Don't try to straighten circle hooks

Thinking I was being smart I clamped it in my vise and put a torch on this big hook.  Then grabbed the tip with pliers to straighten it.  I was surprised this metal wasn't more ductile.  Maybe the heat changed the properties to make it brittle?  I'll be swapping these out now.

For scale, these are big.

I don't temper stainless. But with carbon steel I heat till red. More to it. At this point the steel is hard and will snap. While still hot I slide it into the oven at 425 for 2 hours. This will take some of the temper out. Will flex and not snap. I'll try a hook next time.

Or you could just buy some high quality j hooks. The last thing I would want is to loose a monster halibut to a broken hook. Get some Gami Big River Bait hooks and call it good.

Or you could just buy some high quality j hooks. The last thing I would want is to loose a monster halibut to a broken hook. Get some Gami Big River Bait hooks and call it good.

Definitely!  Thanks for the hook recommendation.

I like the 9/0 and 10/0 if I'm running a double hook mooching type set up. 12/0's for single hook use. They are sharp as hell and hold really well. Great lingcod hook too.