Description
One of the toughest hooks on the market, Ahrex's SA270 Bluewater Hooks are made for beasts-both the fleyes and the fish. An ultra-strong and ultra-sharp hook, Ahrex's SA270 comes in massive sizes to imitate large baits with a wide gap and short shank, and it features an A-Steel Finish, chemically sharpened point, and thick wire. A favorite when pursuing brutish saltwater species like marlin, GTs, tuna, trophy striped bass, and more, you can rely on this hook anytime you're casting at fish that can rip a hundred yards of backing off of your reel before you can say the word wow. Whether you're drifting forty miles offshore chasing a school of ballyhoo getting preyed on or casting large Hollow Fleyes into the rocky coast of Maine, this is the hook for the job.
Uses
The SA270 is a very versatile platform, and you can use it anytime large imitations are needed; with its wide gap and heavy build, it does an excellent job at keeling large flies. From squid to herring, menhaden to mackerel, lobsters to huge crabs, this hook can do it all. The SA270 is an especially popular choice for tying large SF flies like the Mega Mushy or more natural patterns like the Hollow Fleye or Bob Popovics's Beast Fleye.
Comparisons
Another heavy-duty hook that you can use to chase tough fish is Gamakatsu's SL12s Big Game Bluewater Hook. Like the SA270, this hook is super tough and can stand up to the giants out there, and it has a pretty similar profile. However, there are two differences between these hooks-the SL12S has a tin finish, while the SA270 has a steel finish, so depending on where and what you're fishing for, one may be a better choice. Another difference is that the SA270 has a little wider gap, which helps when tying bulky flies or when you need to maximize your hookup strength. Regardless of which of these two hooks you choose, you can rest easy knowing that they've both caught some of the largest fish out there.
