Mustad, Norwegian fishing hooks since 1877

1832: Company founded near Gjøvik
Norway: Hooks made in Gjøvik since 1877
UltraNor: Hook wire forged into an I-beam shape

The story of the brand

From Mathias Topp's machine to UltraNor forging

The Mustad story begins in 1832 near Gjøvik, Norway. Hans Schikkelstad set up a factory there for nails and steel wire. The business later passed to the Mustad family and took the name O. Mustad & Søn.

In 1877, Mathias Topp finished a machine that cut, bent, barbed and pointed a hook straight from the wire. Mustad kept the plans secret rather than file a patent. Hook making then settled in Gjøvik and became the company's main trade.

Today, Mustad designs hooks, jigs and accessories for both saltwater and freshwater. The brand took in TUF-Line braids in 2019, then LIVETARGET lures in 2021. In 2024, it showed UltraNor forging at the ICAST trade show, aimed first at saltwater hooks.

Key dates

1832 A nail and wire factory is founded near Gjøvik
1877 Mathias Topp's hook machine and the start of production
2024 UltraNor forging unveiled at the ICAST trade show

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about the brand

Who founded Mustad and when did it start making hooks?

The company was born in 1832 near Gjøvik, Norway. Hans Schikkelstad set up a factory there for nails and steel wire. It later passed to the Mustad family and became O. Mustad & Søn. Hook production began in 1877, with the machine built by Mathias Topp. The brand's head office is still in Gjøvik.

What is Mustad's UltraNor technology?

UltraNor is a wire forging process that Mustad presented at the ICAST show in 2024. The wire is pressed on every side and takes an I-beam cross-section. According to Mustad, pull strength rises by about 10% for the same wire gauge. UltraNor hooks also get the Titan Steel finish, which resists saltwater corrosion for more than 500 hours.

How do Mustad Demon circle hooks work?

Demon hooks are circle hooks with an almost round bend and a wide gap. When the fish swallows the bait, this shape guides the point to the corner of the mouth. The fish is less often hooked deep, which makes release easier. Mustad fits them with its UltraPoint point.

Mustad, Norwegian hooks since 1877

Mustad is a Norwegian brand based in Gjøvik. The hook is still its core trade. The brand also makes jigs, bags, gloves and fishing glasses. Its range covers sport fishing as well as commercial fishing.

Mustad designs fishing hooks for jigging, casting jigs, live bait and tuna fishing. The Daggerman is a vertical jig with its weight set toward the front. It targets amberjack, yellowtail and dogtooth tuna. The Mezashi is a casting jig with an asymmetric body. It swims with a fast, erratic action on the retrieve.

A craft built around steel wire

Mustad works on the wire shape, the point and the finish of its hooks. Several processes carry a name of their own. Most of them aim at saltwater, where salt and big fish wear steel down fast.

UltraPoint: a fine sharpening of the point, which goes in with less force.
UltraNor: the wire is pressed on every side and takes an I-beam shape.
Titan Steel: a very thin finish that lasts more than 500 hours against salt.
Demon: circle hooks that guide the point to the corner of the mouth.
Kaiju: an in-line eye, made to replace the trebles on topwater lures.

The Ocean Crystal assist hooks and the Jawlok trebles follow the same design choices. Each series starts from one idea: strong wire, a lasting point and a finish made for salt water.

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An expert & passionate team

Mustad: fishing hooks, jigs and accessories

From Mathias Topp's machine to UltraNor forging

Key dates

Products

Single hook Mustad Kaiju

Single hook Mustad Kaiju

Hook Kaiju in line Titan steel

Hook Kaiju in line Titan steel

Mustad Mezashi Casting Jig

Mustad Mezashi Casting Jig

Assist Hook Mustad Ocean Crystal Jigging

Assist Hook Mustad Ocean Crystal Jigging

Jig Mustad Daggerman