A new fishing hook, the Lazer TroKar, has changed the way professional bass angler Shaw Grigsby fishes.

Made by the folks who manufacture Eagle Claw hooks, but without the Eagle Claw brand, the TroKar initially will be available only for freshwater fishing.

However, Grigsby says, "Jimmy White could use the 8/0 hook on some of those 40-pounders he's catching on soft plastic baits."

Grigsby is referring to Jim White, the Rhode Island charter boat skipper and author of two books on catching big bass in shallow water on tight tackle. White specializes in fishing with large versions of some of the same lures that Grigsby and other professional bass anglers use in freshwater. "He's the king of soft plastics," says Grigsby.

What makes the new hook so unusual?

The point of a Lazer TroKar is triangular.

TroKar engineers worked with companies that specialize in making suture needles, according to John Jillings, a representative of the hook maker.

They developed Surgicly Sharpened Technology, a patented grinding method for high-carbon steel hooks that delivers an exceptionally sharp hook that is finished chemically, said Jillings.

The company also developed a tempering method that allows it to use an unusually pure steel, said Grisby. "It makes a tougher, stronger hook without as much flex," he said. "It gets better penetration."

Grigsby and a panel of professional fishermen developed hooks for flipping, Texes rigging, and other styles of fishing. They also asked engineers to develop a heavy-wire model to handle big fish in trophy waters.

That’s the model Grigsby recommends for striped bass. The 8/0 hook can handle a large soft-plastic lure, like a Slug-Go, and the hook can stand up to a big striper, he says.

There's one problem.

"You can’t practice fish with them," Grigsby says.

Before a tournament, competitors like to scope the lake they're going to fish in competition.

“As professional anglers, we want to locate fish, but we don’t want to catch many of them in practice. [Otherwise, the fish might become wary.] We try to shake them off the hook, but when you try to shake them off these hooks, you pull a little and it sticks 'em. That's why they’re using surgical technology, because that point is the easiest for penetration. It's lights out above anything else that’s out there."

Hill's big blue wins

Massachusetts angler Steve Hill, fishing aboard Reel Deep, caught a 376-pound blue shark to win the Snug Harbor Marina 28th annual shark fishing tournament last weekend.

Seventy-five boats from five states competed, said Elisa Conti, the marina’s tackle store manager.

Brian Bacon of South Kingstown, fishing aboard Big Game, caught a 345-pound blue for second place.

In the thresher division, Kyle Cooney of Plainville, Conn., landed a 268-pounder aboard KEP II for first place, and Thomas Lai of Hollis, Mass., caught a 217-pounder aboard Bilda to win second place.

Steve Charron of Harrisville landed a 203-pound mako aboard Finatix to win his division.

Knot Reel Teeth won the tagging division with 18 tagged and released sharks. Ryan and Chris Napolitano of North Scituate each tagged eight sharks to tie for the individual tagging prize.

Old boats shine

Both power and sailboats will participate in the 34th annual Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous at Mystic Seaport, July 25-26.

The event showcases restored antique vessels built before 1965 including cruisers, sailboats, runabouts and launches. Boats will be displayed at Mystic Seaport on July 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and July 26 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. An award competition will recognize excellence in restoration, authenticity and workmanship.

July 26, at 12:45 p.m., the vessels will depart the museum and embark on a three-mile parade down the historic Mystic River. Each boat is announced on the shore as it passes through Mystic's famous Bascule Bridge on to Noank. Townspeople and tourists line the parade route to catch a glimpse of the boats and their costumed crews.

Sabino, the museum’s 101-year-old steamboat, will lead the parade, followed soon after by Little Vigilant, this year’s featured vessel. Designed by Walter McGinnis and built by Abeking and Rasmussen in 1950, the 70’ Little Vigilant was based on a larger vessel, Vigilant, a 100-foot sardine carrier-style boat built in the 1930s.

The museum is a mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-17. Children 5 and under are free.

tmeade@projo.com