VMC 7161 BN 7/0 Jig Hook

Product detailed description

VMC 7161 BN 7/0 jig hook is useful for jig heads carrying larger soft plastics when you need sufficient point reach and clearance within the bend. It measures approximately 66 mm overall and has a 60° bend towards the eye. The high, round bend is particularly useful for deeper-bodied paddle-tails; with a slender soft jerkbait, make sure the shank does not extend into its flexible rear section. Casting your own head lets you match both its shape and weight to this hook 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 7161. 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, round bend provides room for deeper-bodied soft plastics. Lure length is not the only factor: a bulky paddle-tail needs enough space between the shank and point. During a take, its soft body must have room to compress or shift so that it does not prevent the hook from penetrating further. After rigging, leave the point exposed and check the clearance within the bend. This shape is particularly useful where the soft plastic would fill too much of a smaller bend.

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

Size 7/0 measures approximately 66 mm, only about 3 mm longer than the 6/0; the step up to the 8/0 at approximately 79 mm is much greater. If the 7/0 point exits in the right place, a longer hook could unnecessarily restrict movement in the rear of the soft plastic. Compare the fit by holding the hook alongside the lure, and also check the clearance beneath the point. With the right mould, you can use this hook in lighter or heavier jig heads without letting head weight alone determine hook size. The stated length is for the whole hook; part of its front section becomes enclosed in the head during casting.

A pack of 10 hooks is useful for a smaller batch or checking the fit in a new soft plastic. A pack of 50 hooks suits regular production in the same size. Both packs contain the same 7161 BN 7/0 hook. Below the description, you will find compatible moulds and the other hook sizes to help you put together the components you need.

A look inside VMC production
The official film Life of a Hook explores how fishing hooks are made. It shows the manufacturing facilities behind the finished hook.

Watch VMC Life of a Hook on YouTube

Frequently asked questions about VMC 7161 BN 7/0

Why use a quality hook in a jig head you cast yourself?

The mould determines the head’s shape, but the hook handles the hookset and the load from the fish. With the 7161, you choose a specific geometry, forged high-carbon steel and a Needle Sharp point. Casting your own heads lets you combine this hook with the weight and head shape your lure requires.

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

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

When should I stay with 7/0 rather than move up to 8/0?

When the 7/0 point already exits in the right place and the soft plastic has enough room in the bend. Moving from approximately 66 mm to 79 mm significantly increases the length of hook inside the lure and may restrict its flexible section. A heavier head does not, by itself, require a larger hook.

Can I fit a different 7/0 hook in the same mould?

Follow the hook model and size specified for the mould. Two 7/0 hooks can differ in eye bend, length, hook bend and wire diameter. Before casting, dry-fit the hook and its eye and check that the mould closes fully without bending the hook to make it fit.

Can I choose freshwater BN or saltwater TI for the same mould?

In moulds designed for both VMC 7161 BN and VMC 6198 TI, you can choose between finishes in the same hook size to suit where you fish. Use Black Nickel for freshwater rigs and tin-plated TI for saltwater fishing. The equivalent for this size is VMC 6198 TI 7/0. This lets you keep the appropriate mould and choose a finish suited to fresh or salt water.

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

↓ Below the product description, you will also find related and similar products to help you choose and put together a complete setup.