HISTORY OF GAMAKATSU

Gamakatsu started producing fish hooks in 1955. At that time,we where the smallest hook manufacturer in Japan and all of their hooks were made by hand.

In 1963 we introduced a new automated heating facility that catapulted us to the forefront of the Japanese market.

In 1974, we introduced fully automated hook making machines and decided to build a second factory in order to meet the demand we had created.

In 1976, being well established as the leading Japanese hook manufacturer, Gamakatsu started building a new factory to produce high quality fishing rods for the Japanese market. After upgrading the hook manufacturing machines in 1986, we expanded their product line. As a result, Gamakatsu Co. Ltd became a major manufacturer with a full line of high quality fishing rods, hooks, clothing and fishing related items by 1987.

In 1988, after upgrading the automated tempering facilities and expanding the hook factory, Gamakatsu Co. Ltd. opened Gamakatsu International Co., Ltd. in Thailand and Gamakatsu Shantou Co. Ltd. in China in 1989. These two factories import hooks from Japan to get their final products such as snelling, rigging, tying flies, and packaging. When anglers purchase Gamakatsu hooks, they are buying an original product made by GAMAKATSU. Many hook suppliers are using fabricated Japanese sounding names bought from several different manufacturers.

MARKET LEADER GAMAKATSU

Gamakatsu is the leading fishing hook manufacturer in Japan. We are constantly testing new materials, trying to improve our product that already sets the standard for the rest of the industry. In 1992 Gamakatsu USA inc. was established to provide Gamakatsu branded hooks to the U.S. market, followed by SPRO, The official Gamakatsu exclusive agent, established in the Netherlands in 1994 to service the European market. Obviously, Gamakatsu is well on its way of achieving their goal of becoming the market leader in the USA and in Europe as well!

ENVIRONEMENT HAS OUR ATTENTION

Since 1955, Gamakatsu has strictly stuck to the theme of "Nature and Technology". We work hard to develop new, hi-tech products that benefit the outdoorsman without adversely effecting the environment. Gamakatsu's policy of technical development has always been "the best of quality". Gamakatsu is always searching for new ways to make our existing products better in addition to constantly looking for unique products that are not yet available. We believe that only this attitude can give our customers the best they deserve!

ALL OVER THE WORLD

Gamakatsu products are used worldwide. With offices located around the world, Gamakatsu is able to research its markets and develop unique products that meet the needs of even the most demanding anglers.

INVENTION OF THE HOOK

20,000 years ago, the invention of the fishing hook marked the beginning of sport-fishing.
The first hooks were made of wood or bones. As technology improved, so did the hooks. Records show that copper hooks were made in Banchen 7,000 years ago and artificial flies were used in Egypt 4,000 years ago. Fishing was also a popular form of entertainment in ancient China.
Today, modern materials and manufacturing techniques have resulted in hundreds of styles of extremely high quality hooks, designed for specific types of fish and fishing methods.

HOOK PRODUCING

The methods used in creating Gamakatsu hooks is what makes it so superior to all other brands.

First, only the most premium grade of high carbon steel is used. This insures protection against any blemishes in the metal that can weaken the hook.
Secondly, Gamakatsu has the most advanced tempering system in the world. Every hook is heated to the exact temperature that is perfect for that particular style and size then cooled in oil. This process produces hooks which are super strong, but not brittle. It is extremely difficult to achieve a balance between strength and flexibility, and it took many years for Gamakatsu to perfect this process. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, our sharpening process is the most modern in the world, and results in a perfectly conical point that is unequalled in sharpness.

QUALITY OF HOOKS

Gamakatsu hooks are the corner stone of the Gamakatsu company, and are famous worldwide. Material and technology are what makes these hooks superior to all other brands. The Gamakatsu company, in conjunction with a material manufacturer, developed a material known as High Carbon steel specifically for manufacturing fishing hooks. This material not only contains a higher percentage of carbon, but also has no impurities. As a result, Gamakatsu has earned the anglers' trust throughout the world. The life of a fishing hook is measured by the sharpness, hardness, and viscosity of the point.
Using low quality materials results in points that are weak and not truly sharp. In order to use High Carbon steel, Gamakatsu developed a unique electronic tempering process that enables hooks to be tempered in a stable condition. As a result, Gamakatsu is able to manufacture consistently high quality, extremely sharp hooks in large quantities. This innovation has earned Gamakatsu a 70% market share in Japan.