Best Fishing Hook Sizes For 36 Freshwater Game Fish
When it comes to freshwater fishing, selecting the right hook size is critical to success. Choosing the wrong hook size can result in missed catches, lost bait, and even harm to the fish.
In this article, we’ll look at freshwater fishing hook sizes and what you need to know to choose the right hook for your fishing needs. We’ll cover the different types of hooks, what the sizes mean, and which hooks are best for different types of fish.
Whether a beginner or an experienced angler, understanding hook sizes is essential for a successful day on the water.
Understanding Fishing Hook Sizes
Hook sizes are an important consideration when selecting hooks for freshwater fishing, as they determine the size of fish the hook can catch.
Hook sizes are represented by numbers and fractions, with smaller numbers without a fraction indicating larger hooks. Fractions are pronounced as “aught” and are represented by the symbol /0.
- Hook sizes are represented by numbers and fractions.
- Smaller numbers without a fraction represent larger hooks.
- Smaller numbers with a faction are smaller hooks.
- Fractions are pronounced as “aught” and represented by /0.
- Hook sizes are not exact but roughly equivalent.
- A 6/0 hook size is larger than a 1/0 hook size and is suitable for catching larger fish such as striped bass, tuna, or marlin.
- When selecting a hook size, consider the type of fish you’re targeting and the bait size you’ll use.
Examples:
- A size 1 hook is larger than a size 4 hook.
- A 6/0 hook is larger than a 1/0 hook.
- A fraction of 2/0 is pronounced “two aught” and represents a larger hook than a fraction of 1/0.
Freshwater Fishing Hooks Types
Examples of common hooks and their uses:
- Worm hooks: Sizes 0/4-10, are designed for live worms or soft plastic baits, featuring a longer shank and curved hook point for better hook sets.
- Bait holder hooks: Sizes 0/1-2, used for live bait such as worms or minnows.
- Circle hooks: Sizes 0/5-11, used for catch-and-release fishing and to prevent gut hooking
- Aberdeen hooks: Sizes 0/4-11 are commonly used for fishing with live bait or small lures. They have a long shank and light wire construction, penetrating the fish’s mouth easily.
- Octopus hooks: Sizes 0/2-4 are shorter shank hooks with a wider gap, commonly used for fishing live bait or soft plastic lures for species such as salmon, steelhead, and walleye.
- Treble hooks: Sizes 0/4-6 are fishing hooks with three hook points used for fishing with artificial lures and can increase the chances of catching species such as bass, trout, and pike.
- Jig hooks: Sizes 1/0-6/0, are fishing hooks designed for use with jigs and other artificial lures and have a flat, round, or oval-shaped head and a bend in the shank, making them suitable for catching species such as bass, trout, and panfish.
- J hooks: Sizes 1/0-10/0, is a fishing hook with a curved inward hook point, commonly used for live bait or cut bait fishing and effective for species such as bass, catfish, and walleye due to its secure hook set.
- Sickle hooks: Sizes 1/0-5/0 are a type of fishing hook with a unique bent shape, designed to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth and reduce injury, they are commonly used for species such as bass, crappie, and walleye and are a versatile tool for freshwater fishing.
- Siwash hooks: Sizes 1/0-5/0 are durable fishing hooks with an elongated shank and straight eye, commonly used in saltwater fishing but also suitable for freshwater fishing, and known for their strength and reliability when catching large species such as salmon, tuna, and musky.
- Wide gap hooks: Sizes 1/0-6/0 are fishing hooks with a large gap between the hook point and the shank, commonly used for soft plastic baits and known for their effectiveness.
- Weedless hooks: Sizes 2/0-6/0, are fishing hooks with a weighted head and wire guard that covers the hook point, designed to minimize snagging on underwater vegetation, commonly used for freshwater and saltwater fishing and a popular choice among anglers looking to fish in weedy areas.
Fish Hook Design Features
This section explains key features of fish hooks for freshwater fishing, including hook point, barbless and barbed hooks, and hook shank.
- Hook point is an important feature to consider when selecting a fish hook.
- There are two types of hooks: barbless and barbed hooks.
- Barbless hooks are recommended for catch-and-release fishing because they don’t have a barb on the hook point, which reduces harm to the fish.
- Barbed hooks have a small barb on the hook point that securely holds the bait or fish in place as you retrieve it.
- The hook shank is the portion of the hook that connects the eye of the hook to the bend or the point of the hook. Hook shank can be short or long, affecting how the hook is used and its overall performance.
Examples:
- If you plan to catch and release fish, it’s best to use barbless hooks to reduce harm to the fish.
- If you want to keep the bait or fish securely in place as you retrieve it, use barbed hooks.
- The length of the hook shank can impact how it is used and how effective it is in catching fish.
Types of Fishing and Considerations for Hook Selection
Fishing can be broken down into several types, requiring different equipment and techniques. Understanding these types can help you select the right hook for your needs.
Offshore Fishing
- Offshore fishing involves fishing in deep waters for large species of fish.
- To catch large fish, use a strong, sharp hook that can withstand pressure.
- Eagle Claw is one of the popular hook manufacturers for offshore fishing hooks.
Live Bait Fishing
- Natural bait fishing involves using live bait, such as worms or minnows, to attract fish.
- To avoid injuring the bait, use a light wire hook that can penetrate the fish’s mouth easily.
- Carolina rig is a popular rig for live bait fishing, while the Texas rig is another option that can be used for live bait or soft plastic lures.
Artificial Lures Fishing
- Artificial lure fishing involves using artificial baits, such as creature baits, jigs, or spinners, to mimic the movement of live bait.
- Use a hook that matches the size of the fish you’re targeting and the size of the bait you’re using.
Hook Selection Considerations
- Consider the species of fish you’re targeting when selecting a hook.
- A hook’s size should match the size of the fish’s mouth to ensure a proper hook set.
- Dull hooks can reduce your chances of a successful catch, so use sharp hooks.
- Hook sets ensure that the hook penetrates the fish’s mouth properly.
- Small hooks are suitable for catching small fish, while large hooks are suitable for catching big fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most freshwater trout, use a tiny hook size of #14 to #8. I would start with a size #10 thin wire hook. If you’re missing hooksets, go to a #12 or #14 thin wire hook.
In most cases, a treble hook size of #14 to #10 is appropriate for freshwater trout. A size #12 hook is a good place to start
Use a small hook size of #6 to #10 for most lake trout because they won’t bite if the hook is too big.
Brook trout are hooked with a #14 to #8 hook, which suits their size. Start with a size #12 hook and change if you aren’t getting bites. Larger hooks tend to frighten picky fish away.
The hook should be a #10 to #6 hook for brown trout, which are appropriate for their size.
Overall, bass hooks range from #1 to 3/0 sizes depending on the bait size.
Largemouth bass can be finicky gamefish. So, the best hooks range from 1/0 to 3/0, depending on the bait size.
Smallmouth bass are some of the more aggressive freshwater gamefish. So, the best hooks range from #1 to 2/0 sizes depending on the bait size.
Use a larger hook size for striped bass. The best hooks range from 2/0 to 6/0 sizes depending on bait size. Much larger hooks tend to cause missed hooksets.
For most salmon rigs, use a hook size of 1/0 to 6/0 octopus for salmon, depending on species and bait size. For a bead rig, hook sizes vary based on the size of the bead used, ranging from #6 – #8 for a 6 mm to #2 to 1/0 for a 12 mm bead.
A hook size of 2/0 to 6/0 octopus is preferable for salmon rigs fishing for king salmon.
A hook size of #4 to 1/0 octopus is preferable for salmon rigs fishing for pink salmon.
A hook size of #2 to 2/0 octopus is ideal for sockeye (red) salmon.
The ideal size for Coho salmon is a hook of #2 to 2/0 octopus.
A hook size of #2 to 1/0 for freshwater and 2/0 to 5/0 octopus is ideal for saltwater chinook salmon.
For most steelhead rigs, use a hook size of 1/0 or 4/0 octopus for steelhead. For a bead rig, hook sizes vary based on the size of the bead used, ranging from #6 – #8 for a 6 mm to #2 to 1/0 for a 12 mm bead.
For most steelhead rigs, use a hook size of 1/0 or 4/0 octopus for steelhead. For a bead rig, hook sizes vary based on the size of the bead used, ranging from #6 – #8 for a 6 mm to #2 to 1/0 for a 12 mm bead.
A hook size of #1 to 3/0 octopus is preferable for steelhead rigs when fishing for summer steelhead.
Catfish sizes vary greatly by species, but generally, #10 to #2 work best for smaller varieties and up to 10/0 to 12/0 for larger catfish species.
For channel catfish, hooks ranging from #10 to 1/0 work best depending on bait size.
Flathead catfish grow up to 100 lbs, and hook sizes ranging from 4/0 to 10/0 work best.
A treble hook size of #8 to 1/0 is generally preferable for catfish.
Hook sizes between #4 to #1 are great for all crappie species beginning with size #2.
Use hook sizes between #12 and #8 for bluegill all sunfish varieties starting with size #10.
Use hook sizes between #6 and #4 for all carp varieties starting with size #6 to avoid scaring off bites.
Hook sizes ranging from #8 to #2 are ideal for all perch species beginning with size #4.
White perch should be started with a hook size #6. The size range is #8 to #4.
The ideal hook size for catching yellow perch is #6. The size range is from #8 to #4.
Hook sizes #2 to 1/0 are ideal for walleye fishing, beginning with size #2.
Use hook sizes between #12 and #8 for all panfish varieties, starting with size #10.
Hook sizes #2 to 1/0 are ideal for walleye fishing, beginning with size #2.
I recommend hook sizes between #12 and #8 for all sunfish varieties starting with size #10. These include bluegill, red ear sunfish, green sunfish, pumpkinseed, warmouth, spotted sunfish, dollar sunfish, bantam sunfish, longear sunfish, red-spotted sunfish, redbreast sunfish, northern sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish.
Bream, another name for sunfish, require hook sizes between #12 and #8.
For most pike fishing, I recommend hook sizes #6 to #1.
Hook sizes ranging from #6 to #1 are the best for most varieties of muskies.
Garfish hook sizes vary by technique, but generally, #2 to 3/0 work best for lip hooking and up to 4/0 to 10/0 for circle hook rigs.
Other Sources
There are various fishing hook sizes and types, but how do they work?
BadAngling.com has created an all-inclusive guide discussing various sizes and types of hooks and how they operate.
Conclusion
When selecting a hook for fishing, consider the type of fishing you’ll be doing and the species of fish you’re targeting. Ensure that the hook is sharp and appropriate for the size of the fish’s mouth. Whether you’re using live bait or artificial lures, matching the hook size to the bait size is crucial for success.
As always, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below! Tight lines!
