VMC Hooks & Terminal Tackle Review

VMC is a French hook maker with a very long history. The Viellard family business at Morvillars, near the French-Swiss border, dates back to 1672, the VMC company (Viellard Migeon & Cie) was formed in the 1800s, and it began making fishing hooks in 1910. VMC hooks are still made in Morvillars, and the brand is now part of the Rapala VMC group. For deep droppers, VMC offers tournament-approved inline circle hooks, including the 8386 Tournament Circle 3X, plus a full range of stainless steel swivels, snaps and rings.

This review covers VMC’s saltwater circle hooks, its terminal tackle, and which pieces suit a deep drop rig.

VMC at a glance

Item	Details
Company	VMC, Morvillars, France; part of Rapala VMC
Deep drop hooks	8386 Tournament Circle 3X, 7385 Tournament Circle, 7381 SureSet Circle
Largest size	10/0 (8386)
Hook technology	Vanadium steel, Cone Cut point, chemically sharpened needle points
Terminal tackle	Stainless ball bearing tournament snap swivels, rolling swivels, split rings, Touch-Lok and Duolock snaps
Website	rapala.com

VMC circle hooks

VMC’s saltwater circles are forged from Vanadium steel. Their Cone Cut points are chemically sharpened by compressing the steel into a cone rather than grinding it, which VMC says keeps the point strong under the pressure of braided line. The two Tournament Circle models are non-offset, so they meet rules that require inline circle hooks.

Model	Wire / design	Sizes	Packs and price
8386 Tournament Circle 3X	3X strong, forged, non-offset; VMC calls it the strongest wire and widest gap of any tournament-approved circle	2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 6/0, 8/0, 10/0	25-packs, from $6.99
7385 Tournament Circle	1X strong, forged high-carbon steel, non-offset, extra-wide gap, micro barb	5/0–9/0	7- and 50-packs, from $6.99
7381 SureSet Circle	1X strong, forged, offset; black nickel / Coastal Black finish	1/0–5/0	8–12 per pack, about $5.49

Which one for deep dropping? The 8386 Tournament Circle 3X is the best fit: the heavy wire stands up to a long electric-reel retrieve, and sizes go up to 10/0. The 7385 is lighter wire and is marketed for live bait trolling for billfish, while the offset 7381 suits live bait on lighter rigs where offset hooks are allowed.

Terminal tackle

VMC makes a full range of stainless steel terminal tackle. The strength figures below are VMC’s own comparisons with competing products.

Product	Details
SS HD Ball Bearing Tournament Snap Swivel	Stainless with independent dual-rotating axes and welded rings; 5 sizes; for heavy baits and deep trolling
SS Tournament Snap Swivel	Stainless snaps, rings and bodies; 7 sizes; VMC says up to 55% stronger than conventional snap swivels
SS Rolling Swivel	Stainless; 10 sizes in packs of 5 or 10; up to 41% stronger per VMC
Split Rings	Stainless, black nickel, tapered ends; 8 sizes; up to 38% stronger per VMC
Touch-Lok Snap	Locking stainless snap; 5 sizes; up to 43% stronger per VMC
Duolock Snap	Stainless, opens in two positions; 7 sizes
Ball Bearing Swivel with Split Rings	One-piece brass “ROBO” body with dual rotation

Latest updates 2025–2026

• The 8386 Tournament Circle 3X and 7385 Tournament Circle remain VMC’s main tournament circle hooks; some sizes were out of stock at dealers in October 2026.
• We found no new VMC deep drop hook announced for 2025–2026.

Key features

• Tournament-approved inline circles: the 8386 and 7385 are non-offset.
• 3X strong option: the 8386 handles heavy deep drop rigs.
• Cone Cut points: chemically sharpened and made to hold up under braid pressure.
• Complete stainless hardware: ball bearing snap swivels, rolling swivels, rings and snaps from one brand.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
3X strong inline circle up to 10/0	The 8386 skips some sizes (no 5/0, 7/0 or 9/0)
Hooks still made in Morvillars, France	Some sizes go out of stock
Bulk 25- and 50-packs for boats that rig a lot	Strength claims are comparisons, not pound ratings
Full stainless terminal tackle range	The 7381 SureSet is offset, which some rules don’t allow

Who it’s for

Angler	Best VMC product	Suggested size
Deep drop for grouper and tilefish	8386 Tournament Circle 3X	6/0–8/0
Heavy deep drop and swordfish	8386 Tournament Circle 3X	10/0
Live bait for billfish	7385 Tournament Circle	6/0–9/0
Rig and leader connections	SS HD Ball Bearing Tournament Snap Swivel	Match to leader strength

Where to buy

VMC is sold through Rapala VMC dealers and online at Rapala’s store, and at offshore shops including CHAOS Fishing, Mud Hole and Discount Tackle, which stock the 50-pack Tournament Circles.

Verdict

VMC’s 8386 Tournament Circle 3X is a strong, tournament-legal circle hook for deep drop rigs, and the 50-pack Tournament Circles are good value for boats that rig a lot of baits. With VMC’s stainless swivels and snaps you can build the whole rig from one brand.

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Specs and prices are compiled from manufacturer and dealer listings in October 2026 and can change. Check current fishing regulations before choosing hooks. Spotted an error? Contact us.