In my humble opinion, very very humble, seasoned with years and years of experience with Steelhead I must say that you are "overhooked". I feel there is no need for a thick hook if you aren't also matching it with an equivalently rated line. If you're using only 6 lb line (braid excluded) then almost any standard hook should do as the line will break long before any standard hook would bend open. Tell me I'm wrong......
By the way I used to Bluefish and used 25 lb test on thick octopus circle hooks in size 6. I sometimes used the improved clinch but not always.
I love the Palomar for big lures.
Grem, let the testing begin!
(drum role please.)