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| Gamakatsu |
| Fishing Hooks |
| Fishing Rods |
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Gamakatsu is the leading fish hook manufacturer in the world, dedicated to constantly researching its markets and developing unique products that meet the needs of fishermen.
History of Gamakatsu
Gamakatsu started producing fish hooks in 1955. At that time, they were the smallest hook manufacturer in Japan and all of their hooks were made by hand. In 1963 they introduced a new automated heating facility which catapulted them to the forefront of the Japanese market. In 1974, they introduced fully automated hook making machines and found it necessary to build a second factory in order to meet the demand they had created.
In 1976, being well established as the leading Japanese hook manufacturer, Gamakatsu started building a new factory to produce high quality fishing rods for the Japanese market.
After upgrading the hook manufacturing machines in 1986, they expanded their product line. As the result, Gamakatsu Co. Ltd became a major manufacturer with a full line of high quality fishing rods, hooks, apparel, and fishing related items by 1987.
In 1988, after upgrading the automated tempering facilities and expanding the hook factory, Gamakatsu Co. Ltd. opened Gamakatsu International Co., Ltd. in Thailand and Gamakatsu Shantou Co. Ltd. in China in 1989. These two factories import hooks from Japan to get them final products such as snelling, rigging, tying flies, and packaging.
When anglers purchase Gamakatsu hooks, they are buying an original product made by Gamakatsu. Many hook suppliers are using fabricated Japanese sounding names bought from several different manufacturers.
Market Leader
Gamakatsu is the leading fish hook manufacturer in Japan. They are constantly testing new materials, trying to improve their product which already sets the standard for the rest of the industry.
In 1992 Gamakatsu USA inc. was established to provide Gamakatsu brand hooks to the U.S. market, followed by SPRO, The Official Gamakatsu's exclusive agent, established in the Netherlands in 1994 to service the European market. Obviously, Gamakatsu is well on it's way of achieving their goal of becoming the market leader in the USA and Europe as well!
