Savage Gear Weedless BLN

1. What is the Savage Gear Weedless BLN Hook?

The Savage Gear Weedless BLN is a special type of fishing hook made for soft plastic lures. “BLN” stands for “Bait Locking Nose” because it has a corkscrew that screws into the bait and stops it from sliding down. This hook is designed so that the point tucks back into the soft bait – that’s what “weedless” means. When you cast near weeds, rocks or tree branches, the hook stays hidden inside the plastic, so it doesn’t snag.

I’ve used these hooks for three seasons now, mostly for pike and big perch. The first time I tried a standard weedless hook, I lost a huge pike because the bait twisted. The Savage Gear BLN solved that with its centre?pin corkscrew. The bait stays dead straight, even after twenty casts into heavy cover. If you fish weedy waters like the Norfolk Broads or Irish loughs, this hook will save you a lot of tackle.

You can buy these hooks in packs of six, usually size 6/0. They come in two types: standard (no extra weight) and belly weighted (3g). The weighted version has a small lead ball on the bend to help the hook sink faster and cast further. Both are made from forged carbon steel, which is very hard and doesn’t bend when a big fish fights.

2. Technical Features and Build Quality

Let’s look at what makes this hook special. The table below shows the most important specs.

2.1 Forged Carbon Steel & Needle Point

Forged carbon steel is much tougher than standard hook wire. Many cheap hooks bend open when a big fish shakes its head. I once landed a 86cm pike on a BLN, and the hook looked brand new afterwards. The needle point is ground so sharp that it barely needs pressure to stick. Even when you bury the point under the plastic skin (for weedless fishing), a firm strike will push it through cleanly.

2.2 Centerpin Corkscrew and Large Eye

The corkscrew is the star of the show. It’s made of stainless steel, so saltwater won’t rust it. You simply twist it into the nose of your soft plastic until the plastic touches the hook eye. The large eye is another smart touch – it fits heavy leader knots (like a uni?knot or figure?eight loop) and also works with quick?change snap clips. If you swap lures often on the boat, that large eye saves a lot of time.

3. Standard vs Belly Weighted – Which One?

The standard BLN has no added weight. The belly weighted version has a 3 gram lead cylinder moulded onto the hook shank’s belly. Which one should you pick? That depends on where and how you fish.

3.1 Benefits of the Standard BLN

• Slower, more natural fall – shad and paddle tails swim with a lazy glide.
• Better for shallow weedy bays (less than 2m deep).
• Stays higher in the water column – perfect when fish are chasing fry near the surface.

3.2 Benefits of the 3g Belly Weighted BLN

• Longer casts because of the extra weight – helpful on windy days.
• Gets down quickly to reach pike or bass holding near the bottom.
• The belly weight keeps the lure balanced, reducing spin on the retrieve.

Expert advice: Start with the standard version. If you feel you’re not reaching the fish or the wind is pushing your lure sideways, switch to the belly weighted. I carry both in my pike fishing tackle box.

4. How to Rig the Savage Gear Weedless BLN

Rigging this hook correctly is easy. If you do it wrong, the bait will spin or the hook won’t poke out when a fish bites. Follow these steps exactly.

4.1 Simple Step?by?Step Rigging

1. Line up the lure – Hold the soft bait next to the hook shank. The hook point should exit about ? of the way from the lure’s head.
2. Screw in the corkscrew – Twist the stainless steel pin into the nose of the bait until it’s snug against the hook eye.
3. Push the hook point through – Insert the point where you marked, then guide it out through the back (or belly) of the bait.
4. Skin?hook the point – Bring the point back so it just pokes through the plastic skin, or bury it completely for max weedlessness.

For a video?like walkthrough, check our bass fishing in the UK guide – it shows similar rigging techniques.

4.2 Expert Rigging Check

After every few casts, look at your lure. Has it twisted on the corkscrew? Does the hook point still sit straight? A twisted bait will spin and scare fish. I click my reel into free?spool and let the lure hang – if it spins like a propeller, re?rig it. Also, never force the hook point through a thick rubber part; instead, make a small pilot hole with a bait needle.

5. Best Soft Baits for the 6/0 BLN Hook

The #6/0 Savage Gear BLN works best with medium?large soft plastics roughly 12–15cm long. Too small and the hook overpowers the action; too big and the hook gap isn’t wide enough to clear the bait’s body.

5.1 Savage Gear Gravity Stick 120

The Gravity Stick 120 is the intended match – retailers often show them paired together. The 12cm length sits perfectly on the 6/0 hook. The bait’s slim profile lets the hook point hide easily inside the back, and the corkscrew locks into the dense nose plastic. I’ve caught dozens of pike on this combo, especially when slow?rolling it along weed edges.

5.2 Slender Scoop Shads and Others

Other great matches include:

• Slender Scoop Shad 13cm or 15cm – the wide tail gives fantastic vibration.
• Eel?style baits (like Keitech Crazy Flapper) – the hook stays hidden along the thin body.
• Paddle tail shads from brands like Westin or Fox Rage, as long as they are slim.

Always check that the bait’s body isn’t too thick. If you see a big hump where the hook shank sits, switch to a lighter wire hook or a larger size. For similar hook options, browse our sea fishing hooks section.

6. Expert Advice and Common Mistakes

After years of fishing weedless hooks, I’ve learned a few things that save you lost lures and missed bites.

6.1 Mistakes to Avoid

• Burying the hook point too deep – If you push it more than 2mm into the plastic, you’ll need a very hard strike to expose it. Leave the point just under the skin.
• Using a soft bait that’s too short – The hook gape (the space between point and shank) should never be wider than the bait’s body height.
• Forgetting to check alignment – After a big pike shakes, the lure can slide. Re?adjust every 10?15 casts.

6.2 Pro Tips from a Predator Angler

When you feel a tap or a heavy pull, do not strike immediately. Instead, lower the rod tip, reel up the slack, then sweep the rod sideways. This gives the fish time to turn the bait and get the hook point into the corner of its mouth. Also, store your BLN hooks in a dry box – even though the steel is forged, moisture can dull the needle point over time. Finally, pair these hooks with a good braided line. I recommend 30lb braid for pike, and 15lb for big bass. For rod advice, read our guide on how to select the perfect sea bass spinning rod.

Whether you need standard or weighted, the Savage Gear Weedless BLN is a game changer for fishing heavy cover. You can find the full range in our Savage Gear tackle collection. For other predator gear, check out our pike hooks or boat hooks pages.

? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use the Savage Gear Weedless BLN for saltwater fishing?

Yes. The forged carbon steel is treated to resist corrosion, and the corkscrew is stainless steel. Rinse the hook with fresh water after each sea session to keep it shiny. Many anglers use it for bass and pollock around the UK coast.

What size soft bait fits a 6/0 BLN hook?

Look for soft plastics between 12cm and 15cm (4.7?6 inches). The Gravity Stick 120 (12cm) is perfect. If you use a 10cm bait, the 6/0 hook will often bend the bait and ruin the action – then you need a smaller 4/0 or 5/0 hook.

How do I get the hook out of a fish if it’s buried weedless?

Because of the micro barb, it’s easier than many other hooks. Use a long?nose plier, push the hook further in slightly to expose the barb, then back it out. Or use a hook extractor tool. Always carry forceps when fishing weedless hooks.

Does the belly weighted version make noise?

No. The 3g weight is fixed inside a soft lead sleeve. It doesn’t rattle. If you want sound, you can add a glass rattle inside a hollow bait, but the BLN itself is silent.

Can I use these hooks for zander or perch?

Absolutely. For big perch (40cm+), the 6/0 might be a little large. Try the 4/0 or 5/0 Savage Gear BLN. For zander, the 6/0 is a good match with a 13cm shad – check our boat fishing tackle essentials for perch and zander rigs.

???? Need more help? Visit our Northeast Tackle homepage for live chat or call our shop. Tight lines!