Gold Label Tackle have been around in the angling industry since the inception of modern day specialist angling, and have been at the forefront of a lot of the tackle that anglers use today. The GLT Penetrator hooks have a cult following within angling circles and those that do use them, try to keep them a secret close to their chest.

The Penetrator range is now one of the most comprehensive ranges of high quality, purpose designed big fish hooks available. In total, there is 5 patterns in the range that are exclusive to GLT. All the Penetrator hooks are manufactured to precise tolerances from the highest quality Japanese steel, and all are finished using an exclusive three phase tempering process to GLT for ultimate performance and reliability.

UKMA have already reviewed the Penetrator 2 pattern in a previous review (which can be found HERE), and we have now received 3 of the remaining patterns to put through their paces.

S/S Penetrator

Available in sizes 4, 6, 8, 10 in both barbed or barbless.

The S/S (or Super Strong) Penetrator hook is a classic pattern that has fallen out of favour with some anglers nowadays due to the amount of empahisis being placed on certain hooks for certain rig presentations, but the S/S Penetrator still has a big part to play in most of the common rigs used all over the world.

The short shank of the pattern allows itself perfectly for extension with shrink tube and the straight eye allows all types of hooklink material to be used without creating a weak spot at the knot. The inturned point allows the hook to be perfect for popup rigs as well as with bottom baits over hard or rough substrates, minimising the risk of the point being damaged by gravel or flint. The point itself is super sharp and is amongst the sharpest I have ever experienced from a hook straight out of the packet!!! The bend is reversed which will ensure that good hookholds are kept once the point has penetrated. The micro barb that is present on the barbed version is one of the smallest I have witnessed in modern day hooks, and is easily crushed should the angler prefer to do this.

The finish is not of the latest trend for coating of hooks in teflon or anti-glare coatings, but is in the classic bronzed finish.

To test the strength of the wire on the S/S Penetrator, I hung weights totally over 40lb on the bend of a size 8 hook and it did not bend at all!!! Truely super strong!

If you need a hook that is not going to let you down, then take a seriously close look at the S/S Penetrator as you can be certain that these will not open up on any fish that you are going to hook in UK freshwater!

Penetrator One

Available in sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 in both barbed or barbless.

The Penetrator One hook is another classic pattern that has stood the test of time.

Designed with a medium length shank that runs into a specially designed bend, the Penetrator One pattern allows for a wide variation in hair exit points along the shank and onto the bend. The slightly inturned eye allows for the hook to turn quickly in the fishes mouth and with the slightly reversed bend, will ensure that once the hook has taken "bite", it will take something extraordinary to come out.

The finish on the hooks are dark but uncoated, so the hook will blend in well over most substrates.

The barb again like the S/S Penetrator, is tiny and lends itself well to being crushed if required.

As before, the point is super sharp and even the lightest touch will cause the point to stick in skin. The point is also inturned slightly to lower risk of damage when used with bottom baits.

The Penetrator One is a pattern that lends itself to all braided hooklink presentations, and can be used with supple mono or flourocarbon materials. When used with a shrinktube "kicker", the Penetrator One will turn aggressively everytime.

A superb general purpose hook that has commended a fir hold in the box.

Penetrator Carp & Catfish

Available in sizes 4 through to 8/0! in barbed only.

The Penetrator Carp & Catfish hook is the ultimate in big fish single hooks. Available in the bigger sizes that are used in freshwater, these hooks will not let you down in the most extreme situations.

Very similar in design to the Penetrator One above, the Penetrator Carp & Catfish has a wider gape and a straight eye.

The wide gape permits the use of lip hooked live or deadbaits when fishing for catfish or other predators without risk of the point being masked, as well as allowing for superb hooking of the larger fish with cavernous mouths where a narrower gape could miss taking hold.

Again, the bend is slightly reversed so it will stay put once in. The barb is tiny considering the type of hook it is designed to be and is easily crushed where venues prefer this arrangement.

The strength of this pattern is in the same league as the Super Strong Penetrators, and the size 4 did not flinch when over 40lb of weight was hung from it!

I know for a fact that these hooks will be used on a couple of venues that hold some large catfish as well as carp where I will be fishing in the coming months. The only way that you will open one of these hooks out is if you hook a submarine!

Final Thoughts

The Penetrator range of hooks deserve to be in every anglers tackle boxes and shop shelves. It has been a while since I have had the GLT range in my armoury, but now that they are back in the box, it is going to take something very special to remove them! If you haven't yet experienced the GLT Penetrator hooks, I whole heartedly recommend that you give them a try and you will not be disappointed!