Gamakatsu's Aaron Martens TGW Drop Shot Hook

Total Score: 8.42 - EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD

Introduction: Even though he prefers to be known as a well rounded angler, three time BASS Angler of the Year (AOY) winner Aaron Martens is best known for relying on finesse techniques to catch limits of fish. Of course, there is one finesse technique specifically that will forever be tied to his name - the drop shot. So when Martens comes out with a drop shot hook designed to his exacting specifications, we take notice. Here's our look at the Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Drop Shot Hook.

Impressions: Anyone who's been fortunate enough to spend any time on the water with Aaron Martens knows how particular he is about his equipment. I've had the honor and his attention to detail extends from his rod and reel all the way down the line to the very point of his fishing hooks. He told me once how he used to take his drop shot hook of choice at the time and open it up a little bit because the angle of the hook wasn't quite right. He had to do this all the time because there wasn't a drop shot hook that was just right for him out of the package.

Introducing Gamakatsu's Aaron Martens TGW Drop Shot Hook.

That was four, maybe five years ago, and since that time, he's gotten together with Gamakatsu to develop a drop shot hook under his name. These hooks are built from the company's "tournament grade wire" (TGW) that is 20% thinner in diameter with zero loss in strength. This thinner wire is supposed to facilitate easier hook penetration which means a better hook up ratio.

When Aaron Martens puts his name behind a drop shot hook, we pay attention.

But it doesn't end there. No, it wouldn't be a product worthy of Aaron Marten's name if it did. Gamakatsu goes the additional length of finishing this TGW hook with a nano coating that's pretty much akin to Teflon. This coating also aids in hook penetration to the point where Martens claims this finished product has increased his overall hookup percentage by thirty to forty percent (30-40%)!

Tournament Grade Wire (TGW) means 20% thinner than standard. We can see thinner (bottom) but 20%?