| Many fisherman give much thought to the type | | | | Barb: |
| and size of a hook being used for a particular | | | | The barb can be defined as the projection |
| type of fishing but few have bothered to learn | | | | extending backwards from the point that secures |
| the basic terminology of a hook’s parts. In | | | | your catch from unhooking during the fight. The |
| this discussion I will give an overview of the basic | | | | angle and elevation of a particular barb affects |
| terms and save in-depth descriptions of | | | | the hooks performance. Many anglers opt to use |
| specialized hooks and their uses for another | | | | barbless hooks. This can be for a more sporting |
| article. | | | | angling experience or in many cases, when |
| First, a few words concerning hook size | | | | mandated by law for catch and release and |
| designations. Unfortunately, there is no uniform | | | | conservation initiatives. Check your local |
| system of hook measurements currently in place | | | | regulations concerning hook barbs for particular |
| and considering it is a tool dating back to the | | | | species and bodies of water. |
| stone-age, I highly doubt one will be implemented | | | | Shank: |
| soon. Although attempts have been made to set | | | | The shank is the leg of a hook extending from |
| a standard by measuring the hook in fractions of | | | | the bend up to the eye. Hook shanks are |
| an inch, the system has never been successful. | | | | manufactured in many different shapes. The most |
| Visual familiarity and experience with the various | | | | commonly used are straight shank, curved shank, |
| hooks and makers is the only viable method for | | | | and sliced shank. Specialized hooks, such as those |
| the serious angler to gauge hook size. Hook sizes | | | | designed for jigs and soft plastic baits for bass, |
| are basically arranged numerically with a #32 being | | | | have shanks with various bends and angles. Again, |
| the smallest fly hook ranging to a mammoth 20/0 | | | | look for details in the upcoming specialized hook |
| hook reserved for the largest of ocean fish. As | | | | series. |
| sizes increase from a #32, the numbers decrease | | | | Eye: |
| until reaching size 1 hooks. Thus a #2 hook is | | | | The Eye of a fishing hook is the ring, hole, or loop |
| larger than a #8. This pattern holds true until | | | | at the end of the shank through which the line or |
| reaching a #1 hook. After a #1 size hook, | | | | leader is attached. There are some variations in |
| manufacturers then designate the ascending size | | | | eye types including; open eye for aftermarket |
| with a “/0” designation. A 1/0 hook is | | | | attachment to lures and ringed eye for tying |
| larger than a #1 hook. An 8/0 is larger than a 6 | | | | heavy leader to smaller hooks when typically bait |
| 0, etc. This method increases numerically until | | | | fishing. Eye position is another relevant variation |
| reaching the big 19/0 and 20/0 hooks. | | | | between different types of hooks. A turned |
| Remember, a #4 is larger than a #10 yet a 4/0 | | | | down eye (like the example in the attached |
| is smaller than a 10/0. It is not as confusing as it | | | | image) is turned down from the shank. A turned |
| sounds and most anglers are familiar with this | | | | up eye is the opposite with the eye turned up |
| quirky sizing system. However, as stated above, | | | | and away from the shank. An in-line or parallel |
| there is some variance between hook makers. | | | | eye is just as it sounds with the eye being in-line |
| For example: a 4/0 Owner SSW hook is slightly | | | | with the shank. |
| smaller than its identically numbered Gamakatsu | | | | Bend: |
| brother. Again, experience with the products is | | | | The bend of a hook is the curved portion of the |
| the only way to have a firm grasp on precise | | | | hook that connects the hook shaft to the point. |
| sizing. I tend to fish Owner hooks and have | | | | Although the hook bend is curved, the hook point |
| become quite familiar with the sizes that are right | | | | and shaft are generally straight portions of metal |
| for a particular application. | | | | that run parallel to one another. |
| Now that I’ve touched on the vagaries of | | | | Gap or Gape: |
| sizing, lets go over the various parts and related | | | | This is the distance between the point and the |
| terms of a typical fishing hook. | | | | shank and is known as the gap or gape. The gap |
| Point: | | | | of a hook is the vertical distance between the |
| The point is the sharpened end of a hook that is | | | | shank and point of the hook. The size of a |
| designed to penetrate a fish’s mouth. Basic | | | | particular hook is generally determined in |
| design parameters dictate that the point | | | | accordance with the size of the hook's gap. |
| penetrate with the least amount of pressure and | | | | Throat or Bite: |
| maintain a sharp and durable point for as long as | | | | The distance from the apex of the bend to its |
| possible. There are many different types of | | | | intersection with the gape. |
| points and sharpening techniques used in modern | | | | In conclusion: I hope this helps with understanding |
| fishing hooks. The different point types can aid in | | | | the basics of hook terminology. Though not a |
| species and technique specific fishing and will be | | | | substitute for time on the water and trial and |
| addressed in my more detailed series pertaining to | | | | error, knowing a hook’s basic parts and |
| specialized hooks. We are looking for the perfect | | | | proper names will aid in choosing which hook is |
| balance of sharpness and durability. | | | | right for you given a particular type of fishing. |