Choosing the right hook for the right job can make a world of difference.
• Curved shank sets and holds in the mouth of a summer flounder
• Popular for fluke fishing
• Used to drift strip baits and live minnows
• Bent-back eye for snelling
• Popular for snelling onto natural-bait rigs
• Sizes 10 to 6 are effective with live minnows and salmon eggs for trout
• Sizes 5/0 to 8/0 are used with live eels, cut bait, and clams for striped bass
• Narrow gap is easily inhaled by small-mouthed fish
• Longtime favorite of winter flounder fishermen
• Long shank can be threaded with seaworm or mussel
• Wide gap, short shank designed to allow live baits to swim freely
• Used for large fish, such as tuna and striped bass
• Smaller sizes are also effective for blackfish
• Straight eye allows for crimping or tying
• Long shank, large eye works well on artificial lures
• Used as a single hook on plugs and jigs
• Available with open eye for easy attachment to artificial lures
• Inward-facing point designed to catch in the corner of the jaw
• Most often used for large fish such as striped bass, tuna and black drum
• Reduces risk of deep-hooking fish
• Used with cut bait, live bait, clams, or worms
• Short point, large barb easily hooks and holds crab baits
• Once the standard hook for blackfish
• Has lost popularity as fishermen switch to octopus-style or live-bait hooks
The numbers that define hook sizes can be confusing. They are based on a nominal hook size of zero. Hook sizes with a number followed by a zero increase in size as the number goes up.
For instance, a 4/0 hook is one size up from a 3/0.
Hook sizes not followed by a zero decrease in size as the number increases.
For example, a size 3 hook is smaller than a size 2 hook.
While most hook manufacturers follow this basic numbering system, there is unfortunately little standardization in sizes. For instance, what may be a size 4/0 in an Eagle Claw hook may not necessarily be the same as a 4/0 in a VMC hook.
Save those little packets of desiccant that often come with pills and other products. They help prevent
rust in hook containers and tackle boxes.
THANKS, for good info. Harry
I appreciate the information. Does anyone know what size hook is best when replacing standard hooks that are on a lure when purchased? Long story short, hooked fish using a 6 inch Daiwa SP minnow, lost fish, and when looking at one of the treble hooks it was bent almost vertical. Basically, I want to upgrade my lures hardware with stronger split rings and stronger lures. I mostly fish large lures (plugs, poppers, mag darters, etc..) that weigh anywhere from 1 – 6 ounces.. Any opinions, or suggestions, would be greatly appreciated. Thank You,
Hey Pete, Here are four ways to rig the SP minnow, with some underwater footage of how they swim: http://www.onthewater.com/video/4-ways-to-rig-the-daiwa-sp-minnow