VMC Tournament Circle Hook
The VMC Tournament Circle Hook (7385) is a premium non-offset circle hook designed for serious saltwater live-bait fishing and tournament applications where dependable hook placement, strength and penetration matter.
Built from forged Hi-Carbon Steel, the 7385 combines an extra-wide gap, Needle Point and micro barb with a 1X Strong construction. VMC specifically designed this hook to optimize hook-up rates while live-bait trolling for billfish.
Tournament-Approved Non-Offset Design
The Tournament Circle Hook uses a non-offset point, an important distinction from VMC's offset SureSet Circle Hook.
The inline circle-hook geometry is designed to move toward the corner of the fish's mouth as steady pressure comes onto the line rather than relying on a traditional hard hookset.
That makes it an excellent choice for offshore natural-bait applications and situations where anglers specifically need a non-offset circle hook.
Extra-Wide Gap
VMC designed the 7385 with an extra-wide gap, providing additional clearance when rigging larger live baits.
VMC describes the 7385 as offering its widest gap among tournament-approved circle hooks, specifically to improve hook-up performance when trolling live bait for billfish.
The wide-gap design makes it particularly useful when rigging larger natural baits where you don't want the bait interfering with the hook point.
Forged Hi-Carbon Steel
The 7385 is manufactured from premium Hi-Carbon Steel and uses a forged construction for additional strength.
VMC rates the hook as 1X Strong, providing a useful balance between hook strength and the relatively light presentation desired when fishing live bait.
VMC Needle Point
VMC's chemically sharpened Needle Point is designed for fast, efficient penetration.
Rather than simply grinding the point, VMC uses a tempering process that compresses the steel fibers into a conical point. The result is an extremely sharp point designed to maintain strength under the pressure generated by powerful fish and braided line.
Micro Barb
A micro barb helps keep fish pinned while maintaining a relatively streamlined point profile.
Combined with the Needle Point and non-offset circle design, it gives offshore anglers a hook designed around efficient penetration and dependable hook retention.
Built for Offshore Live Bait
Although designed specifically around live-bait trolling for billfish, the Tournament Circle Hook is also well suited to other heavy saltwater natural-bait applications.
Best For
- Sailfish
- White Marlin
- Live-Bait Trolling
- Offshore Live Bait
- Large Natural Baits
- Kite Fishing
- Drift Fishing
- Tournament Fishing
- Pelagic Gamefish
Available Sizes
VMC currently offers the 7385 Tournament Circle Hook in:
5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0 and 9/0
Retail packs contain 7 hooks, with 50-count configurations also listed by VMC.
Choosing Between VMC SureSet & Tournament Circle Hooks
These two VMC hooks serve different purposes.
The VMC SureSet Circle Hook is an offset, 1X Strong Vanadium Steel hook offered from Size 6 through 5/0. It's the more versatile choice for everyday fresh- and saltwater live-bait fishing.
The VMC Tournament Circle Hook is non-offset with an extra-wide gap, offered in larger 5/0–9/0 sizes and specifically designed around offshore tournament and billfish live-bait applications.
I would internally link these two PDPs. They're close enough that a customer could easily be deciding between them, but their applications are meaningfully different.
Features
- 1X Strong
- Non-offset circle-hook design
- Extra-wide gap
- Forged construction
- Premium Hi-Carbon Steel
- Chemically sharpened VMC Needle Point
- Micro barb
- Designed for live-bait trolling
- Tournament-oriented design
- Sizes 5/0 through 9/0
Premier Tackle Take
The VMC Tournament Circle Hook is the one we'd choose over the SureSet when the application moves into larger offshore live baits and tournament-style fishing.
The important differences are the non-offset point, extra-wide gap and larger 5/0–9/0 size range. For everyday inshore live bait, the SureSet gives you more small-size options. For sailfish, larger live baits and offshore applications where you specifically want a non-offset circle hook, the Tournament Circle is the better fit.
Premier Tackle — We Carry What Works.
