In the little world of fish hook collecting mechanical fish hooks are well known and highly sought out. Outside though, most have never seen or heard of them. They are fascinating bits of fishing history. Countless designs for these hooks have been made and patented over the years. Some are highly complex and almost machinelike. Others are very simple yet ingenious fish hooks. Outlawed now, they once were used by serious meat hunters. I have no idea how effective all were in practical terms but I can tell you that some of the ones I have and have seen are tricky just to set so I can imagine when all worked perfectly, they would keep a fish from breaking off.

I have very few of these devises and none of the high ticket ones so most of the hooks shown here will be from other collections and will be identified as such.

I am confident that even non collectors will find this section fascinating.

1. Lathrop Lever Hook, Tim Mierzwa

2. Sockdolager, Job Johnson Hook, Tim Mierzwa

3. Howell Texas Angler Hook

4. Hartshorn Hook 3 sizes, Tim Mierzwa

5. Guillotine Hook 4 sizes, Tim Mierzwa

6. Greer Lever Hook, Tim Mierzwa.

7. Gabriel Fish Trap, Tim Mierzwa

8. Eagle Claw mechanical hook, Thom Nefos

9. Adirondack hook 3 sizes, Tim Mierzwa

10. Old Glory Spring Hook, Jack Looney

11.

12. Marvel Automatic Fish Hook

13. 1871 Dunlap Hook, Tim Mierzwa

14. Surestrike Fish Hook, Thom Nefos

15. Lenhart Springhook, Thom Nefos

16. Job Johnson Torpedo Hook, Thom Nefos

17. Spread Eagle Fish Hook

18. Kayen-Vee Fish Hook

19. The Eckardt Minnow Life Preserving and Weedless Hook, Thom Nefos

20. Spider, Thom Nefos

21. Russell Hook, 6.0, Thom Nefos