Gamakatsu: Japanese hook maker since 1955

1955: Founded in Nishiwaki, Japan
Japan: Hooks made in the Japanese factory
High Carbon: Steel developed with a steel maker for its hooks

The story of the brand

From Shigekatsu Fujii's workshop to automated factories

Shigekatsu Fujii founded Gamakatsu in 1955 in Nishiwaki, Japan. The brand name joins one character taken from his home area and one from his first name. At first, Gamakatsu was the smallest hook maker in the country, and every hook was made by hand. Fujii was an angler himself: he spread the word by sending sample packs to other anglers.

In 1963, the company installed an automated heating plant for tempering. This moved it to the front of the Japanese market. In 1974 came fully automated hook machines, and a second factory was needed. In 1976, Gamakatsu started making rods, first for shore fishing (iso), then for ayu fishing.

The brand then looked abroad. Gamakatsu USA was set up in 1992. In 1994, Gamakatsu created Spro in the Netherlands to serve Europe. Today the brand makes hooks, rods and fishing clothing, and keeps the course it set at the start: Nature and Technology.

Key dates

1955 Shigekatsu Fujii founds Gamakatsu in Nishiwaki, Japan
1974 Fully automated hook machines and a second factory
1994 Spro is set up in the Netherlands to serve Europe

Technical data

SKU Brand Range Material Weight (g) Target species Recommended techniques Action Length (mm) Length (cm) Length (m) Category Mounting Number of pieces Line weight Blank power Manufacturer power ID1 (mm) OD1 ID2 (mm) OD2 Butt measurement (mm) Tip measurement (mm) IP AA Packed size (cm) Recommended tip Marking Ferrule type Handle type Grip type Cut-out Thread size Color preserver Ceramic Frame Fixing L1 L2 IT1 Height Lure type Strength Head length (mm) Head weight at 30 ft (g) Retrieve (cm) Sinking speed Head weight (g) Density Handle

SKU 4869-172

Brand Gamakatsu

Weight (g) 48.0

Target species Brochet, Black bass

Recommended techniques Swimbait

Length (cm) 17.0

Category Pêche des carnassiers en eau douce

Number of pieces 1

Lure type Glide bait, Hard swimbait

LUXXE Laughin' 170

20,79€

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SKU 149395-100

Brand Gamakatsu

Target species Sandre, Brochet, Black bass

Category Pêche des carnassiers en eau douce

Number of pieces 6

Treble 18 Black

9,58€

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SKU 185003-200

Gamakatsu Worm 318 Wacky Hook

1,91€

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SKU 7239-710

Brand Gamakatsu

G-Waterproof Gloves

37,42€

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SKU 4628-3

Brand Gamakatsu

Weight (g) 14.0

Number of pieces 1

Softbait Spiral Stinger

4,79€

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SKU 7239-510

Brand Gamakatsu

Weight (g) 26.0

G-Power gloves

37,42€

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about the brand

Who founded Gamakatsu and where does the name come from?

Gamakatsu was founded in 1955 by Shigekatsu Fujii in Nishiwaki, in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The name joins one character from the founder's home area and one from his first name. In its early days, the brand was the smallest hook maker in Japan. Its hooks were then made entirely by hand.

Where are Gamakatsu hooks made?

Gamakatsu hooks are made in Japan, in the brand's own factory. In 1989, Gamakatsu opened two sites in Thailand and China. These sites receive hooks shipped from Japan. They use them for snelled hooks, rigs, flies and packaging.

What is Gamakatsu High Carbon steel?

It is a steel Gamakatsu developed with a steel maker, just for its hooks. It holds more carbon and very few impurities. To work it, the brand developed an electronic tempering process. Each hook is heated to the right temperature for its pattern and size, then cooled in oil. The goal is a hook that is hard but not brittle.

Gamakatsu, the Japanese hook maker

Gamakatsu is a Japanese brand based in Nishiwaki, in Hyogo Prefecture. Its core trade is making fishing hooks. It also makes rods, clothing and fishing accessories. Its guiding theme has an English name, Nature and Technology. The idea is simple: build technical products for anglers without harming the natural world. The brand has followed this line since 1955.

The hooks are made in Japan, in the brand's own factory. In 1989, Gamakatsu opened two sites in Thailand and China. These sites receive hooks shipped from Japan. They use them for snelled hooks, rigs, flies and packaging. The hook itself is still made in Japan. The Japanese factory makes both single hooks and treble hooks.

Its own steel and tempering

At Gamakatsu, the quality of a hook comes down to three things: the steel, the tempering and the point. Gamakatsu worked with a steel maker to develop a steel just for its hooks. This steel, called High Carbon, holds more carbon and very few impurities. To work it, the brand created its own electronic tempering process. Each hook is heated to the right temperature for its pattern and size. It is then cooled in oil. The goal is a hook that is hard but not brittle. The point gets special care: it is sharpened into a cone, like a needle.

A steel designed for making hooks.
Heating set for each pattern and each size.
Cooling in oil after heating.
A conical point sharpened like a needle.
Large production runs with steady quality.

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Shock-resistant packaging

An expert & passionate team

Gamakatsu: Japanese fishing hooks and gloves

From Shigekatsu Fujii's workshop to automated factories

Key dates