Wise Angler® hooks guide
Fishing Hooks: Circle, Octopus, Beak & Livebait Hooks
High-carbon steel hooks for snapper, kahawai, kingfish, Australian salmon, red emperor, barramundi, catfish and hāpuku, in salt or fresh water. Find the right style and size for your species, then add it to your cart in one tap.
- Built for salt or fresh water
- 100% plastic-free, compostable packs
- Species and size guide built in
Try every styleSample Bundle: $63.15 Built To Fish. Inspired By Nature.
Find your hook
Which hook for which fish?
Pick a species or technique. We'll show the Wise Angler hooks and sizes to use, the rig and bait, and the bundle that covers it.
- 1Pick a species or technique
- 2Get the hooks and sizes
- 3Add to cart, or save with a bundle
Tap a species or technique to see your hooks and sizes.
Each pick comes with suggested sizes you can add in one tap.
Shop the range
All fishing hooks
Pick a size on any pack and add it straight to your cart.
Complete the rigAdd swivels, the must-have link in every rig. Shop swivels→
Smart buy
Get the whole rig in one bundle
Bundles cost less than buying the packs one by one. This one follows your pick in the finder.
Sample Bundle $63.15 $157.87 Save $94.72 (60%)
Hook school
Hook sizes & styles explained
How a hook works, how sizes run, and which Wise Angler style suits which job.
Parts of a hook
- EyeWhere you tie your line or leader.
- ShankThe straight section between the eye and the bend. Octopus hooks have a short shank.
- BendThe curve that holds the fish once it's hooked.
- GapThe space between the point and the shank. A wide gap leaves room for bait.
- PointThe sharp end that goes in first. Beak hooks have an extra-long needle point.
- BarbThe small reverse spike behind the point that helps keep the hook in.
Hook size scale
Hook sizes with a /0 (say 'aught') get bigger as the number goes up, so a 7/0 is bigger than a 3/0. Plain numbers like #1 or #2 run the other way. Match the hook to your bait size, rig and target species.
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3/0 Kahawai: beak or octopus, strip baits
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4/0 Australian salmon
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5/0 Snapper: octopus or beak
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6/0 Barramundi: Live Bait hook
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7/0 Large catfish: Demon Circle or Octopus (7/0 and up)
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8/0 Kingfish: Live Bait hook
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10/0 Relaxed catch and release (Demon Circle), red emperor, hāpuku
Images show relative size, not actual size. Sizes from the Wise Angler species guide.
Five hook styles, one job each
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Reef · catch and release
Light Circle Hook
Our pick for reef fishing. The circle shape is designed to set in the corner of the fish's mouth, which suits catch and release.
Sizes 3/0 · 4/0 · 5/0 · 6/0 · 7/0
Shop Light Circle Hook · from $10.49 -
Big baits · heavy rigs
Demon Circle Hook
The heavy circle option, in high-carbon steel with a black nickel finish. Sizes from #1 up to 10/0.
Sizes 1# · 2/0 · 4/0 · 5/0 · 7/0 · 10/0
Shop Demon Circle Hook · from $11.99 -
Bait rigs · surfcasting
Octopus Hook
Short shank and wide gap for presenting bait on a range of rigs. Also a great surfcasting hook.
Sizes 3/0 · 4/0 · 5/0 · 6/0 · 7/0 · 8/0 · 10/0
Shop Octopus Hook · from $9.49 -
Bait fishing
Beak Hook
Extra-long needle point and offset point for fast, secure hook-ups. Three finishes: pink, luminous green and fluoro green.
Sizes 3/0 · 4/0 · 5/0 · 6/0 · 7/0 · 8/0 · 10/0
Shop Beak Hook - Extra Long Point / Pink · from $11.99 -
Livebaiting
Live Bait Hook
Made for livebaiting: marine-grade high-carbon steel, a black nickel finish and a needle-sharp point.
Sizes 12/0 · 10/0 · 8/0 · 6/0
Shop Live Bait Hook · from $11.99
Not sure on size?
Try every style with the Sample Bundle
One pack of every Wise Angler hook style plus six rolling swivels and snaps. You choose the size of each pack.
Sample Bundle $63.15 $157.87 Save $94.72 (60%)
Techniques
How to fish it
Six ways to rig up, with the bait, rig and Wise Angler gear for each.
Strayline
Fish a lightly weighted bait down a berley trail so it drifts naturally. The classic way to target snapper.
RigRunning ball sinker directly above 2 × 5/0–7/0 hooks.
BaitFresh cut baits: pilchard, bonito, squid
Caught on a Wise Angler Pink Beak Hook.
Ledger / flasher
A 2-hook ledger or flasher rig fished over deeper structure. With circle hooks, don't strike: just wind into the weight.
Rig2-hook ledger / flasher rig, with a crossline swivel for the dropper.
BaitCut baits: pilchard, squid, bonito
Trevally on a Wise Angler Light Circle Hook.
Surfcasting
Long-range casting from the beach. Great bait presentation and sharp hooks matter most. Know your local spots.
RigDropper or pulley rig, cast long range on a 12ft surf rod with your preferred reel.
BaitFresh bait, well presented on a sharp hook
Livebait
Nose- or shoulder-hook a lively baitfish and float or slow-troll it near structure on a heavy-duty trace.
RigLivebait rig: heavy-duty trace and a quality rolling swivel to prevent line twist.
BaitLively baitfish: jack or slimy mackerel, koheru, kahawai, trevally, piper; live mullet or prawns for barramundi
Sizes6/0–12/0
Quick tipMatch your hook to your bait: small livebait, small hook; big livebait, big hook. That keeps it swimming live for longer in the bite zone.
Float
Suspend a strip bait under a float for kahawai, or a live mullet or prawn for barramundi.
RigFloat rig with 3/0 hooks (kahawai) or a livebait float rig (barramundi).
BaitStrips of pilchard or squid; live mullet or prawns
Hāpuku — deep-water bottom fishing
Present a substantial bait near the seabed around reefs, pinnacles and drop-offs.
RigUse a heavy-duty ledger/dropper rig with short branching traces and a lead sinker below the hooks. Match the sinker weight to the depth and current to keep your bait near the bottom.
BaitWhole squid, fresh kahawai or trevally fillets, or barracouta strips.
Sizes10/0. Match the bait to the hook's gape, leaving the point exposed.
Quick tipGlow-in-the-dark terminal tackle adds visibility in deep water. Wise Angler's Luminous Beak Hook adds glow directly to the hook, potentially reducing the need for separate luminous beads or tubing. Charge the luminous finish with a torch before each drop, and check your leader, knots and connections between drops.
Bait guide
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Pilchard
Cut baits for snapper down a berley trail, strips under a float for kahawai, whole and well presented for Australian salmon in the surf.
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Squid
Cut squid for snapper and kahawai. Squid and cuttlefish are top baits for red emperor too.
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Bonito
Fresh cut bonito is a top strayline bait for snapper.
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Live baitfish
Lively, medium-sized baitfish: jack or slimy mackerel, koheru, kahawai or trevally (1kg+ for big kingfish). Piper suit surface or float rigs, rigged through the tail.
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Live mullet & prawns
Fished under a float or on a bottom rig near snags and mangroves.
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Cuttlefish
Fresh cut cuttlefish on a strayline or light dropper rig, fished much like snapper.
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Cut bait, worms & liver
Stinky baits pinned hard to the riverbed near slow currents or structure.
Species guide
Know your fish
Where they're found, when they bite, how to fish them and the Wise Angler gear to use.
Snapper on a Wise Angler fluoro Beak Hook.
Snapper
Chrysophrys auratus / Tāmure
New Zealand and Australia’s iconic, hard-fighting table fish found across shallow inshore flats and deep reefs.
Salt waterWhere they're found
NZAbundant in North Island coastal waters (Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Plenty, Northland) and top of the South Island (Tasman/Golden Bay).
AUSouthern Queensland down through NSW, Victoria (Port Phillip Bay), SA gulfs, and southern WA.
Best time of year
- Jan: peak
- Feb: peak
- Mar: peak
- Apr: peak
- May: good
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct: good
- Nov: peak
- Dec: peak
Peak Good
Year-round fishery; peaks during spring and summer spawning runs when fish push shallow.
How to fish them
Strayline fresh cut baits (pilchard, bonito, squid) down a berley trail with minimal lead. Also take soft plastics, slow-pitch jigs, and ledger rigs over deeper structure.
RigStrayline rig (running ball sinker directly above 2x 5/0–7/0 hooks) or 2-hook Ledger / Flasher rig.
Quick tipCut baits cast down a berley trail catch the biggest snapper. Don't strike immediately with circle hooks—just wind into the weight.
Wise Angler picks
You'll also need: Ball sinkers (1/4–4 oz).
Kahawai
Arripis trutta
New Zealand’s fast, acrobatic schooling fish. Relentless fighters on light tackle and prime table or bait fish when bled immediately.
Salt waterWhere they're found
NZFound nationwide in vast surface schools around coastlines, river mouths, estuaries, and surf beaches.
AUPrimarily South-Eastern waters (where it is known as Eastern Australian Salmon).
Best time of year
- Jan: peak
- Feb: peak
- Mar: peak
- Apr: peak
- May: good
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep: good
- Oct: good
- Nov: peak
- Dec: peak
Peak Good
Present all year round; explosive surface blitzes peak from late spring through autumn chasing baitfish.
How to fish them
Cast and fast-retrieve metal casting spinners or soft plastics into feeding schools. For bait fishing, suspend a strip of pilchard or squid under a float or bottom rig.
RigHigh-speed metal casting lure setup, or float rig with 3/0 hooks.
Quick tipLook for diving work-up birds. Cast past the schooling boil, retrieve quickly, and bleed your catch straight into an ice slurry.
Wise Angler picks
You'll also need: Ball-bearing snap swivel (prevents twist when spinning); casting metals / small silver lures.
Kingfish
Yellowtail kingfish (haku). A powerful sport fish that lives around structure.
Salt waterWhere they're found
NZMainly the North Island and the top of the South Island: reefs, pinnacles, wharves, channel markers and harbour entrances.
AUSouthern half of the country, from southern Queensland and NSW round to WA: offshore reefs, headlands and deep water.
Best time of year
- Jan: peak
- Feb: peak
- Mar: peak
- Apr: good
- May: good
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov: good
- Dec: peak
Peak Good
Best in the warmer months. Some northern spots fish year-round.
How to fish them
Nose- or shoulder-hook a lively, medium-sized baitfish (jack or slimy mackerel, koheru, kahawai or trevally) through the nostrils or upper shoulder so it swims naturally near structure. Go 1kg+ for big kingfish. Piper suit surface or float rigs, rigged through the tail. Jigs and stickbaits work too.
RigLivebait rig: heavy-duty trace with a quality rolling swivel to prevent line twist.
Quick tipUse a strong, short-shank, wide-gape or circle hook matched to your bait. Kingfish head straight for the reef: set your drag firm and turn the fish early.
Wise Angler picks
Live Bait HookAll sizes 6/0–12/0. Match your hook to your bait: small livebait, small hook; big livebait, big hook. That keeps it swimming live for longer in the bite zone.
Demon Circle Hook
Screwed Snap Rolling Swivel
CONFIRM (preview only): species facts drafted from general NZ/Australian fishing knowledge. Check them, then tick "Facts confirmed".
Australian salmon
Arripis truttaceus
Powerful, surf-dwelling school fish that jump acrobatically and hit hard in crashing whitewater.
Salt waterWhere they're found
NZNot present — NZ’s kahawai (Arripis trutta) is its close cousin.
AUSouthern coastline from southern NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, through to southern WA.
Best time of year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar: good
- Apr: peak
- May: peak
- Jun: peak
- Jul: peak
- Aug: peak
- Sep: peak
- Oct: good
- Nov
- Dec
Peak Good
In Australia, autumn and winter produce the biggest migratory aggregations and surf blitzes.
How to fish them
Long-range surfcasting with a well-presented bait on sharp hooks, fished on a dropper or pulley rig, or casting chrome metal slugs from rocky headlands and beaches. Know your local spots.
RigDropper or pulley rig, cast long range on a 12ft surf rod with your preferred reel.
Quick tipTarget the deep "gutters" (darker, wave-free breaks) along ocean beaches on an incoming high tide.
Wise Angler picks
You'll also need: A 12ft surf rod and your preferred reel; impact / star sinker; chrome metal slugs.
Caught straylining on a 10/0 Luminous Beak Hook.
Red emperor
Lutjanus sebae
One of Australia’s most prized northern reef predators, famous for incredible fighting strength and world-class eating quality.
Salt waterWhere they're found
NZNot present.
AUWarm tropical/sub-tropical waters from Shark Bay & Ningaloo (WA), across the Top End, down through the Great Barrier Reef to Moreton Bay (QLD).
Best time of year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr: good
- May: peak
- Jun: peak
- Jul: peak
- Aug: peak
- Sep: peak
- Oct: good
- Nov
- Dec
Peak Good
Caught year-round in deep water (30m to 120m+); cooler winter months provide the most consistent runs.
How to fish them
Fish it much like snapper: strayline a well-presented squid or cuttlefish bait with minimal lead, or fish a light ledger / dropper rig over reef and rubble. No need for heavy line.
RigStrayline rig (running ball sinker directly above the hook) or a light ledger / dropper rig, as for snapper.
Quick tipPresent your bait well on a sharp hook. With circle hooks, don't strike: just wind into the weight.
Wise Angler picks
You'll also need: Ball sinkers, as you'd use for snapper.
Barramundi
Lates calcarifer
Australia’s premier tropical sportfish, celebrated for aggressive boof strikes, searing runs, and gill-rattling airborne jumps.
Salt & fresh water (estuarine / riverine)Where they're found
NZNot present.
AUTropical north, mainly north of the Tropic of Capricorn (WA Kimberley, Darwin/Top End NT, and coastal Queensland).
Best time of year
- Jan: good
- Feb: peak
- Mar: peak
- Apr: peak
- May: good
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct: peak
- Nov: peak
- Dec: peak
Peak Good
Peaks during the "Run-off" (end of the wet season, Feb–April) and the "Build-up" pre-wet heat (Oct–Dec).
How to fish them
Cast deep-diving hardbody minnows, paddle-tail soft plastics, or vibes tight against mangrove roots, snags, and rock bars. Slow-trolling or live-baiting live mullet/prawns under a float or bottom rig.
RigHeavy leader lure setup (40–60 lb fluorocarbon tied to a hardbody lure or jighead) or livebait float rig.
Quick tipBarra are ambush predators that position facing into the current. Cast upstream of submerged timber and retrieve naturally with the tidal flow right past the snag.
Wise Angler picks
You'll also need: 40–60 lb fluorocarbon shock leader; hardbody lures, paddle-tails or vibes.
Catfish
Siluriformes — freshwater & saltwater
Whisker-faced benthic feeders known for their scent-driven hunting, immense bottom weight, and stubborn bulldog fights.
Fresh / brackish / saltWhere they're found
AUTandanus (Eel-tailed freshwater catfish) across the Murray-Darling and eastern systems; plus Estuary Catfish and Fork-tailed catfish in northern bays/rivers.
USAChannel, Blue, and Flathead catfish across the Mississippi, southern rivers, reservoirs, and lakes.
S. AmericaGiant species like Piraíba and Redtail across the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
Best time of year
- Jan: peak
- Feb: peak
- Mar: peak
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov: peak
- Dec: peak
Peak Good
Peak shown for the Southern Hemisphere (Northern Hemisphere: May–Sep). Warm summer months are best, particularly dusk, warm overcast nights, and after heavy river rises.
How to fish them
Still-fishing stinky cut baits, live crawfish, chicken liver, or earthworms pinned hard to the riverbed near slow currents or structure.
RigCarolina rig (running egg sinker, bead, swivel, 18-inch leader) or Fish-Finder bottom rig.
Quick tipCatfish hunt heavily by olfactory senses. Choose high-oil, bloody, or pungent fresh cut baits and let the scent plume drift downstream into deeper structure. Eel-tailed catfish are protected in some Australian waters, and never move live fish between waterways.
Wise Angler picks
You'll also need: Egg sinker / sinker slide; monofilament leader.
Hāpuku
Polyprion oxygeneios
Also called hapuka or groper. A big, deep-water reef fish.
Salt waterWhere they're found
NZDeep reefs, pinnacles and drop-offs around New Zealand, usually in around 100 m of water or more.
How to fish them
Present a substantial bait near the seabed around reefs, pinnacles and drop-offs.
RigUse a heavy-duty ledger/dropper rig with short branching traces and a lead sinker below the hooks. Match the sinker weight to the depth and current to keep your bait near the bottom.
Quick tipGlow-in-the-dark terminal tackle adds visibility in deep water. Wise Angler's Luminous Beak Hook adds glow directly to the hook, potentially reducing the need for separate luminous beads or tubing. Charge the luminous finish with a torch before each drop, and check your leader, knots and connections between drops.
Wise Angler picks
You'll also need: Whole squid, fresh kahawai or trevally fillets, or barracouta strips.
CONFIRM (preview only): species facts drafted from general NZ/Australian fishing knowledge. Check them, then tick "Facts confirmed".
Trout
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Introduced sport fish of cool, clear lakes and rivers, loved for their fight and the places they live.
Fresh water (lakes & rivers)Where they're found
NZLakes and rivers nationwide, e.g. the Taupō and Rotorua lakes and rivers throughout the South Island.
AUCool highland waters, e.g. Tasmania and the Snowy Mountains / Victorian high country.
Best time of year
Many NZ rivers open on 1 October, and many lakes are open all year. Seasons, limits and methods vary by region, so check the local Fish & Game rules (in Australia, your state rules). A fishing licence is required.
How to fish them
Micro jig or slowly retrieve a small paddle-tail soft bait like the StormX Cyclone Minnow 3" along lake edges, river banks, pools and runs. Bait fishing is only allowed in some waters, so check the local rules first.
RigLight spin setup with a fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0–3/0 jig head.
Quick tipHandle trout gently: wet your hands, use a net and keep the fish in the water as much as you can if releasing it.
Wise Angler picks
StormX™ Cyclone Minnow 3" Soft Lure — Yellow Tail
StormX™ Cyclone Minnow 3" Soft Lure — Tommy Pearl
StormX™ Cyclone Minnow 3" Soft Lure — Squid Ink - Glow UV
You'll also need: A jig head with a 2/0–3/0 hook for the Cyclone Minnow 3" (micro jigging).
CONFIRM (preview only): species facts drafted from general NZ/Australian fishing knowledge. Check them, then tick "Facts confirmed".
Bundle and save
Catch & Release Bundle
Heavy and light circle hooks plus a selected swivel range, for less than buying them one by one.
Catch & Release Bundle $89.19 $127.41 Save $38.22 (30%)
Bundle and save
Compare our bundles
Bundles cost less than buying each pack on its own. Prices and savings come straight from the store.
- Biggest saving
Sample Bundle
Best for Trying every style
One pack of every Wise Angler hook style plus six rolling swivels and snaps. You choose the size of each pack.
$63.15$157.87Save $94.72 (60%)
See the bundle -
Strayline Bundle
Best for Straylining for snapper
Hooks and swivels for strayline rigs.
$80.52$129.87Save $49.35 (38%)
See the bundle -
Surfcast Bundle
Best for Surfcasting
11 items: the hooks and swivels for the surf.
$83.03$138.39Save $55.36 (40%)
See the bundle -
Livebait Bundle
Best for Livebaiting for kingfish
Live Bait hooks and swivels for livebaiting big kingfish.
$70.75$108.84Save $38.09 (35%)
See the bundle -
Catch & Release Bundle
Best for Circle hook fans
Heavy and light circle hooks plus a selected swivel range.
$89.19$127.41Save $38.22 (30%)
See the bundle -
Beak Hook - Color Trio Bundle
Best for Bait fishing
Beak hooks in fluoro green, pink and luminous green.
$30.57$35.97Save $5.40 (15%)
See the bundle -
Swivel Pro Bundle
Best for Rigging
Italian snap, screwed snap, crossline and barrel brass weight rolling swivels.
$25.62$28.47Save $2.85 (10%)
See the bundle -
Hook Up Bundle
Best for Building your own
Customise a bundle of hooks and save.
$28.32$31.47Save $3.15 (10%)
See the bundle
Savings are worked out from each bundle's RRP.
Built To Fish. Inspired By Nature.
Fishing guide
Fishing hooks guide
How to choose a fishing hook
Start with your target species and the way you'll fish. A strayline for snapper, a float rig for kahawai and a heavy-duty ledger/dropper rig for hāpuku all call for different hooks and sizes. Wise Angler hooks are made from high-carbon steel and work on snapper, kahawai, kingfish, Australian salmon, red emperor, barramundi, catfish and hāpuku, in salt or fresh water.
Use the hook finder for suggested styles and sizes, or compare styles in the size and style guide.
Circle, octopus, beak or livebait?
Circle hooks (Light Circle and Demon Circle) are designed to set in the corner of the fish's mouth: don't strike, just wind into the weight. Octopus hooks have a short shank and wide gap for bait, and are also a great surfcasting hook. Beak hooks have an extra-long needle point for fast, secure hook-ups. Live Bait hooks are made for livebaiting, with a needle-sharp point and a black nickel finish.
Plastic-free packs
Every Wise Angler pack is 100% plastic-free, in compostable packaging. Read how to home compost Wise Angler packaging.
FAQ
Hooks & swivels questions
What size fishing hook should I use?
Match the hook to your bait, rig and target species. As a guide from our species notes: 3/0 for kahawai strip baits, 4/0 for Australian salmon, 5/0 for snapper, 7/0 and up for large catfish, 6/0 Live Bait hooks for barramundi, 10/0 Luminous Beak or Demon Circle hooks for red emperor, and 10/0 Demon Circle or Luminous Beak hooks for hāpuku. The hook finder above has more.
What are circle hooks good for?
Circle hooks are designed to set in the corner of the fish's mouth, which makes them a good choice for catch and release. Don't strike: just wind into the weight. Our Light Circle Hook is our pick for reef fishing, and the Demon Circle is the heavy circle option. For relaxed catch and release, go big: our largest circle size is the 10/0 Demon Circle.
Which hook is best for surfcasting?
In the surf you want great bait presentation, sharp hooks and long-range casting, on a 12ft surf rod with your preferred reel. Fish dropper rigs or pulley rigs, to name a few, and know your local spots. Octopus hooks are a great surfcasting hook and circle hooks suit surf rigs too. Pair them with the Crossline Rolling Swivel with Pearl Beads for dropper rigs.
Which species do Wise Angler hooks work on?
Our hooks work on a wide range of species, including snapper, kahawai, kingfish, Australian salmon, red emperor, barramundi, catfish and hāpuku, in salt or fresh water.
What are the hooks made from?
Wise Angler hooks are made from high-carbon steel. Our Demon Circle and Live Bait hooks have a black nickel finish.
Is the packaging plastic-free?
Yes. Every pack is 100% plastic-free, in compostable packaging. See how to home compost Wise Angler packaging.
Can I buy hooks and swivels in a bundle?
Yes. Our bundles cost less than buying the packs one by one. The Sample Bundle has one pack of every hook style plus six rolling swivels and snaps, and you choose the size of each pack.