Korda Krank Hooks

In the world of hook design, few patterns have made as much of an impact as the Korda Krank. At Gerry’s Fishing, we’ve seen plenty of “innovative” shapes come and go, but the Krank—the brainchild of Korda’s Tom Dove—is a genuine game-changer. It was born from a desire to merge the aggressive, fast-turning properties of the Kurv Shank with the massive “purchase” and hooking power of a Wide Gape.

The result is a hook that is so effective it actually performs best when kept simple. You don’t need complex kickers or shrink tube to make this hook work; its unique offset point and sweeping shank do all the heavy lifting for you. Whether you’re targeting pressured UK carp or monster continental fish, the Krank is designed to not only hook more fish but to ensure they stay hooked all the way to the net.

Key Features & Performance

• Enormous Gape: The wide distance between the shank and the point ensures the hook can take a massive “bite” of the fish’s mouth, providing incredibly secure hook-holds.

• Offset Point: The point is slightly twisted (offset) from the plane of the shank. This means the moment a fish tries to eject the bait, the point is “proud” and ready to prick instantly.

   

• Beaked Point: The point curves slightly back towards the eye. This protects the sharpness when fishing over gravel and ensures that once the hook is in, it stays in deep.

   

• Aggressive Sweeping Shank: Inspired by the Kurv Shank, this profile causes the hook to flip and turn the moment the hooklink tightens, without the need for additional rig tubing.

   

• Micro-Barb & Barbless Options: Available with a tiny micro-barb for ultimate security or in a totally barbless (Krank B) version for venues with strict rules.

   

Technical Specifications

Examples of Where to Use

• The “Muzza” Rig: This is Tom Dove’s go-to setup. It’s a simple wafter presentation where the hook is tied with a knotless knot. The Krank’s shape ensures the wafter sits perfectly over the eye, creating a balanced, high-performance rig that is incredibly hard to eject.

   

• The KD Rig: The Krank is arguably the best hook for the KD rig. Because of its wide gape and offset point, it allows the hair to exit the shank at a steep angle, making the hook extremely “nose-heavy” and prone to flipping into the bottom lip.

• The Spinner / Ronnie Rig: In Size 4, the Krank is a fantastic alternative for the Spinner Rig. The curved shank works perfectly with the swivel, providing a free-rotating setup that resets itself if the fish manages to blow it out.

   

• Simple Knotless Knot: If you’re just starting out or prefer “back-to-basics” angling, the Krank is perfect. Use it with a supple braid or a coated braid like N-Trap, and let the hook’s geometry do the work.

Gerry’s Pro Tip

Don’t Overcomplicate It:

The beauty of the Krank is its built-in mechanics. Many anglers make the mistake of adding long kickers or large amounts of shrink tube to this hook. Because the shank is already so curved and the eye is in-turned, adding extra tubing can actually “close” the gape and reduce your hooking efficiency. Use a simple knotless knot, ensure the hair exits between the point and the barb, and let the Krank’s aggressive shape do what it was designed to do!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the point offset?

The offset point is a massive mechanical advantage. On a standard “flat” hook, a fish can occasionally blow the bait out without the point catching. Because the Krank point is twisted to one side, it is always “looking” for a hold, significantly increasing the chances of the hook pricking the fish instantly.

Can I use the Krank for pop-ups?

Yes, but it is primarily optimized for bottom baits and wafters. For dedicated pop-up rigs like the Chod or Hinged Stiff Rig, we generally recommend the Korda Choddy hook, which has an out-turned eye better suited for stiff materials. However, for a “Spinner Rig” pop-up presentation, the Krank is excellent.

Which size should I choose?

• Size 4: Ideal for large 18mm+ boilies and targeting big fish or fishing in snags.

   

• Size 6: The perfect all-rounder for 15mm baits and wafters.

• Size 8/10: Great for finesse fishing, small particles, or “match-the-hatch” 10mm-12mm boilies.

Is there a heavy-duty version?

Yes, for extreme conditions or targeting monster catfish and carp abroad, Korda also produces the Krank X, which features a much thicker wire gauge for ultimate strength.