VMC 6198 TI 9/0 Jig Hook

Product detailed description

VMC 6198 TI 9/0 jig hook has an overall length of approximately 86 mm for rigging larger soft plastics with a longer hook. It is useful when a shorter hook does not reach the intended exit point in the solid part of the lure, provided the body still leaves sufficient space below the point. The TI tin plating is intended for saltwater fishing. Its Heavy 60° Hybrid design features a 60° bend towards the eye and a high, open bend. Casting a head around it requires a mould suitable for this exact model and size.

The hook comes from French manufacturer VMC, which has made fishing hooks since 1910 and still operates its own production facility in Morvillars. Wire forming, heat treatment, sharpening and surface finishing are all part of its manufacturing process, and the company designs its own production machinery. For the angler, the useful results are a precise shape for fitting the mould, strength under load and a sharp point ready for use.

Hi-Carbon steel and a forged construction provide the structural foundation of the 6198. Forging helps the hook resist opening out. VMC also uses hardening followed by tempering to balance hardness and toughness. The Needle Sharp point is ground and chemically sharpened to initiate penetration with low resistance during the hookset. The bend and body then carry the load while playing the fish. These are practical reasons to build a quality hook into a jig head you cast yourself.

The high, open bend leaves room for deeper-bodied soft plastics. With a bulky paddle-tail, there must still be space between the shank and point after rigging. During a take, the soft body compresses and shifts. If it fills the entire bend, it can obstruct point penetration. Hold the hook alongside the lure before rigging, then check that the point is exposed and the tail remains free to move. A deep-bodied paddle-tail and a slender soft jerkbait of the same length may need different hooks.

Why a 60° bend? The front section angles the eye forwards from the shank, whereas a right-angle jig hook has a 90° bend. The eye is where the leader pulls on the entire head. Its position relative to the centre of gravity therefore affects how the head tilts as you retrieve or lift it. A suitable mould uses this geometry for a particular head shape and presentation. The 60° figure describes the hook construction. The head, lure, current and direction of pull together determine the position of the soft plastic in the water.

Keeper-Hold™ refers to a flattened section of the shank. It is a feature of the hook wire itself. Its position relative to the finished head depends on the mould you choose, so check how the shank seats along with the eye and front bend. Retention of the soft plastic behind the head is provided by a cast-on keeper or a separate wire keeper, depending on the mould. Keeper-Hold is not a separate spike onto which you thread the lure.

Size 9/0 has an overall length of approximately 86 mm, placing the point further along the lure than size 8/0 at around 79 mm. That extra reach is useful only if it suits the body shape. An overly long shank can restrict movement in the rear of the soft plastic even when the high bend accommodates the body. Hold the hook alongside the lure first and compare the point exit position with the start of the flexible tail. Do not choose 9/0 solely because you want a heavier casting. The quoted length is for the complete hook; part of the front section is enclosed in the head during casting.

Each pack contains 10 VMC 6198 TI hooks in size 9/0. Use them to cast a batch of jig heads with the same hook. Before your next trip, check point sharpness, any deformation and the condition of the finish after contact with rocks. A quality hook earns its place in your casting when it remains correctly rigged and ready to transmit both the hookset and the load of playing a fish.

See how VMC hooks are made
The official film Life of a Hook takes you inside fishing hook production and shows the manufacturing behind the finished hook.

Watch VMC Life of a Hook on YouTube

Frequently asked questions about VMC 6198 TI 9/0

Is TI nickel-plated or stainless steel?

No. TI stands for Tin, a tin-plated finish on a steel hook. VMC uses it for saltwater applications. The steel still needs care: rinse the hook after fishing and let it dry before storing.

How can I tell whether a deeper-bodied lure has enough room inside the bend?

After rigging the lure straight, the point must remain exposed and the body must not fill all the space beneath it. Gently compress the soft plastic to check that the material can move aside without obstructing the hook. Assess body depth and softness as well as the overall length of the lure.

Will 9/0 fit a mould that accepts 8/0?

Approval for 8/0 alone does not establish compatibility with 9/0. Size 9/0 has a longer body and may need a different hook channel and more space for the bend. Choose a mould specifically suitable for VMC 6198 TI 9/0. The hook must fit without being bent to shape, and the mould must close fully.

Can I switch between saltwater TI and freshwater BN in the same mould?

With suitable moulds, VMC 6198 TI and 7161 BN can be interchanged in the same size to choose the required finish. However, the 7161 BN range offered by SAF stops at 8/0, so there is no same-size counterpart to this TI 9/0. A smaller 8/0 is not the same hook size.

How should I care for the hook after saltwater fishing?

Rinse the entire rig in fresh water and dry it before closing it in a tackle box. After hitting rocks, check the point and hook shape. Tin plating provides a protective layer for saltwater use, but it does not replace maintenance or make a damaged hook fit for continued use.

→ All detailed technical information is provided below in the Product parameters table.

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