VMC hooks are the product of the French Viellard family forge and a history that dates back over 200 years. It wasn’t until 1910, however, that they turned their forges to the production of fishing hooks. With over 100 years of experience in hook design, VMC Circle Hooks bring new technologies to the table. Technologies such as the Coastal Black Plating which helps create the most durable saltwater hooks around. Or VMC’s Vanadium steel, stronger even than wire made of high carbon steel. Catch these features, the different circle designs, as well as their specifications in the following review.
VMC Circle Hooks
Product: VMC Circle Hooks.
Overall Ranking: 91 out of 100.
Price: Mid range.
Company/Owner: VMC INC (USA) / VMC PECHE (France) – Rapala
Website: VMCPeche.com.
Intro To VMC Circle Hooks
No matter what you fish for, hooks are one of the most important pieces of tackle. Hooks must be able to pierce through cartilage and tissue, then withstand the pressures a fighting fish applies. They must absorb the initial impact and bending is always preferable to breaking. VMC Circle Hooks possess the attributes required to handle strong offshore species. Aiding in their effectiveness are processes and materials gained through decades of trial and error.
Jump down for a summary of all the different VMC Circle Hook models, as well as their size and packaging specifications. Follow that with the various features VMC packs into each hook. Features such as their proprietary Vanadium steel, which claims up to 25% more strength than standard high carbon steel. Or VMC’s specialized multi-layered plating process that gives unparalleled durability in saltwater conditions. Finish by reading about the best uses for VMC Circle Hooks as well as their customer support.
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VMC Circle Hook Models, Specs, & Features
Circle Hooks By Model
VMC Nemesis Circle Hook – 8382
The nemesis of larger gamefish, VMC designs these circle hooks to be just that. Using a 3X strong wire with a chemically sharpened and offset conical point, they consist of Vanadium Steel. Nemesis Circle Hooks feature their SureSet Cone Cut point and forged shank for maximum impact resistance. A multi-layered Coastal Black Finish offers incredible resistance to saltwater corrosion. Circle hooks in the Nemesis collection are also available with a Black Nickle or Tin Red finish.
specs
VMC makes their Nemesis Circle Hooks in sizes 1/0 through 10/0. The number of hooks per package depends on the finish. Coastal Black finished hooks come in smaller pro packs and larger value packages while Black Nickel and Tin Red finished hooks come in even larger quantity bulk packs. See below for full details.
Coastal Black
- 1/0 – 10 or 20 Per Pack | 2/0 – 9 or 20 Per Pack
- 3/0 – 9 or 20 Per Pack | 4/0 – 7 or 20 Per Pack
- 6/0 – 6 or 20 Per Pack | 8/0 – 5 or 15 Per Pack
- 10/0 – 4 or 15 Per Pack
Black Nickel & Tin Red
- 1/0 – 25 Per Pack | 2/0 – 25 Per Pack
- 3/0 – 25 Per Pack | 4/0 – 25 Per Pack
- 6/0 – 25 Per Pack | 8/0 – 25 Per Pack
- 10/0 – 25 Per Pack
VMC SureSet Circle Hook – 7381
A lighter design for smaller live bait or strip bait, VMC SureSet Circle Hooks feature a 1X strong wire. The use of Vanadium Steel allows them to land larger species in fresh or saltwater conditions. Besides the lighter wire, the SureSet differs from the Nemesis with its Needle Point. Otherwise, it uses the same straight eye, forged shank and offset point. Anglers can pick up SureSet Circle Hooks with the Coastal Black or Black Nickel Finish.
specs
VMC manufactures SureSet Circle Hooks as small as a size #6 and large as a 5/0. They come in different pro pack quantities depending on the finish or bulk 25 hook packages. Check the details below for full specifications.
Coastal Black
- #6 – 14 or 25 Per Pack | #4 – 14 or 25 Per Pack
- #2 – 14 or 25 Per Pack | #1 – 14 or 25 Per Pack
- 1/0 – 10 or 25 Per Pack | 2/0 – 10 or 25 Per Pack
- 3/0 – 10 or 25 Per Pack | 4/0 – 8 or 25 Per Pack
- 5/0 – 7 or 25 Per Pack
Black Nickel
- #6 – 16 or 25 Per Pack | #4 – 16 or 25 Per Pack
- #2 – 16 or 25 Per Pack | #1 – 16 or 25 Per Pack
- 1/0 – 12 or 25 Per Pack | 2/0 – 12 or 25 Per Pack
- 3/0 – 12 or 25 Per Pack | 4/0 – 9 or 25 Per Pack
- 5/0 – 8 or 25 Per Pack
VMC Sport Circle Hook – 7384
Ready your snell knots with the turned up eye of the VMC Sport Circle Hook. These 1X strong light wire hooks work well for smaller live, chunked, or stripped bait. They feature a long forged shank made out of Vanadium Steel and an offset Needle Point. Choices of finish are available in Coastal Black, Black Nickel, or Tin Red.
specs
VMC Sport Circle Hooks come in sizes starting as small as a #6 and go up to 5/0. Bulk packs of 25 are available in all finishes while quantities in the smaller pro packs differ by each finish. Check the list below for complete details.
Coastal Black
- #6 – 14 or 25 Per Pack | #4 – 14 or 25 Per Pack
- #2 – 14 or 25 Per Pack | #1 – 14 or 25 Per Pack
- 1/0 – 10 or 25 Per Pack | 2/0 – 10 or 25 Per Pack
- 3/0 – 10 or 25 Per Pack | 4/0 – 8 or 25 Per Pack
- 5/0 – 7 or 25 Per Pack
Black Nickel
- #6 – 16 or 25 Per Pack | #4 – 16 or 25 Per Pack
- #2 – 16 or 25 Per Pack | #1 – 16 or 25 Per Pack
- 1/0 – 12 or 25 Per Pack | 2/0 – 12 or 25 Per Pack
- 3/0 – 12 or 25 Per Pack | 4/0 – 9 or 25 Per Pack
- 5/0 – 8 or 25 Per Pack
Tin Red
- #6 – 15 or 25 Per Pack | #4 – 15 or 25 Per Pack
- #2 – 15 or 25 Per Pack | #1 – 15 or 25 Per Pack
- 1/0 – 11 or 25 Per Pack | 2/0 – 11 or 25 Per Pack
- 3/0 – 11 or 25 Per Pack | 4/0 – 8 or 25 Per Pack
- 5/0 – 7 or 25 Per Pack
VMC Circle Hook – 9788
Gear up for giants when using these 6X strong wire, large model circle hooks. The VMC Circle Hook makes some changes from the other designs they produce. Instead of Vanadium Steel, they turn to High Carbon Steel with a Perma Steel Finish. VMC makes sure the eyes on these hooks are big enough to thread thick monofilament or fluoro line. The hook design includes an offset cut point to maximize hookup ratios.
specs
VMC Circle Hooks are available in larger 11/0 through 16/0 sizes and in the one Perma Steel Finish. Being larger in size and cost, they come in smaller pro pack quantities of 10 each. See the size details below.
- 11/0 – 10 Per Pack | 12/0 – 10 Per Pack
- 13/0 – 10 Per Pack | 14/0 – 10 Per Pack
- 15/0 – 10 Per Pack | 16/0 – 10 Per Pack
VMC 1X Strong Extra-Wide Gap Tournament Circle Hook – 7385
Saltwater billfish tournament and reef anglers turn to VMC Circle Hooks with several designs to choose from. Starting the collection is the light wire extra-wide gap circle hook. Fully approved for Gulf Coast and Hawaii tournament use, these hooks use an inline (non-offset) Needle Point. The extra width of the gap increases hookups when trolling live bait while the forged Vanadium Steel material holds up to the battle.
specs
VMC 7385 Circle Hooks come in sizes 5/0 through 9/0 in small pro packs or larger bulk quantity packages. Anglers can choose between the Coastal Black or Black Nickel Finish in packs according to the following details.
Coastal Black or Black Nickel
- 5/0 – 7 or 50 Per Pack | 6/0 – 7 or 50 Per Pack
- 7/0 – 7 or 50 Per Pack | 8/0 – 7 or 50 Per Pack
- 9/0 – 6 or 50 Per Pack in Coastal Black – 7 or 50 Per Pack in Black Nickel
VMC 1X Strong Tournament Circle Hook – 7387
For small to medium size live bait, these tournament-approved circle hooks feature the inline point to meet tournament regulations. VMC forges their Vanadium Steel to max strength and finishes it with a dense Needle Point. A standard in tournament circle hooks, options are available with the Coastal Black or Black Nickel plating.
specs
VMC 1X Strong Tournament Circle Hooks range in size from a #1 to a 4/0. Pick them up in small pro packs only according to their size and finish. View the full specs below.
Coastal Black
- #1 – 14 Per Pack | 1/0 – 10 Per Pack
- 2/0 – 10 Per Pack | 3/0 – 10 Per Pack
- 4/0 – 8 Per Pack
Black Nickel
- #1 – 16 Per Pack | 1/0 – 12 Per Pack
- 2/0 – 12 Per Pack | 3/0 – 12 Per Pack
- 4/0 – 9 Per Pack
VMC 3X Strong Tournament Circle Hook – 8386
As the size of the bait and target species increases, so too must the wire of the hook. The 3X Strong wire of these VMC Circle Hooks can handle larger size species including tuna, marlin, sailfish, swordfish, sharks, and many others. Fully approved for billfish and reef tournament use with their non-offset point, they consist of strong Vanadium Steel. VMC turns to their Cone Cut Point for its combination of sharpness and strength in the 3X Strong Tournament Circle Hook model.
specs
VMC 3X Strong Tournament Circle Hooks are available with the Coastal Black or Black Nickel Finish and in sizes 2/0 through 10/0. Choose between bulk or smaller quantity pro packs which come according to the following details.
Coastal Black
- 2/0 – 9 or 20 Per Pack | 3/0 – 9 or 20 Per Pack
- 4/0 – 7 or 20 Per Pack | 6/0 – 6 or 20 Per Pack
- 8/0 – 5 or 15 Per Pack | 10/0 – 4 or 15 Per Pack
Black Nickel
- 2/0 – 25 Per Pack | 3/0 – 25 Per Pack
- 4/0 – 25 Per Pack | 6/0 – 25 Per Pack
- 8/0 – 25 Per Pack | 10/0 – 25 Per Pack
VMC 6X Strong Perma Steel Finish Tournament Circle Hook – 5789
Going after Grander and other gargantuan class fish requires the thickest wire hooks possible. The first of two different models, this 6X Tournament Circle Hook features Vanadium Steel with Perma Steel Finish. The non-offset Cone Cut Point works for large bait trolling presentations or extra-large chunk bait. Approved for Billfish & Reef Tournament use, it’s more than capable of enduring the stress of a trophy catch due to its strengthened forged shank.
specs
VMC 6X Strong Perma Steel Finish Circle Hooks come in sizes 12/0 through 18/0. Quantities are available by what VMC calls their smaller I Pack or mass bulk A Pack. Check the details below for full specs by size.
- 12/0 – 10 or 100 Per Pack | 14/0 – 10 or 100 Per Pack
- 16/0 – 10 or 100 Per Pack | 18/0 – 10 or 100 Per Pack
VMC 6X Strong High Carbon Steel Tournament Circle Hook – 9789
The second of the VMC 6X Strong Tournament Circle Hook models, these make a material change to High Carbon Steel. They offer incredible strength with a forged shank and are tournament ready due to the inline point design. VMC features the Coastal Black finish for its concealment and corrosive resistant qualities in these beefed up Cone Cut Point circle hooks.
specs
Like the Perma Steel 6X models, the VMC High Carbon Steel 6X Tournament Circle Hooks come in small or mass quantity packages. Get them in the Coastal Black Finish in sizes 12/0 through 18/0. View the full specs by size below.
- 12/0 – 10 or 100 Per Pack | 14/0 – 10 or 100 Per Pack
- 16/0 – 10 or 100 Per Pack | 18/0 – 10 or 100 Per Pack
Key Features
Vanadium or High Carbon Steel
While a couple of VMC Circle Hook models consist of High Carbon Steel, most are made of Vanadium Steel. The properties of Vanadium Steel allows VMC to forge their wires to incredibly high tensile strengths. At the same time, they weigh much less than other types of steel. Vanadium Steel hooks have a higher impact resistance and are up to 25% stronger than standard hooks.
VMC uses High Carbon Steel in one of the 6X Strong Tournament Circle Hook models as well as in the 9788 Circle Hook. Most high-end hook manufacturers prefer High Carbon Steel for their saltwater collection. It holds the sharpness of the point and has great strength through the forging process.
Cone Cut or Needle Point
Depending on the circle hook of choice, VMC features a Cone Cut or a Needle Point. A close look at the Cone Cut Point shows the perfectly conical Needle Point tip. The Needle Point by itself doesn’t have the cut triangular arches that lead up to the tip. Big game anglers often prefer the triangular tip for its ability to pierce, then slice through to finish the hookset.
Whichever point you prefer, VMC processes ensure an unmatched level of sharpness and strength that won’t fold or snap. They accomplish this by forging the wire then compressing instead of cutting the point. Compression adds a higher density or mass of metal at the tip, making the point ultra-strong.
Fully Forged Shanks
VMC applies their proprietary heating process once they form the wire of the hook. The steps involved with forging the shank add strength to the metal and shape of the hook. VMC uses just the right temperature to give the hooks flex under pressure instead of breaking.
Coastal Black, Black Nickel, Perma Steel, & Tin Red Finish/Plating
Anglers have a few different choices of finish within the VMC Circle Hook collection. By far the most effective for resistance against corrosion is the Coastal Black Finish. VMC applies several layers of the metallic black finish for both durability and the ultimate defense against rust. Just a step down in performance from the Coastal Black is the Black Nickel Finish. It has a similar black color that hides so well in open saltwater and the use of nickel adds a strong resistance to corrosion.
For anglers that prefer the red color of an injured baitfish, there are a few VMC Circle Hooks that can oblige. The Tin Red Finish is a blend that gives the hook its blood color while also protecting it from rust. Tin is another useful metal for its non-corrosive characteristic. Finally, a couple of models feature the VMC Perma Steel Finish. This special coating seals the hook thus keeping saltwater out. It offers up to 1000 hours of exposure to saltwater without showing signs of oxidation.
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Pros & Cons Of VMC Circle Hooks
Pros
Going by feedback from anglers both online and in the real world, VMC Circle Hooks offer a top product for the cost. The use of Vanadium Steel means that fishermen can use a lighter wire hook than they normally would tie on and get away with it. Having different options for the finish of the hook is another factor to consider and something most hook companies don’t do. There are very few reports of VMC hooks breaking and anglers trust their many years of experience in fishing hook manufacturing.
Cons
Though a majority of saltwater anglers seem to prefer VMC Circle Hooks over Mustad, Gamakatsu, or Trokar, they don’t meet the very highest standard. While VMC hooks hold top value for effectiveness vs cost, many anglers still jump to Owner Hooks as the superior manufacturer.
The only real complaint in design that comes up has to do with the size of the VMC barb. Some reports suggest it’s too small to be truly effective in securing your hookset. Finally. VMC doesn’t offer any ringed circle hooks as other makers do. Rings can help add action to live bait, provide a pivot point on the hookset, while taking some of the stress off the hook itself.
Effective Uses / Best Fishing Methods
VMC Circle Hooks work like any other circle hook. Their intention is to avoid piercing the gut or anywhere else inside the mouth of the fish. Though they don’t always work as intended, more often than not they hook the fish in the corner of the mouth. For catch and release anglers, this greatly increases the chances of survival for the fish. For sport and commercial anglers, the circle hook helps ensure the catch on larger, toothier species. It does this because when the hook sets in the jaw of the fish, your line never enters its mouth.
VMC Customer Support
Customer support is available to anglers via the VMCpeche website. For anglers in the United States, scroll down from the top of the VMC Contact Page to find the contact info of the USA Sales Office. While on the website, it’s a good opportunity to read about the different VMC technologies, steel materials, or their rich company history. There’s also a section where VMC provides tips and test results performed on their various hook designs.
The Final Point
91 out of 100 anglers approve of VMC Circle Hooks
VMC Circle Hooks stand out for their overall design and effectiveness. They may not sit at the very top of the hill as far as hook manufacturer ratings are concerned. As for how they perform versus the cost, VMC easily makes the ninetieth percentile for saltwater circle hooks. If you have any personal experiences with their use or further questions, please speak up using the comment form below. Thanks for consuming another sharp review and tight lines until next time. FishtFight.com.
