VMC Hooks Review
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VMC Hooks Review
No matter what style of baits you prefer or the technique in which you use them, the legendary team over at VMC is sure to have exactly what you need! Ever since the first VMC fishing hooks were produced in 1910, they have been a staple within the fishing community. The vast array of hook styles and shapes offered by VMC ensures that whatever the fish are biting, you will have the right hook.
VMC is well known for creating and manufacturing unique styles of hooks to meet the ever-expanding expectations and needs of anglers worldwide. VMC produces many hooks specific to conditions anglers encounter while out on a fishing trip. From fly hooks and barbless hooks to weighted swimbait hooks with integrated spinning blades, VMC does it all.
Tokyo Rig Fishing
Tokyo Rig fishing is an innovative technique that proves especially useful when flipping, punching, or pitching soft plastics in dense cover. This style of fishing first became popular in Japan by well-known angler Mike Laconelli who perfected the technique and dispersed his knowledge to the rest of the fishing industry. A Tokyo Rig works much like a drop-shot set up with a few added innovations to improve versatility and function.
A Tokyo Rig, although it has many function options, is a very simple setup by nature. In its simplest form, a Tokyo Rig is a standard hook with an integrated wire. This wire is attached to the hook via barrel swivel to help prevent tangles and to allow free movement. A bullet weight of your choosing is attached to the wire which is held in place by folding the end bit of the wire up over the weight. Bullet style weights are the most common weights to use with this setup as they are crafted with a hole straight through the middle, perfect for the Tokyo Rig.
A soft plastic bait, such as an artificial lures with barbless hooks worm or salamander artificial lures with barbless hooks, is then attached to the hook with the weight beneath the bait. This form of fishing is now extremely common among bass fishermen worldwide, and for good reason. The versatility of the Tokyo Rig allows for many retrieving patterns and speeds. Working the Tokyo Rig in many different ways will almost always entice non-interested fish to strike.
VMC Tokyo Rig
The “godfather” of the Tokyo Tig, Mike Laconelli, worked hands-on with VMC to come up with a reliable Tokyo Rig with many different options. VMC started producing their version of the Tokyo Rig with help from Mike Laconelli to ensure anglers are happy with the end result. The Tokyo Rig offered by VMC features various hook styles, with the most common being a heavy-duty wide-gap hook with offset point. VMC also offers the Tokyo Rig to come fitted with a Neko-style hook for finesse fishing. Each of these styles of the Tokyo Rig are available in many sizes to suit the needs of both big and small game anglers.
VMC Treble Hooks
Now, when it comes to treble hooks VMC may have the largest collection out there. VMC strives to provide fishing enthusiasts with high-quality fishing gear, and their treble hooks are no exception. VMC utilizes their revolutionary SureSet and Spark Point technology to provide unbelievably sharp hooks capable of penetrating even the boniest of fish’s mouths. These treble hooks are the perfect addition to your favorite lure, spinnerbait, or live bait fishing setup.
VMC offers hooks with integrated features such as spinning blades or feathers to add further function and presentation to the bait. Integrated spinning blades trail behind the bait as it is retrieved, showcasing flashes and movement that can intrigue surrounding fish. These styles of treble hooks are great for darker water or overfished waterways as they offer a much different presentation when compared to classic treble hooks. Many treble hooks from VMC feature their Techincal Locking Curve combined with an inline eye to not only penetrate the fish’s mouth but hold it firmly in place during the fight. Available in many sizes and styles, VMC is sure to have the perfect treble hooks for any fishing conditions and can extremely heavy fish.
If you already decided to buy a treble hook, you might want to check our Treble Hook Size Chart comprehensive guide to choosing the one that fit your needs
VMC Neko Rig
One of the fastest-growing trends among fishermen all over the world is Neko Rig fishing. Although a bit similar to the Tokyo Rig, the Neko Rig offers its own advantages beneath the water’s surface. The Neko Rig is exclusively used with soft plastics and is basically a weighted version of the typical wacky rig. Much like the wacky rig, a Neko Rig has the entire hook exposed with a small O-ring attaching the hook to the soft plastic. A weight is then added to one side of the soft plastic bait, typically a worm, to allow free movement when retrieving then sinking back to the bottom quickly when resting. A Neko Rig can be fished in a variety of different ways depending on how aggressive the fish are.
Because of the added weight to one side of the bait, the soft plastic will have an exceptional function as it sinks deeper into the water column. More often than not, a fish will strike a Neko Rig as it is left completely still slowly sinking to the bottom while flapping side to side in the current. Once the bait has reached the bottom of the water column, the weight will sink into the debris while the bait stands completely straight up with the exposed hook waiting for a hungry fish.
VMC recognized the need for a reliable Neko Rig setup, and have provided just that. Not only does VMC carry multiple sizes of standard Neko Rig hooks, but they also put together a comprehensive Neko Rig kit that includes everything an angler needs to get started. These kits contain standard Neko Rig hooks, weedless hooks, and the weight and wire system for soft plastics. If you are an angler looking to get into a new style of fishing, the Neko Rig is undeniable an amazing technique to try out especially when using high-quality terminal tackle from VMC.
VMC Barbless Hooks
With catch and release fishing becoming one of the most common fishing trends to date, the need for high-quality Barbless Hooks for Fishing has never been higher. Unlike standard hooks, barbless hooks lack the barb that is intended for holding fish on the hook which has been proved time and time again to pose unneeded harm onto fish. Barbed hooks are the main contributor to fish mortality in sport fishing, and should never be used unless you plan on keeping your catch. Barbless hooks are removed from a fish’s mouth much easier than barbed hooks while decreasing the risk of the fish suffering from long-lasting, and often irreversible, damage.
With the intention to prevent unneeded stress and injury to fish, VMC stepped up to bat with their revolutionary barbless hook styles.
Barbless hooks from VMC are crafted fully from Vanadium steel for maximum integrity while remaining lightweight. Many of the barbless hooks offered by VMC feature their Technical Locking Curve technology that eliminates the need for a barb.
The Technical Locking Curve is shaped in such a way that once a fish is hooked, it will not be able to fight itself free as long as tension is kept on the fishing line. But unlike barbed hooks, barbless hooks that feature the Technical Locking Curve can be quickly and easily removed. This style of hooks are also extremely effective in holding soft plastic baits firmly in place.
If you are new to fishing or have just learned about the importance of catch and release fishing, be sure to only use barbless hooks. Not only are barbless hooks more humane for sport fishing, they also pose less risk to injury when handling them.
Similar to fish, barbed hooks can be extremely hard to remove in the case of personal injury and oftentimes requires a trip to a hospital. As anglers, it is our duty to preserve our waterways and ensure a healthy fish population for years to come.
VMC FAQs:
What Does “VMC Hooks” Stand For?
VMC has been producing fishing hooks since the early 1900s. The name VMC is a result of a marriage between the families of the company’s two founders. The Viellard family counted on Jean-Baptiste Migeon for the forgery of their steel used in fishing hook production. In 1835, the daughter of Jean-Baptiste married Viellard’s son and combined their initials to come up with the company name, VMC. In 1973, VMC added Pesche at the end of their name which became an independent company controlled by original lineage. VMC has developed into one of the most well-known fishing-related companies in the world and distributes its products to many countries worldwide. Owned and operated by the same family for almost 100 years, it’s no wonder why many anglers choose to support VMC hooks.
Are VMC Hooks Any Good?
Yes! VMC hooks are revered by anglers all over the world for their impeccable attention to detail. For novice and experienced anglers alike, having a set of VMC hooks in the tackle box is always a safe bet. From the innovative technology to an astounding array of hook styles and sizes, VMC is sure to have the perfect hook for any fishing situation. Many fishermen swear by VMC to be the best hook manufacturer and are reluctant to venture into the realm of other hook brands.
But can we blame them? VMC has an impressive background and outstanding customer reviews for all of their products. Coupled with the fact VMC is family-owned and operated, it’s no wonder anglers love to support VMC. Whether you are about to go out for a relaxing night of live bait fishing or looking to improve your technique with new styles of fishing, try out a few different VMC hooks and you will be hooked for life.
Where Are VMC Hooks Made?
VMC hooks have always been, and most likely will always be, manufactured and distributed from their mother location located in France. It was in France that the design team developed all of their patented hook innovations and it was here that the family first started designing their first ever fishing hooks. While VMC is known almost strictly for their high-quality fishing hooks and other terminal tackle, they are also partially responsible for the conception of the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA).
The ever-growing desire for VMC products has driven VMC to open subsidiary companies in the US, Germany, Poland, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine. While you can find VMC hooks in almost every country where anglers are found, at the end of the day each of those hooks was first created in France.
Who Owns VMC Hooks?
In order to expand distribution and notoriety, VMC partnered with Rapala in the 2000s and became part of the Rapala VMC Group of companies. With Rapala lures quickly becoming the world’s largest and leading manufacturer of fishing lures, it’s no wonder VMC partnered up with the best. This relationship allowed anglers to have a one-stop shop for all the new Rapala lure styles along with high-quality world-renowned hooks to use on said lures.
When Christophe Viellard decided to retire in 2001, Stanislas de Castelnau became the acting President and Managing Director. VMC hooks and additional fishing tackle can typically be found anywhere Rapala lures are being sold, and can even be bought directly from the Rapala website. We can only assume these two companies work symbiotically with one another based on the plethora of innovations for both terminal tackle and fishing lures. While time may pass, a full century at this point, there has been one factor that remains the same; the reliability of VMC-produced products. Partnering with Rapala has not only increased their distribution, but they have also helped tremendously in informing anglers about a family-owned business that produces immaculate fishing hooks. With Rapala being one of the most famous lure companies to date, it only made sense for VMC to join forces with Rapala. So, pick out your favorite Rapala lure, add some VMC hooks, and feel confident that when the big fish bite; you’re going to have the right gear to bring that monster to shore.
