Photos: Drennan · supplied retailer imagery
Predator tackle · Pike hooks · Our take
Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks
Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks
A tidy range of strong, sharp pike hooks with sensible size and barb options for wire traces, deadbaits and predator rigs.
- Available in sizes 4, 6 and 8.
- Barbed and semi-barbed versions are available.
- Ground and chemically etched needle points are designed for sharp, reliable hooking.
- Slim-line eye, low-profile shallow-cut barb and gunmetal metallic finish.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks range, available in sizes 4, 6 and 8, with barbed and semi-barbed options depending on the model.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A strong, focused pike hook range with useful options and a fair specialist-tackle price.
- Product Quality9.1/10
- Performance9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.8/10
- Ease of Use8.8/10
- Value for Money8.4/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Pike anglers tying their own wire traces. The slim-line eye and sharp point make these a sensible starting point for tidy predator rigs.
- Anglers who fish venues with different hook rules. The range includes barbed and semi-barbed versions, giving you more flexibility when choosing tackle for the water.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers wanting one pattern for every size and barb combination. The availability differs between models, so you’ll need to check the exact option before buying.
- Anyone after the absolute cheapest hooks for bulk trace building. At £6.89 per option, they’re aimed more at dependable specialist tackle than bargain-basement quantities.
The lowdown
Introducing the Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks
A tidy range of strong, sharp pike hooks with sensible size and barb options for wire traces, deadbaits and predator rigs.
- Available in sizes 4, 6 and 8.
- Barbed and semi-barbed versions are available.
- Ground and chemically etched needle points are designed for sharp, reliable hooking.
- Slim-line eye, low-profile shallow-cut barb and gunmetal metallic finish.
Quick verdict
Sharp, strong and properly useful
The Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks look like a dependable choice for building pike traces, with sharp chemically etched points, a slim-line eye and a low-profile shallow-cut barb.
The range isn’t trying to be clever or flashy. It’s about giving you sensible hook sizes and barb options that work neatly with Drennan wire and standard pike rigs.
A strong, focused pike hook range with useful options and a fair specialist-tackle price.
- Product Quality
- 9.1/10
- Performance
- 9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.8/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.8/10
- Value for Money
- 8.4/10
Sharp etched points, a strong build, slim-line eye and tidy finish give it the makings of quality predator terminal tackle.
The design is well suited to producing secure pike traces for deadbait and general predator work.
A sharp needle point and sensible size range can help with clean, positive hook placement when the rig is matched properly to the bait.
The slim eye and straightforward hook design should make trace tying relatively simple, although the range options need checking carefully.
£6.89 per option is reasonable for specialist pike hooks, though costs can mount if you’re building lots of traces.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks
Pike hooks need to do one job properly: stay sharp, stay strong and give you a clean chance of getting a bait away without turning the trace into a bit of a circus. The Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks look built around exactly that idea. No daft extras. Just a specialist hook range for predator anglers who want dependable terminal tackle.
You get sizes 4, 6 and 8, with barbed and semi-barbed versions available across the range. That gives you a decent bit of wiggle room for different deadbaits, livebait-style presentations where permitted, and the sort of hook choice that keeps you within venue rules. Always check the exact option before clicking buy, mind.
The business end is nicely sorted. These hooks have ground and chemically etched needle points, which is the sort of detail you want when a pike picks up a bait and you’re relying on a crisp, positive strike. A properly sharp point helps it find its way home without you having to leather the rod like you’re trying to shift a tree stump.
They’re described as exceptionally strong and reliable, and that’s the right brief for pike tackle. You’re dealing with a powerful fish, sharp teeth and often awkward situations around weed, reed beds or a snaggy margin. A hook that feels too delicate has no place on that sort of job. These are clearly intended to be part of a robust wire trace setup.
The slim-line eye is another useful touch. It keeps the hook looking relatively neat on a wire trace and should make tying or crimping your rig less of a faff. For a standard snap tackle or deadbait trace, a compact hook connection is generally preferable to anything bulky that makes the business end look like a coat hanger.
The low-profile shallow-cut barb should appeal if you like a secure hold without a huge lump of metal sticking out behind the point. It’s still important to handle pike carefully and use proper unhooking tools, of course. The hook design doesn’t replace good fish care, but a neat barb profile can make the whole rig feel less clumsy.
The gunmetal metallic finish keeps things understated. That matters more for confidence and neat presentation than any magic invisibility claims. Pike aren’t going to inspect your terminal tackle with a magnifying glass, but a dark finish looks tidy against a deadbait and doesn’t scream shiny object in clear water.
Size choice is where you’ll want to think about the bait and the way you’re fishing. A size 8 can suit smaller offerings and a less intrusive presentation, while sizes 6 and 4 give you more hook presence for larger baits or when you want a bit more authority. Don’t automatically reach for the biggest hook, though. Match it to the bait and keep the rig balanced.
The price is listed at £6.89 per option. That isn’t bargain-bin money, but it’s not wildly out of order for specialist predator hooks either. If you’re tying a handful of quality traces for a pike campaign, the cost is fairly easy to swallow. If you’re building a box full of rigs for every possible bait and swim, the quid can add up fairly quickly.
Overall, the E-Sox Pike Hooks look like proper sensible pike tackle. They cover the key sizes, offer barbed and semi-barbed choices, and bring together a strong build with a sharp point and tidy eye. They won’t make a blank impossible, sadly, but they should give you one less thing to worry about when the rods are out and a pike is on the munch.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Sizes
- 4, 6 and 8
- Versions
- Barbed and semi-barbed
- Point
- Ground and chemically etched needle point
- Finish
- Gunmetal metallic
- Eye and barb
- Slim-line eye with a low-profile shallow-cut barb
- Recommended trace material
- Drennan wire
Specs checked with Drennan, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
A no-nonsense pike hook range
For predator anglers, the good stuff is often the boring stuff: a reliable point, enough strength for a proper pike and an eye that doesn’t turn trace-making into a faff. That’s the E-Sox Pike Hooks in a nutshell.
The choice between barbed and semi-barbed versions is especially handy. You can match the hook to your venue rules and preferred unhooking approach, while sizes 4, 6 and 8 cover a decent spread of deadbait and rig situations.
Closer look
What you’re buying
The E-Sox Pike Hooks are specialist predator hooks with a gunmetal metallic finish, slim-line eye and ground, chemically etched needle point. They’re made for pike fishing rather than being a generic coarse hook pressed into service.
Sizes 4, 6 and 8 cover the usual spread of pike bait presentations. Smaller baits can suit the size 8, while sizes 6 and 4 offer more hook presence for bigger deadbaits and meatier rigs. Keep the hook proportional to the bait rather than simply choosing the biggest one in the packet.
The low-profile shallow-cut barb gives you a secure point without a massively pronounced barb. The slim eye is useful when joining the hook to Drennan wire, whether you’re making a straightforward deadbait trace or a more involved two-hook arrangement.
Worth knowing. The listed price is £6.89 per option, and the available combinations vary. Barbed size 4 and 6 models are listed, while the semi-barbed range includes sizes 4, 6 and 8. Check the exact model before ordering.
Who it suits
A good fit for tidy pike traces
These should suit pike anglers who prefer tying their own traces and want a hook designed around wire work. The sharp point and strong construction are the main attractions when you’re fishing deadbaits in open water, along reed lines or tight into the margins.
They’re also handy for anglers who fish more than one venue. Having barbed and semi-barbed choices means you can select the right option for local rules and your preferred rig setup, rather than forcing one hook pattern to do everything.
They’re less suited to someone chasing the cheapest possible hooks for a huge pile of traces. At £6.89 per option, these sit in the specialist tackle bracket. You’re paying for a purpose-built pike hook and a choice of sizes, not just a fistful of anonymous metal.
FAQs in full
The bits you’ll want to know
Are they suitable for deadbaiting? Yes. The size range and pike-specific construction make them a natural fit for deadbait traces. Choose the hook size around the bait, keeping the rig neat and avoiding unnecessary bulk.
Which version should you choose? Go barbed where your rules and fishing style allow it, or choose semi-barbed where that’s preferred or required. Either way, carry proper forceps or unhooking tools and deal with pike calmly on the bank.
Can they be used with other wire? They’re recommended for Drennan wire, but the important thing is that your chosen wire, crimps and trace components are matched properly. Build a complete rig that’s strong enough for the venue rather than focusing only on the hook.
Worth knowing. The hook is only one part of the setup. Sharp points, suitable wire, secure connections and safe unhooking kit all need to be bob on before you send a bait out.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Sharp ground and chemically etched needle points.
- Strong design intended specifically for pike fishing.
- Useful choice of sizes and barb configurations.
- Slim-line eye works neatly with pike wire.
- Low-profile shallow-cut barb is less bulky than a big traditional barb.
Worth knowing
- Not every size is listed in both barbed and semi-barbed versions.
- You’ll need to choose the right pattern and size before ordering.
- At £6.89 per option, a few packs can soon add up when building several traces.
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What sizes are the Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks available in?
What sizes are the Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks available in?
The range is available in sizes 4, 6 and 8. The exact size and barb choice depends on the individual option.
02Are Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks barbed?
Are Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks barbed?
Both barbed and semi-barbed versions are available. Check the product option carefully, as the listed combinations aren’t identical across the range.
03What wire should I use with these hooks?
What wire should I use with these hooks?
They’re recommended for use with Drennan wire. Match the wire and trace strength to the pike fishing you’re doing, your bait size and the snags or weed in the swim.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: sharp, strong and properly useful. The strongest reasons to choose it are sharp ground and chemically etched needle points. and strong design intended specifically for pike fishing.; the main trade-off is not every size is listed in both barbed and semi-barbed versions..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Sharp ground and chemically etched needle points.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Pike anglers tying their own wire traces: The slim-line eye and sharp point make these a sensible starting point for tidy predator rigs.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “Not every size is listed in both barbed and semi-barbed versions.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks
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Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Drennan E-Sox Pike Hooks. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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