Terminal tackle is where the rubber meets the road. Hooks, sinkers, jigheads, and the assorted other bits and pieces that get the job done whether you’re fishing with artificial’s or live bait—these really are the tools of the trade. We sorted through this year’s crop from ICAST and brought you the highlights.
BKK HOOKS ARMOR POINT PERMALOCK WEIGHTED HOOKS
BKK’s Armor Point Permalock Weighted Hooks were designed for finesse baits including stick worms and fluke-style lures. The cold-forged shank features a super-slide coating for faster penetration, but the start of the show is the tungsten nail keeper that adds weight and locks in baits. Embossed with the weight for easy identification, the keeper’s location at the front of the boost ensures a natural motion, and the fluorocarbon barbs won’t pull out. Available in 1/0 through 5/0 sizes.
MSRP: $7.99 – $10.99
BKK HOOKS ARMOR POINT PERMALOCK HOOKS
BKK’s Armor Point Permalock Hooks were designed for finesse baits including stick worms and fluke-style lures, with an improved keeper design that won’t pull out. The cold-forged shank features a super-slide coating for faster penetration. Available in 1/0 through 5/0 sizes.
MSRP: $5.99
BKK HOOKS ARMOR POINT HEAVY COVER HOOKS
BKK designed their Armor Point Heavy Cover Hooks with an epoxy-sealed eye to avoid line slippage and a stainless steel keeper that holds baits tight through even the thickest stuff. The cold-forged shank features a super-slide coating for faster penetration and an extra-short needle point for improved strength. Available in 2/0 through 5/0 sizes.
MSRP: $6.99
BKK HOOKS HYPER LATCH 70-SS UL TREBLE HOOKS
BKK’s new Hyper Latch 70-SS UL light wire treble hooks are designed to keep jerkbaits perfectly balanced while upping hook up ratios. The distinctive acute bottom angle improves landing ratios, as well. The cold-forged shank features a super-slide coating for faster penetration and a longer point for improved retention. Available in 8 through 2 sizes.
MSRP: $9.99
BKK HOOKS OFFSET WORM WG HOOKS
BKK built an enhanced Z-bend into their EWG hooks for easier rigging and an improved bait angle. The cold-forged shank features a super-slide coating and an extra-sharp needle point for faster penetration. You can rig just about anything on this one, thanks to the extra wide gap. Available in size 2 through 6/0.
MSRP: $5.99
BKK HOOKS OFFSET WORM WG-HD 2X HOOKS
Need a super-beefy EWG hook? Check out BKK Hooks new Offset Worm WG-HD model, built 2x strong to handle the biggest fish—and baits. The cold-forged shank features a super-slide coating and an extra-sharp needle point for faster penetration, and an epoxy-sealed eye to avoid line slippage. You can rig the gnarliest creature baits on this, thanks to the extra wide gap. Available in size 2/0 through 6/0.
MSRP: $5.99
BKK HOOKS OFFSET ROUND BEND WORM HOOKS
BKK designed their Offset Round Bend Worm Hooks for thinner-profile soft plastics. The cold-forged shank features a super-slide coating and an extra-sharp needle point for faster penetration. This one is ideal for stick baits and finesse worms. Available in size 1 through 5/0.
MSRP: $5.99
BKK HOOKS DROPSHOT HOOKS
BKK wanted to optimize the movement of nose-hooked baits such as worms or other finesse profiles when fishing vertically, so they designed the new Dropshot hook. The new shape features a longer point to stay stuck throughout the fight. The cold-forged shank features a super-slide coating for faster penetration. This one is ideal for stick baits and finesse worms. Available in size 4 through 2/0.
MSRP: $4.99
BKK HOOKS DROPSHOT LONG SHANK HOOKS
BKK developed the Long Shank Dropshot hook with a fluorocarbon keeper that allows weedless rigging of your favorite dropshot baits. The cold-forged shank features a super-slide coating for faster penetration and a new, longer hook point for better fish-holding abilities. An epoxy-sealed eye helps avoid line slippage. Available in size 2 through 3/0.
MSRP: $6.99
BKK HOOKS PERMALOCK TUNGSTEN NAIL KEEPER
BKK’s Permalock Tungsten Nail Keeper offers anglers a small footprint that easily disappears into even tiny baits, providing the weight they need to enhance the actions of their favorite baits. A spring attachment point works with just about any hook, and the fluorocarbon line keeper locks soft plastics in place. The weight is embossed into the keeper for easy identification. Available in four sizes.
MSRP: $6.99
GREAT LAKES FINESSE STEALTH FOOTBALL HEAD
The Great Lakes Finesse Stealth Football Head has a no-chip matte finish, oversized bait keeper, and is built around a super sharp, fine wire 1/0 Gamakatsu 604 hook that can handle the biggest fish in the lake. Pair this premium finesse football head with your favorite soft plastic and get ready.
MSRP: $6.99
GAMAKATSU WORM 34R HYDROLL
Designed by Japanese angler Mr. Takeru Tomimoto for use on Lake Biwa in Japan, the Gamakatsu Worm 34R Hydroll is now available for the North American market. This compact, narrow gap hook should be ideal for scat and fluke style baits, with an integrated swivel that reduces line twist. Gamakatsu says it also helps reduce snags to fish in cover more effectively.Constructed of Gamakatsu’s high strength, premium Tournament Grade Wire (TGW) which is thinner, stronger, and sharper than traditional wire. This innovative new design allows anglers to embed half of the swivel into the soft plastic, adding weight without the need for additional sinkers. Available in 5/0 and 6/0.
MSRP: $6.99
GAMAKATSU CRANKBAIT CIRCLE
“I believe using CrankBaits in heavy cover is an untapped angling opportunity for several species,” says legendary angler Bill Dance. “I designed this hook specifically for CrankBaits in heavy cover and I have been thrilled with how well it works.” Dance designed Gamakatsu’s CrankBait Circle, a new concept in CrankBait hooks which allows an angler to easily fish a plug in and around cover with less chance of hanging up. Incorporating the circle hook design increases an anglers hook to land ratio significantly over the standard treble style hook that is typically used on CrankBaits. The tapered “Magic Eye” lets anglers quickly swap hooks. Available in sizes 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0 and 3/0.
MSRP: $3.79 to $4.49
GAMAKATSU G-FINESSE STINGER DROPSHOT
Gamakatsu and veteran professional angler Brent Ehrler expand on the groundbreaking G-Finesse Stinger line with the introduction of the G-Finesse Stinger Dropshot hook. The new hook features ultra-sharp Tournament Grade Wire (TGW) that’s thinner, stronger, and sharper than traditional wire with a welded wire keeper to lock your favorite plastics in place. “This new hook is just what I wanted to thread a soft plastic bait all the way up on the hook on a dropshot rig. The keeper holds the plastic in place and the Stinger design made from Tournament Grade Wire can’t be beat,” says Ehrler. Available in sizes 6, 4, 2, 1, and 1/0.
MSRP: $4.99
GAMAKATSU WORM 34R
A longtime successful JDM design, Gamakatsu’s Worm 34R is constructed of premium Tournament Grade Wire (TGW) and features the Nano Alpha finish. Tournament Grade Wire is thinner, stronger, and sharper than traditional wire. The Nano Alpha coating provides increased penetration for higher landing and superior corrosion resistance to prolonging the life of the hook. This versatile hook has a narrow gap, which helps hook up percentages on short striking fish. Initially designed for stick style worms and long curly tail baits, the 34R also works well with a variety of soft bait plastics, making it an extremely versatile hook. Available in sizes 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0 and 6/0.
MSRP: $5.29
STRIKE KING TOUR GRADE FLUOROSPIN
A tried-and-true old school bait with new-school bells and whistles, Strike King’s Tour Grade FluoroSpin is the “fishin’ and catchin’” lure you know and love with a unique, new design. The fluorocarbon line tie allows for heightened spin and increased blade movement, and the flexibility of the fluorocarbon allows for better hook ups because of its ability to collapse in the fish’s mouth. The new design of FluoroSpin also features a hybrid, 4-pronged lure keeper, perfect for ElazTech baits and other soft plastics. This finesse lure is ideal for winter and cold-water fishing but is extremely effective during any time of the year.
MSRP: $7.99
LINDY B-MAX LINDY JIG
Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle is getting deep quickly with the introduction of the B-Max Lindy Jig. B-Max stands for Bismuth Maximum Performance, a proprietary non-lead metal blend that is comparable in size to lead but harder, allowing for greater sensitivity and enhanced readings on live sonar. As a bonus, it fishes like tungsten, but at half the cost. The ball head jig features a 90-degree line tie, a keeper that’s big enough to hold soft-plastics in place but not too large for live-bait rigging, flat sides and red, reflective eyes that provide a clear aiming point for fish, plus a stout, sticky-sharp hook. Available in five sizes ranging from 1/16 to 1/2 ounce, providing the right size for a vast range of fishing situations for walleyes, perch, crappies and more.
MSRP: $5.99
Z-MAN ZWG WORM HOOK
Designed to grip and hold ElaZtech superplastics, Z-Man’s medium-duty extra wide gap ZWG Worm Hook works equally well with conventional soft plastics. The conical molded keeper on the neck of the hook is easy to rig and locks baits in place, enhancing hookup ratios and preventing baits from sliding down after missed strikes. A silicone bead rides the hook bend, keeping the bait aligned without the need to ‘Tex-pose’ rig and positioning the hook point perfectly. The dual-tapered hook point stays sticky-sharp, and a black nickel-plated finish yields excellent corrosion resistance and provides a measure of stealth. Available in 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0 sizes.
MSRP: $5.99 per 4-pack
Z-MAN RATTLE SNAKER TUNGSTEN SPIKEZ
Want to custom tune your favorite Z-Man baits for even better action? Embed the new Tungsten SpikeZ into ElaZtech superplastics using the Z-Man Rattle-Snaker for precision Neko rigging, customizing hover strolling baits, Tiny Child rigs—or just giving bass and other fish a unique action and enhanced rate of fall. The conical ribbed design grips the interior of all soft baits, locking itself in place wherever you put it. Constructed with high-density tungsten for minimal size to weight ratios, Z-Man Tungsten SpikeZ are available in 1/32-ounce (9-pack), 1/16-ounce (6-pack) and 3/32-ounce (5-pack) sizes.
MSRP: $6.99
Z-MAN LT LINE-THROUGH REPLACEMENT HOOKS
Designed for the Z-Man LT (Line-Through) Series of baits, the LT Line-Through Replacement hooks match the Mulletron LT and Shadtron LT swimbaits. Custom, heavy-duty, sickle-shaped black nickel needlepoint hooks optimize superior strength, jaw penetration and holding power for exceptional hookset-to-net ratios. Forged to fit internal line-through bait harnesses, the hook stays securely implanted while the bait slides up the line, preventing fish from using lure weight as leverage. Available in 3/0 to match 4.5 inch baits and 5/0 for 6 inch baits.
MSRP: $3.99 (4 hooks per pack)
DIRTY JIGS TUNGSTEN HD GUPPY
Crafted with precision and innovation, the Tungsten HD Guppy represents the next step forward in Dirty Jigs Terminal Tackle, perfect for the dedicated angler and forward facing sonar enthusiasts. HD, or Heavy Duty, isn’t just a label – it’s a promise of unmatched durability and performance. Featuring a super sharp Mustad hook with a slightly thicker gauge than the standard Guppy, it offers the confidence and strength needed for the toughest fishing conditions. What truly sets the Tungsten HD Guppy apart is its tungsten resin composition. This advanced material provides heightened sensitivity and increased sonar return, enabling you to detect bites faster and more accurately. Experience the next level of fishing precision with the Tungsten HD Guppy. Available October 1, 2024.
MSRP: $7.99
VMC REDLINE TUNGSTEN SWIMBAIT JIG
The new VMC Redline Tungsten Swimbait Jig was developed and perfected for fishing finesse swimbaits utilizing forward facing sonar. For better hook sets and deeper penetration, the Vanadium steel needle point 1X hook features a P.T.F.E coating. Tested and tuned by VMC pros until they created what they call “the best swimbait jig ever made.,” this jig is also super effective for “shaking a minnow” or Damiki rigging with the 90 degree line tie. The lightweight conical keeper keeps plastics centered for optimized action and balance. Weights are laser etched on the heads for quick reference.
MSRP: $7.99 – $19.99
VMC REDLINE NED HEAD JIG
Take your Ned rigging game to the max with the new VMC Redline Ned Head Jig. Constructed with a matte black finished tungsten head and a Redline 1/0 hook, this might just be the finest Ned head to ever be manufactured. A conical keeper secures any type of soft plastic bait, a premium hook, and laser-etched weights round out the feature set. The Redline Ned Head Jig is available in 1/8, 3/16, ¼ and 3/8 ounce.
MSRP: $6.99 – $10.99
GAMAKATSU HORIZON HEAD & HORIZON HEAD WEEDLESS
Developed and successfully utilized in Japan for the popular mid-strolling technique with forward facing sonar, the Horizon Head Jigs are designed to maintain a horizontal posture while imparting a natural action to your bait. The Horizon Head Series comes equipped with an ultra-sharp Gamakatsu round bend jig hook with a proprietary finish for rust resistance and better penetration. The Horizon Head veedless variant has an added titanium weedguard molded in the head to help prevent snags, while not impacting hooking ratios. It is available in four sizes ranging from 1/8 to ½ ounces and three hook sizes from 1/0-3/0.
MSRP: $6.79
BERKLEY FUSION19 HYBRID JIGHEAD
Building off the success and premium components of the Fusion19 swimbait jighead, Berkley’s brand new Fusion19 Hybrid Jighead has all of the same great features with a roundball jig construction and 90-degree line tie. This versatile jighead gives provides anglers with a low center of gravity to maintain precise balance and the opportunity to pair it with a variety of soft bait shapes and sizes to help weary fish commit to bite.
MSRP: $5.99 to $6.99
BOBBY GARLAND HEAD TURN’R
The Bobby Garland’s Head Turn’R jighead is the first of its kind for the crappie market, with twin willow blades that spin no matter what direction the bait is moving for 360 degrees of action. The perfect jighead for use with soft plastic crappie baits, the Head Turn’R can be rigged for long line trolling, casting and retrieving, vertical jigging and dock shooting. Plus, the jighead’s design keeps the blades free from tangling at impact or during the fall.
MSRP: unavailable time of publication.
BOBBY GARLAND BRUSH OFF JIGHEAD
The Brushoff continues Bobby Garland’s reputation of crappie fishing innovation, with a design that can get soft plastic baits into and out of places other jigheads can’t. A twin thin wire guard allows the jighead to glide through brush without deterring hooksets, while still allowing multiple techniques such as long line trolling, spider rigging, slip corking, casting and retrieving, vertical jigging and dock shooting.
MSRP: unavailable time of publication.
REBEL KEG HEAD JIGS
The versatile KEG Head Jig was specifically designed to pair with Rebel’s LIVEflex soft plastics. It is a Jack-of-all-trades due to the unique shape that allows the jig to wobble off rocks or cover when working the bottom, serve as a perfectly balanced swimbait head, or sit horizontal under a float. Every aspect of the KEG Head jig has been designed to position each of the Rebel LiveFlex soft plastic shapes at the precise angle to achieve the most lifelike appearance and movement in the water.
MSRP: unavailable time of publication.
MUSTAD ALPHA-GRIP TAK-OFFSET HOOK
Mustad utilized some hard lines and sharp bends with the Alpha-Grip Tak-Offset hook. The company says the “Tak-Bend” shape holds flush to the bait and optimizes the angle of point penetration. A new “Alpha-Grip” keeper has been fixed about the Z-bend in the shank to hold worms securely. Mustad used their AlphaPoint® 4.8 needlepoint sharpening technology here, making it one of the slimmest in the company’s line up.
MSRP: $6.99
BUCKEYE LURES FREESTYLE HEAD
Freedom is a precious thing, and that’s what the Buckeye Freestyle Head delivers to your baits. Designed by longtime pro Brent Ehrler, a free-swinging screw lock allows for an uninhibited range of motion for your swimbait of choice. Additionally, hook hangers on both the top and bottom of the head give anglers flexibility when it comes to rigging options. Rig the included treble on the bottom for a conventional presentation, or move to the top when fishing over vegetation, brush or snaggy cover. Available in four sizes (¾, ½, ¼, ⅛) and six colors, the Buckeye Freestyle Head gives anglers freedom of choice when it comes to how they want to fish their swimbait.
MSRP: unavailable at time of publication.
BUCKEYE LURES G-STROLL JIGHEAD
Designed by pro angler Gerald Swindle, the Buckeye G-Stroll jighead is built for the mid-strolling technique that is growing in popularity by the day. Featuring an off-centered weight design that allows a soft plastic minnow to rock back and forth when retrieved, the G-Stroll also sports an EWG-style hook that will pin the feistiest bass all the way back to your net. Available in four sizes (³⁄₁₆, ¼, ⁵⁄₁₆, ⅜ ounce) and three per pack.
MSRP: unavailable at time of publication.
EAGLE CLAW TROKAR TK150VP PRO-V DROP SHOT HOOK
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or on a pro tour, you can take your drop shot technique to another level with the Trokar TK150VP. Building on the legendary TK150, Trokar added the sheer locking power of the Pro-V Bend. As soon as you reel down, the Trokar point slices through like butter, and the Pro-V design immediately funnels fish into the deepest point of the V, locking them through whatever bulldogging runs or high-flying acrobatics they use to try and throw the hook.
MSRP: $6.49 per 7
EAGLE CLAW LAZER SHARP L6PVG PRO-V DROP SHOT HOOK
Eagle Claw’s Pro-V Bend Drop Shot Hook is now available in Lazer Sharp with the L6VP. Combining a needle point with the Pro-V Bend ensures lightning-fast penetration, leading directly to the V’s deepest point, effectively locking fish in. Big largemouth and smallies can jump as much as they want, they can bulldog and shake their heads, but the battle is already won the second they’re funneled into the V.
MSRP: $3.99 per 10
EAGLE CLAW TROKAR TK5BS BAIT SAVER
The Trokar TK5BS Bait Saver Circle Hook ensures you spend more time fishing and less time worrying about bait. By collaborating with Captain Rick Murphy and Captain Jot Owens, Trokar perfected the placement of the monofilament loop to secure your bait without harming its gills. This prevents quick bait death and keeps your baitfish from fouling. Built on the proven TK5, the Bait Saver Circle Hook is available in sizes 7/0, 8/0, and 9/0.
MSRP: $11.99 per 5
