Hook sizes, what do you use and why

[mithrandir]

Well here is a silly question.

What hook sizes do you use and why.

I have always heard it said, it takes a big hook and a big bait to catch a big fish.

But....

surely a big fish can be taken on a small hook, where as a small fish cannot be taken on too big a hook or bait.

So...

What decides your choice of hook size or bait size?


I have watched carp anglers chucking in big boilies and hooks using the line " it will take a big fish to take that bait " and spending a boring weekend waiting for a bite whilst everyone else is seeing some sort of fish action on simple small baits.

When I sea fish, I tend to favour 1 to 1/0 hooks and rag type baits, I have never been very good at the big sea fish but do tend not to blank ( now there is a kiss of death for my next 3 trips!!!!).

I am just a bit curious whether it is the species you are going for, the opportunist type "catch what is there", or just a pleasure trip scratching around to catch something.

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by mithrandir

Well here is a silly question.

What hook sizes do you use and why.

I have always heard it said, it takes a big hook and a big bait to catch a big fish.

But....

surely a big fish can be taken on a small hook, where as a small fish cannot be taken on too big a hook or bait.

So...

What decides your choice of hook size or bait size?


I have watched carp anglers chucking in big boilies and hooks using the line " it will take a big fish to take that bait " and spending a boring weekend waiting for a bite whilst everyone else is seeing some sort of fish action on simple small baits.

When I sea fish, I tend to favour 1 to 1/0 hooks and rag type baits, I have never been very good at the big sea fish but do tend not to blank ( now there is a kiss of death for my next 3 trips!!!!).

I am just a bit curious whether it is the species you are going for, the opportunist type "catch what is there", or just a pleasure trip scratching around to catch something.

I did a thread explaining the basic principles of hook size in relation to bait but generally the rule to follow is ..if your match angling or scratching for tiny fish use small hooks and bait to MATCH the hook size ( only rule is not to mask the point ) ..If you are targeting a specific species using a specific bait ie Cod on a crab/lug cocktail then large gape hooks around 3/0 in a pennel formation will secure a nice half crab and 3 or 4 nice lug leaving the hook points well exposed..
For general "chuck it and see" fishing then a hook size as you suggest of around a 1/0 and a bait of worm and tip of squid or mackerel will see you pick up most species ..
As you saw on the boat , the bait and hook size were correct for the whiting we were catching but you can't force the bigger specimens to take the bait, its just where the luck comes in although at certain times and venues it's said that chunks of fresh mackerel will sort out the bigger fish its again a bit of a lottery....
Steve

[BaggieRich]

As Steve says, I normally decide on hook size based on what I'm fishing for. If I'm sole fishing then small hooks around a size 4 are the order of the day. Whiting in the winter and I'll step it up to a 1 or 1/0. Bass fishing and 3/0 main hook with a 2/0 pennel.

[TURBOTAKER]

I caught a 6lb+ bass last year on half a tiny sandeel on a 1/0 hook LOL

[Davey]

I have a full set of hooks but as a rule, as already said, it depends what i'm after.
Size 4 for Sole and Bream.
size 1 for scratching.
Bass anything from 2/0 upto 6/0 depending on bait.
Size 4/0 for rays
8/0 for conger.

I did year before last have a 8lb smut on size 4 whilst sole fishing.
That was a fight and a half .