The role of a fishing hook is very critical and valuable in determining your success in fish catching. Fishing hooks can catch a wide range of fish by deploying different baits.
Fishing enthusiasts are well aware of numerous fishing hooks with different shapes, styles, sizes, types, and colors. There are also specialized hooks that target certain fish.
Sometimes we overlook the fact that hook type and size are vital to make our fishing trip successful. The knowledge of fishing hooks will go a long way in making you a successful angler.
Here we will cover some of the critical facts about fishing hooks to help you plan your next fishing adventure.
Parts Of A Fishing Hook
Before we go into details of the best hooks for fishing, we need to know their basic structure and size.
The Point
It comes in different shapes varying from round to diamond. It is the sharp bit where the fish makes its contact, and the point pierces its mouth.
The Eye
It is the ring that joins the hook to the line. It has two versions- oval and round shape.
Shank
It starts from the hook and connects the bend to the eye. It can be long or short based on the size of the bait you want to use.
The Gap
The distance between the shank and the hook point is known as the gap. It differs according to hook size. The curved hooks have a wider gap than the straight shank. The wide gap helps your bait to move, and this movement of bait attracts the fish.
Bend
It is the rounded and most visible part of the fishing hook. Here the shank bends up to 180 degrees or more round in cases of circle hooks.
Barb
This part keeps the fish on the hook by penetrating the flesh of the fish. In the case of barbs, bigger is not better. Big barbs can make a large tear in soft-mouthed fishes. They can also make it difficult to hook tough-mouthed fishes.
Hook Sizes
Smaller hooks are easy to set, go undetected, are less affected by current, and can cast farther. They are used to catch both small and large fish.
The largest numbers are allotted to the smallest hook sizes, like 32, 30, 25, etc. The largest hooks either have a designation with a 0 or progressive sizes of 0, for example, 6/0,18/0, etc. The smallest size is 32, and the largest hook size is 20/0.
The hook size may vary according to the brand, as the manufacturers have their hook sizes. They also vary in thickness. The thickness may change according to the thin wire, fine wire, heavy wire, extra heavy, 2Xheavy, and so on.
What Are The Best Types of Fishing Hooks?
Before you plan your next fishing trip, you need to learn about different types of fishing hooks to make sure you don’t return empty-handed.
Baitholder Hooks
It is not easy to keep wiggling and slippery live bait on a hook for long, and a baitholder hook ensures to keep it that way. This fishing hook has long shafts with barbs on them to keep the bait hooked. These hooks are available in a wide range of sizes from smaller 2 to large 6/0.
Worm Hooks
Worm fishing hooks are mainly used by bass fishermen. These hooks are strong for deep penetration and durability to resist the fight put on by bass. They have a wide gap, so you choose different sizes of worms as per your preferences.
We can easily use it in heavy vegetation, as the hook’s point gets buried in the worm and stops it from getting off. Worm hook size varies from 2/0 to 5/0.
Double Hooks
This hook ensures that the fish does not spit out the lure. They are ideal to use thick-bodied soft plastic bait like floating frogs.
Treble Hooks
If you plan to catch your fish to release later on, then these hooks are not for you. The three edges of this fishing hook join together to form an eye that can tear a fish’s mouth. These hooks are prohibited in some areas.
J Hooks
Just like their name J hooks have a J shape and are the best hooks when you are trolling live bait behind a moving boat. They are also popularly used by recreational anglers.
J Hooks are ideal for catching fish like striped bass and panfish. These fishes take bait slowly and do not move off as soon as they eat.
If the fishing hook does not match the size of the fish, it either gets swallowed or lodged deeply, killing the fish.
Circle Hooks
If you plan to do fishing with live or dead bait for large species like pike, muskie, or catfish, this hook is the best choice. Circle hook has a lower mortality rate, and some states recommend this hook while fishing certain species like reef-dwelling fish.
When you get fish on a circle hook, you need to lift the tip of the rod and start reeling. The hook rotates in the mouth of the fish and settles in the corner of the jaw to form a lip.
Octopus Hooks
These hooks come in different colors, either painted or metallic. They have a round shank and bend. If you plan for rigging cut bait for salmon or catfish, minnows for bass, walleyes, and pike, then choose Octopus Hook.
Weedless Hooks
Weedless Hook allows you to fish in lily pads, weeds, rocks, and stumps. It has a light wire, wrapped in the sink. When a fish strikes the bait, the hook point is exposed by compressing the wire.
These hooks make fishing easier in covered areas and let you enjoy your fishing spree.
Aberdeen Hooks
The light wire of these hooks do minimal damage to the fish’s mouth and hence, makes them a perfect choice for catch and release. The thin wire also keeps the bait alive without damaging it much.
Siwash Hooks
These hooks have straight eyes and are often used for single hook bait. These hooks work best if you plan to catch a strong, thrashing, or jumping fish, like salmon.
Jig Hooks
These hooks are made of lead or other heavy metals and have different shapes for special applications.
Jig hooks use live baits, like minnows, crawlers, or soft plastics for fishing bass or crappie.
King Kahle Hooks
These hooks are large enough to hold live bait or pieces of fish (cut bait). These are the best hooks for catching catfish as they are strong and unique in design.
Artificial Tackle Lure Bait
This fishing hook rotates 360 degrees to attract the fish by using artificial lure bait on the large size. It can withhold tension as it is made of a high-density treble hook and can be used in seawater and freshwater.
Tips For Using Hooks
If you want to use live bait, you need to consider which fishing hook can keep your bait alive and hooked for a longer time. Moreover, to lure fish, your bait should look like a natural presentation.
Look For Quality Hooks
Choose a hook that is made of good quality material and has a rust-resistant pointed tip. It will reduce the need for frequent sharpening.
Your fishing hook should be strong yet flexible. It should be strong enough to resist the efforts of violent fish and flexible enough to prevent tearing out the fish’s mouth.
Prices may vary from $1 per dozen to $1 each. Choose the one according to your requirement and budget.
Hook Care
Rust is the biggest foe of your fishing hook. Check your hook regularly with the help of magnifying glass for signs of wear, fractures, or corrosion.
Sandpaper pieces or a sharpening stone help you to sharpen the dull point. Use a fish hook holder with separate compartments to store them properly for a longer life span.
Conclusion
The choice of fishing hook depends on many factors that are never constant. If you plan to catch small fish, a small hook will suffice. It also depends on fish species, type of bait, line size, and fishing structure.
After reading this article, you can easily choose the fishing hook you need to tackle your fish. Wishing you happy fishing!