| There are essential items to have when going | | | | The range of hook sizes from smallest to largest |
| fishing, but none more important than having a | | | | are 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 11, |
| hook. Fishing hooks come in a wide range of sizes | | | | 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, |
| and also come in a variety of types. The average | | | | 8/0, 9/0, 10/0, 11/0, 12/0, 13/0, 14/0, 15/0, 16/0, |
| angler may be a bit perplexed when it comes to | | | | 17/0, 18/0, and 19/0. |
| selecting the appropriate hook for their fishing trip, | | | | Recommendations for hooks sizes, based upon |
| but fortunately selecting a hook is a not a science. | | | | what you are fishing for would be 18 to 8 for |
| Here are some important things to consider when | | | | Trout, 12 to 8 for Bluegill, 10 to 8 for Suckers, 8 |
| selecting a hook for your next fishing trip. | | | | to 4 for Crappie, 4 for Yellow Perch, 4 to 1 for |
| The size hook you use will be dictated by the | | | | Carp, 6 to 1 for Bullheads, 4 to 1/0 for Channel |
| type of fish you are angling for. Things like the | | | | Catfish, 4 to 1 for Smallmouth Bass, 4 to 3/0 for |
| type of bait you are using, fishing line size, and | | | | Largemouth Bass, 2/0 to 5/0 for Walleye, 2/0 to |
| even the terrain you are fishing in can require | | | | 7/0 for Northern Pike, and 6/0 to 8/0 for |
| different types of hooks and sizes. The smaller | | | | Muskellunge. |
| the fish you are fishing for, then the smaller the | | | | Having the best fishing rod and reel will not help |
| hook that is used. You want the fish to be able to | | | | you if you are using a hook that is to big or to |
| take the bait without having to struggle for it. | | | | small. Keep a good supply of hooks with you, so |
| There are barbed hooks and barbless hooks. The | | | | that you may change up if you feel like switching |
| barbless hook is used when fishing "catch and | | | | what you are fishing for. Also you may find the |
| release". This way the barb does not further | | | | size fish being caught are different than what you |
| damage the fish. Weedless hooks would be used | | | | expected. Keep in mind too that certain fish |
| when fishing in grassy areas. Long shank hooks | | | | species have larger mouths than other fish the |
| are used for certain types of bait. | | | | same size. |
| What can be a struggle for the beginning | | | | What it all boils down to is that having an |
| fishermen are the numbers that are used to | | | | understanding of hooks can help you be prepared |
| indicate the hook size. A number 32 is the | | | | for what ever fishing you will be doing. A basic |
| smallest size, while a number 19/0 is the largest. | | | | understanding of hook sizes cannot only lessen |
| What happens when a hook size grows larger | | | | your frustration, but can help you increase your |
| past number 1, then a zero or "aught" is added. | | | | catch. |
| Thus a 4/0 would be pronounced "four aught". | | | | |