Fathom Offshore is excited to announce the release of the Pro-Series Sta-Stuk Hookset, a game-changing addition to our lineup of premium, tournament-grade trolling gear. Built in-house at our U.S. facility to professional standards, this new hookset combines Fathom’s proven rigging expertise with the revolutionary FUDO Sta-Stuk Kona Cut Needle Eye hook - a patented design that has redefined big-game hooks.
A Revolutionary Hook Design:
Sta-Stuk is the brainchild of Sam Peters, founder of Release Marine, and is protected under U.S. Patent #10405529. Unlike traditional hooks, which act as levers and create rotational torque during a fight, Sta-Stuk is engineered to reduce pulled hooks caused by this leverage.
Using a system of sleeves and welded rings, the hook remains intact on the strike but separates under a precise amount of pressure. This shortens the effective shank length, dramatically reducing torque and lowering the chance of pulled or thrown hooks. The result is a more secure connection and a dramatically improved hookup ratio when targeting marlin and other billfish.
After years of worldwide testing - from Cape Verde and Costa Rica to the United States, Sta-Stuk has proven itself in the toughest marlin fisheries. Logged results in 2021 showed a 75% hookup-to-release ratio across hundreds of Blue Marlin bites. Top captains, including Marty Bates of La Onda Milla fame, have endorsed it as the most effective trolling hook available today.
Built in the USA, Rigged to Win:
While the Sta-Stuk hook body is forged by master craftsmen in Japan, every Fathom Pro-Series Sta-Stuk Hookset is assembled and inspected in our U.S. facility. Each rig is built on 920 lb stainless (49-strand) 7x7 cable, double-spun for durability and rigidity (with exception of 9/0), and finished with clear 3:1 adhesive-lined heat-shrink tubing. This allows anglers to inspect crimps while ensuring corrosion resistance and a semi-stiff profile for proper lure tracking.
The hooksets are also slightly longer than our traditional builds, The slightly stiffer profile improves bait tracking and hook presentation, while the longer overall rig length allows for anglers to down size hooks if preferred. Combined with the patented Sta-Stuk technology, they represent the most advanced hooksets ever offered in the Fathom lineup.
How to Fish Sta-Stuk Hooksets:
To maximize performance, we recommend anglers follow these proven rigging and fishing guidelines:
- Positioning: Rig the hook eye as far back in the lure skirt as IGFA rules allow. NOTE: IGFA now considers the “eye” of the hook to be as shown below. Please consult rules and regulations of each tournament to confirm legality.
- Outrigger Clips: Set clips to release at 12 lbs of pressure.
- Strike Drag: Begin with 20 lbs of drag at strike to drive the hook point and activate the Sta-Stuk separation system.
- Adjust During Fight: After hookup, drag can be adjusted higher or lower as needed.
These settings ensure the Sta-Stuk design functions as intended - driving the point deep on the bite, separating under proper load, and minimizing torque throughout the fight.
The Fathom Offshore Pro-Series Sta-Stuk Hooksets are available in sizes 9/0 through 11/0, ready for serious offshore anglers who want to increase hookups and land more marlin. Standard FUDO Kona cut hooksets are also available in 9/0 - 12/0.
Engineered. Assembled. Tested. Proven.