Gardner-Covert Dark Wide Gape Talon Tip 8 Micro Barb

The Covert Dark Wide Gape Talon Tip is the latest incarnation in a long line of ‘Talon Tip’ beaked point hooks; with the latest version being given the full Covert Dark upgrade starting with the all important beaked point itself.

We have changed the shape and length of the Wide Gape Talon Tip’s point; so it is now a lovely sweeping curve that’s longer, slimmer and much sharper than before. These new longer points are a major improvement that ensures the hook pricks even quicker and penetrates easier.

This latest Covert Dark version features the new stripped down Covert Dark plating. This matt finish still offers excellent camouflage but it also ensures that we keep the hook points absolutely pristine and razor sharp. Covert Dark is a super thin single electroplated layer; and the reduction in handling during the finishing process ensures that the points remain as sharp as the moment they were made.

Gardner has also upgraded all the patterns in the Covert Dark hook range changing form standard to a micro barb format. This change offers two major benefits. Firstly, many commercial fisheries require anglers to use patterns with small barbs as it is kinder to the fish’s mouth, and secondly micro barbed hooks are stronger as less wire is cut out to form the barb.

The combination of a 5° in-turned eye and the beaked point on the Wide Gape Talon Tip certainly creates extremely positive hook holds as the angle is set at the optimum angle of drawer to make sure the hook goes in and stays in. Essentially the way in which the hook penetrates, as it is pulled in by the directional force created by the hook eye, is simply perfect.

The major advantage of a beaked point relates to how the point first takes hold. When it starts to grip the angle of the point naturally helps keep the hook point in position, even if the fish is trying to shake the rig free (this is particularly useful if you’re angling on a barbless rules venue). Another benefit is that the point is less likely to be turned over or damaged when you Fishing over gravel or other rough types of lake bed, typically big stones that make up spoil bars on gravel pits.

Covert Dark Wide Gape Talon Tips are manufactured from the same ‘bomb proof’ super strong forged wire of the original Talon Tip patterns.