All hooked up
Say hello to Rig Marole’s one and only hook: the Hunchbax – a pattern which we’re guessing you’ve never used before
Over the years, the finish, type and sharpness of hooks has undergone many startling changes. The early seventies brought the first purpose-designed carp hook thanks to Richard Walker; the eighties put us in touch with the Japanese and their surgically-sharpened hook point technology; the nineties saw an increase in different patterns; the noughties saw the introduction of Teflon coatings; and 2014 gave us the Hunchbax from Rig Marole – a hook which combines all of the best bits from each era to produce a pattern which the rig bods are calling “a genuine advancement”.
The Hunchbax is available in barbless and barbless in sizes 6, 8 and 10
The big questions
What’s so special about these new hooks then?
A number of things: its sharpness, colour, strength – but what’s really unique about the Hunchbax is its shape: a mix of a curve shank and a longshank, and this subtle blend results in a hook pattern you probably won’t have seen/used before.
Hang on, that sounds like a long curve shank – aren’t they banned on loads of venues these days?
That particular type of pattern may well be, but the Hunchbax doesn’t have such an aggressive curve like the pattern you’ve just mentioned. The ‘Hunch’ has an ever-so-slight curve which results in a maximum hook hold without being overly aggressive – and that means zero mouth damage.
It’s a blend of two patterns It’s a blend of two patterns
I like the colour.
It’s nice, right? It’s a slightly darker PTFE Teflon to most other hooks – more gun-metal than slate grey – and because of this everything becomes even less obvious on the lakebed. That coating also helps with hooking: as it’s so slick, it helps penetrate the skin quicker and easier.
What’s the sharpness like?
So sharp they should really come with a box of plasters as standard! No, in all seriousness they are mightily impressive, and thanks to being made from the highest quality Japanese metal Rig Marole could source, it means the point stays sharper for longer, too.
Super sharp!
Does that mean they’re really, really strong?
Like an ox on steroids. They’re flat-forged, which in English means the hook has been flattened on both sides which adds strength without increasing weight. Marry these features with a micro barb (they’re also available in barbless), with a choice of a size 6, 8 and 10, and you’ve got a serious banger of a hook which doesn’t require shrink tubing, rings and co. to turn super quickly.
“GIMME”: £4.25 per pack; rigmarole.co.uk