Korda Kamakura Wide Gape

Korda say the original Kamakura starts off as a standard Wide Gape before it gets a special machine-sharpening to give it a much finer point. A finer point should in theory go in with less pressure, which can help with those twitchy takes — but how much difference it makes on your own fishing really depends on your rig and what the bottom is like in your swim.

• That’s Korda’s word on the process.
• A sharper point is nice, but it doesn’t always mean it’ll last longer or hook more fish.

Both these hooks get the Kamakura sharpening treatment, so they should both be proper sharp out the packet. The real difference is that the Kamakura Wide Gape X uses a thicker, beefier wire, while the original is built on the standard Wide Gape wire. Korda don’t say one is sharper than the other, and we haven’t seen any tests to prove it either. If you’re fishing a snaggy swim or need that extra strength, the X is a tougher shout, but don’t expect the point itself to be any different from the original Kamakura.

• Don’t mix up the Kamakura X with the standard Wide Gape X.
• The Kamakura X only comes in barbed at the moment, in sizes 4, 6 and 8.

We reckon there’s no such thing as the ‘best’ hook for every peg. What works for one angler might not be right for the next. It all comes down to the rig you’re using, how thick the wire needs to be, and what the rules are at your local lake. You’ve got to think about the snags, what’s on the bottom, and how much you want to spend too. We’re just looking at the original Kamakura Wide Gape here, so we won’t pretend to rank it against every other hook in the tackle box.

• We’re just talking about this one hook here, not every Korda hook.
• The right hook for you depends on your rig and your venue, not a league table.

We can’t say for sure how many fish you’ll get per hook, but Korda themselves reckon that fine point is proper delicate. They even say you might need to swap for a fresh one after every fish you land. It’s worth checking the point after every cast, especially if you’re fishing over gravel or if the nuisance fish are being a bit lively. If the point looks a bit dodgy or feels blunt, don’t risk it—just put a new one on. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when you’re waiting for that one big run.

• That’s Korda’s warning, not a number we’ve come up with ourselves.
• You can use our calculator to see how much it’ll cost you based on how often you reckon you’ll swap them.

You can get the original Kamakura Wide Gape in both barbed and barbless, with sizes 4, 6 and 8 available in both. Just keep in mind that the Kamakura Wide Gape X is only listed as barbed for now. It’s a big deal if you’re fishing a venue that only allows barbless, so always double-check your packet before you tie one on. We always reckon it’s worth a quick look at the fishery rules before you head to your swim, just so you don’t get caught out with the wrong gear on the day.

• The original comes both ways, barbed and barbless.
• Korda say the Kamakura X is currently barbed only.

Korda say this pattern is a good shout for all sorts of bottom baits and pop-ups. That means it should work for most of your usual rigs, but it doesn’t mean it’s the perfect fit for every single setup. We haven’t seen a specific mention of spinner rigs in the official info, so that’s really down to how you like to fish. If you’re trying something different, just make sure the hook eye fits your swivel and the whole thing sits right. Always check your rig in the margins before you cast it out to the peg.

• Korda reckon it’s good for bottom baits and pop-ups.
• Whether it works for a spinner rig is really up to how you set it up.

If you’re the type of angler who wants a sticky-sharp hook ready to go without any fuss, then these are a real treat. The downside is that Korda say the point is so fine you might be swapping hooks more often, which can start to add up. Whether the extra cost is worth it depends on how often you change hooks anyway. You can use our calculator to put in the price you’ve seen at the shop and see how it looks for your own fishing, rather than just guessing.

• We don’t have a live price here, so it’s worth checking your local shop.
• Value depends on how often you swap hooks, which varies angler to angler.

That little wax blob is just there to keep the fine point safe while it’s in the packet, so you definitely need to peel it off before you fish. Korda say to do it carefully when you’re getting the hook ready, so you don’t end up blunting that sharp point before it’s even seen the water. Try not to scrape it against anything hard and give the point a quick look once the wax is gone. We haven’t got any secret tricks for getting it off—just follow what Korda say and be gentle with it.

• The wax has to go—it’s not meant to be on there when you’re fishing.
• Just peel it off by hand, no need for any fancy tools or heat.

It can be a bit confusing with all the different names, but they aren’t all the same. The standard Wide Gape is the original tough hook, and you can get that in sizes from 2 right down to 10 in barbed or barbless. The Kamakura Wide Gape is the one with the extra-sharp point in sizes 4, 6 and 8, both barbed and barbless. Then you’ve got the Kamakura Wide Gape X, which has that same sharp point but on a thicker, stronger wire—though Korda only list that one in barbed at the moment. There’s also a plain Wide Gape X which isn’t Kamakura-sharpened. It really depends on your swim and what you’re after on the day.

• Don’t forget the plain Wide Gape X is another thing entirely.
• Just because it says X doesn’t mean it’s the sharpest one in the box.

You’ve always got to check the rules at the lake first, as some places won’t let you use barbed hooks at all. The original Kamakura Wide Gape comes in sizes 4, 6 and 8 in both styles, so you’ve got a few options. We reckon you should pick a size that fits the bait you’re using and the rig you’ve tied, but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. We haven’t fished with all these variants yet, so we can’t tell you which one to pick for your next session. Just make sure to double-check the packet when you buy them.

• Fishery rules are the boss—always check them before you start.
• The codes on the packets might be slightly different from what you see online.