. The extra-heavy wire of the Octopus 4 X Strong Circle Hook can handle the beating that tuna, billfish, wahoo, and other monster species thrash out. With a straight-eye design, these inline hooks work for larger live or chunk bait. They meet most tournament regulations due to their inline design. Octopus 4 X Strong Straight Eye Inline Point Circle Hooks consist of High Carbon Steel with the Gamakatsu Nickel/Silver Black Finish.

specs

Gamakatsu manufactures the Octopus 4 X Strong Straight Eye Inline Point Circle Hooks in sizes as small as 1/0 and as large as 10/0. They are available in small quantity packages only in the following details by size:

• 1/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  2/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 3/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  4/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 5/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  6/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 7/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  8/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 9/0 – 5 Per Pack  |  10/0 – 5 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Octopus 4 X Strong Straight Eye Offset Point Circle Hooks

Tie the Octopus 4 X Strong Stright Eye Offset Point Circle Hook on against those true giants of the ocean. Suitable for non-tournament fishing, the offset point increases the ratio of hookups per strike. Like all the other Gamakatsu Circle Hooks, the intention is to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth. These straight-eye hooks have all the same attributes of the inline point hooks above but carry the offset point.

specs

Gamakatsu Octopus 4 X Strong Straight Eye Offset Point Circle Hooks are available in sizes 1/0 through 8/0. Pick them up in small quantity packs or bulk packs in certain sizes. See the list below for full details by size:

• 1/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  2/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 3/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  4/0 – 6 Per Pack
• 5/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack  |  6/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack
• 7/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack  |  8/0 – 6 or 25 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Heavy Duty Live Bait Circle Hooks

These are extra heavy wire hooks that specialize in the presentation of live bait. They follow the design of the Gamakatsu Live Bait Hook but with an inline point circle shape. You’ll find the same High Carbon Steel material makeup and Nickel/Silver Black Finish as with the majority of Gamakatsu Circle Hooks. Starting large in size, Heavy Duty Live Bait Circle Hooks require larger chunk or bigger live bait to conceal their presence.

specs

Gamakatsu produces their Heavy Duty Live Bait Circle Hooks in larger sizes beginning with a 5/0 and going as big as 12/0. Packages come in small quantities only. Check below for the full details by size:

• 5/0 – 6 Per Pack  |  6/0 – 5 Per pack
• 7/0 – 5 Per Pack  |  8/0 – 4 Per Pack
• 9/0 – 3 Per Pack  |  10/0 – 3 Per Pack
• 11/0 – 2 Per Pack  |  12/0 – 2 Per Pack

Gamakatsu Big Eye Circle Hooks

Big Eye Circle Hooks by Gamakatsu follow the design of the standard circle hook but use heavy wire. They consist of High Carbon Steel and switch to a Tin Finish instead of the Nickel/Silver Black of the other circle hook models. Like nickel, tin protects the steel hook from saltwater corrosion and is dull to the reflection of light. The feature of Big Eye Circle Hooks is exactly as their name suggests. They have an enlarged eye for threading heavier mono or fluorocarbon fishing line.

specs

Gamakatsu makes their Big Eye Circle Hooks in sizes 6/0 through 12/0. They are available to anglers in small packs only and with the following details by size:

• 6/0 – 5 Per Pack  |  7/0 – 4 Per Pack
• 8/0 – 4 Per Pack  |  9/0 – 3 Per Pack
• 10/0 – 3 Per Pack  |  11/0 – 2 Per Pack
• 12/0 – 2 Per Pack

Features Of Gamakatsu Circle Hooks

High Purity High Carbon Steel 

From the very start, Gamakatsu uses the purest material available for the construction of their circle hooks. Many fishing hook manufacturers use High Carbon Steel for their wire but fall short due to impurities. When a weakness in one small section of the hook can mean losing a prize fish, purity is clearly an important feature.

Advanced Tempering System

Gamakatsu Circle Hooks go through a multi-step tempering process which adds strength to the wire. By finding the proper balance of heat in a computer controlled setting, Gamakatsu ensures their hooks have the strength to carry the load. Only the correct tempering process will imbue the wire with the property that bends under extreme stress instead of snapping. Through years of testing, Gamakatsu has the process wired. Pun intended.

Proprietary Sharpening Process

Gamakatsu Circle Hooks pierce with ease due to their extremely sharp conical points. Once again, Gamakatsu puts their experience to work with computer precision to produce a perfectly conical point. Their proprietary sharpening process, along with the use of pure material and balanced tempering, produces incredibly sharp hook points. All the processes Gamakatsu puts into their hooks combine to ensure the points stay sharp and strong.

Black Nickel Silver Finish

With the exception of a Tin Finish on the Big Eye Circle Hooks, Gamakastu Circle Hooks feature a Nickel/Silver Black Finish. The only other color option appears in the red finish of the Octopus Inline Point Circle Hook. Finish with the nickel and silver gives the circle hook a black, lackluster appearance which a majority of saltwater anglers prefer. All three finishes protect the hooks from corrosion along with aiding in their concealment.

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Pros & Cons

Advantages

The benefits of using Gamakatsu Circle Hooks are twofold. First, hooking fish in the corner of the mouth instead of inside the mouth or in the gut increases their chances of survival. That’s if you plan on catching and releasing, which many saltwater anglers do not.

Second and perhaps more important for the big game angler also has to do with the corner of the mouth hookset. This time it’s for a different reason altogether. When your hook sets in the corner of the mouth or jaw, it keeps your line away from the teeth of the fish. Some species require a metal leader but others will wear through your line if you end up fighting them long enough.

As far as using Gamakatsu Hooks in particular, they seem to have a majority of saltwater angler’s trust over Mustad Circle Hooks. Though both companies produce quality hooks, Mustad has a few more occurrences of snapping with their heavier hook models.

Disadvantages

The most concerning of any feedback you can hear about hooks are reports of breakage while fighting a nice fish. Like Mustad, there are more than just a couple of anglers who relate experiences where their Gamakatsu Circle Hooks have broken during a battle. These breaks almost always occur right below the barb, suggesting too deep of a cut in that place. Any hook can break if it has an odd impurity, but Owner Hooks seems to have a better track record.

Most of the remaining complaints concern buying mistakes on the anglers part or shipping of the wrong type of hook. Be certain you order the point you want as certain models are illegal for reef fishing. You’ll want the inline points if this is the case. Last but not least; while circle hooks are effective for their purpose, they can miss more strikes than standard J shape hook designs.

Best Use Situations

Always be sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations in the areas you fish. Certain Gulf Coast reef fishing requires anglers use inline point circle hooks. For the purpose of catch and release fishing, circle hooks are an angler’s best bet. Fish stand a much higher chance of survival with a hook in the corner of their mouth versus the gut or inside the mouth.

Gamakatsu Circle Hooks are effective in the presentation of live or chunked bait. As the species that an angler encounters get larger in size, so do teeth that aren’t usually a concern. Teeth on smaller tuna aren’t sharp enough to compromise most fishing line in the amount of time it takes to land them. Hook a larger tuna in the gut, however, and their larger teeth can wear through the strongest fluoro, mono, or braided fishing line. Hook larger fish in the corner of the mouth with a circle hook and your line will never cross over their teeth.

Gamakatsu Customer Support

Like most hook manufacturers, Gamakatsu has a 30-day return policy. Keep in mind that individual retails have their own return policies. Should anglers have questions, feedback, or complaints, they can get a hold of a Gamakatsu representative via their Contact Us Page. It provides their physical address within the USA, phone and fax numbers, as well as their email. Also available on site are tips and videos from the Gamakatsu ProStaff, company history, new products, and other helpful information.

Conclusion 

90 out of 100 anglers approve of Gamakatsu Circle Hooks

Gamakatsu is a trusted brand and hailed by anglers as one of the top fishing hook manufacturers. It’s a dedication to using only the purest High Carbon Steel and years of refining their processes that make Gamakatsu Circle Hooks so effective. They earn a score in the ninetieth percentile as go-to circle hooks or stand-ins when your favorite choice is out of stock.

If you have any experiences using Gamakatsu Circle Hooks, anglers want to hear about it. Please leave any words of wisdom using the comment form below. FishtFight appreciates your social share and is quick to answer any questions you might have. Thanks for reading. Tight lines and salty smiles until next time!