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Fishing Hooks
Introduction How to Decide Which Fishing Hook to Use What Size Hook to Use? Different Sizes of Hooks Types of Fishing Hooks Fish Hook Shapes and Names Colored Hooks Which Hook For Which Fish? What About Fishing Line? Hooks and Bait Selection Popular Fish Hook Manufacturers How to String a Fishing Hook Fish Hook Removal Purchase Fishing Hooks
If you have already been down the fishing isle at the store and seen that there were so many sizes and shapes and styles of hooks to choose from, you probably left the store, came home and googled "How to Decide Which Fishing Hook to Use". There are fishing hooks with straight shanks, offset shanks and twisted shanks. There are wide gap, octopus hooks and circle fishing hooks. They come in thin wire, thick wire, weedless and wacky styles just to name a few. With so many species of fish, so many sizes and styles of hooks and such little time, how do you pick the right hook for a specific technique? There can be much confusion to choosing hooks. Having enough knowledge about these factors, their advantages and disadvantages will help you in using Fish Hooks effectively. But we'll start you out on how to just keep it basic. There are many questions to ask ourselves on what hook or hooks to buy: What Size Hook Should I Use? A lot of people may simply figure they either need a big hook or a small hook, depending on the fish they are pursuing. It's not that simple and we'll discuss more on hook sizes further on down the page. What Is The Best Hook In Your Price Range?
When
purchasing fishing hooks, don't skimp on the price. An inexpensive
hook may seem like a good deal, but may often be duller, corrode more
quickly and bend or break more easily. Ensure the manufacturer of the
hooks you are considering has a good reputation for producing top
quality products. What Species of Fish Are You Targeting?
The
species that you are targeting will have a huge effect on which hook
you choose. Generally, larger fish require large durable hooks, and
small species require small hooks. It is also important to keep in
mind that some species have disproportionate mouths. For example, an
8" long sunfish will require a #10 or smaller hook, but an
8" largemouth bass could easily fit a 2/0 hook in it's mouth.
Also, fish that can feel or see a hook easily may require a smaller
hook than less wary species that will aggressively attack the bait. What Type of Bait Will You Be Using? The type and size of bait will determine not only the size of hook, but also the style and shape of the hook. There are specially designed hooks for use with specific types of baits and lures. Again, We'll discuss the shapes and styles of hooks further down the page. On this page we will explain the basics about fish hooks and which hook is best for your fishing needs.
Selecting
the proper hook size and bait, and knowing how to fish it, can make
all the difference. Let's start off with . . . The Anatomy of A Fish Hook A basic fishing hook is shaped like the letter "j" and is made up of several parts. They are called the eye, the shank, the bend, the barb, and the point.
Hook eyes can also be positioned one of three ways on the shank.
The
eye of a hook can be straight (which is common in most bait hooks),
turned-down (believed to increase hooking percentage as it
directs the point into the fish) and turned-up (mainly used for
snelled bait hooks).
There are numerous types of hook points. Some of the most common are:
How to Decide Which Fishing Hook to Use
The
choice of hook depends on several issues. Obviously, the smaller the
fish, the smaller the hook required. You also have to take into
consideration that line size, fish species, type of bait, and fishing
structure play a major role in hook selection. Quit panicking! We'll
break it all down nice and easy. It all
depends on the type of fish and the tackle you plan to use. Light
tackle demands thinner hooks. Heavy tackle demands thicker hooks. And
the size and species of fish determine the size of hook. What Size Hook to Use? A lot of people may simply figure they either need a big hook or a small hook, depending on the fish they are pursuing. Generally, large hooks are for larger fish and smaller hooks are for small fish. You should choose a hook appropriate for the weight of fish you will be trying to catch. Rule of thumb: you can catch a big fish on a small hook but you will be unable to catch a small fish on a large hook. So it is always best to opt to go with caution and use slightly smaller hooks to cover all bases. So you're probably thinking that the guy that wrote this page just indicated that the best bet is to use a small hook and the reason made good sense, so why is the writer continuing with this topic? If that's the case; why are you still reading it? Because you want to learn more, you want to learn all you can about fishing. Well, there is more than just buying a small hook.
An
experienced angler is knowledgeable enough to know which hook is the
right size for the fish they are after. To the new, unknowing,
inexperienced angler, fish hook sizes can be quite confusing as the
numbering system doesn't seem to make much sense. Different Sizes of Hooks
There
is no uniform system of hook measurements currently in place. Here in the good Ol' US of A, the measures go from the smallest size 32 (which is barely large enough to hold between two fingers) and count down. As the number decreases, the size increases all the way down to a number 1 hook. At this point the number changes to a designation of "aught" or zero. A 1/0 (pronounced "one aught") hook is the next larger size to a number 1. A 2/0 is larger still, and this numbering scheme goes as high as 19/0. The numbers represent relative sizes, normally associated with the gap (the distance from the point tip to the shank). The smallest size available is 32 and largest 19/0. To Sum it up.
The
smaller the number, the larger the hook.
The
size breakdown from smallest to largest fishing hook looks like this
All
of these hooks come in a short, regular, or long shank version. The
shank of the hook is the part between the eye of the hook and the bend.
Fish
Hook Size Chart
This fish hook size chart above is based on Mustad's O'Shaughnessy Sea Hooks and shows the variation in sizes from a size 9/0 hook with a total length of just over 3" down to a size 8 hook with a total length of just over 5/8".
Do
NOT use a Hook Size Guide Chart if you search for one on the
Internet. Your Browser may not be at the right settings for an
accurate description. If you need a chart of the sizes, I recommend
you contact the manufacturer for a brochure. Types of Fishing Hooks It's not only about the right size hook, but probably most importantly is the right type of hook you need to think about.
Know
which hook to use for the type of fishing you want to do. For
instance, if you are fishing with live bait, some hooks specifically
designed for that purpose have barbs on the shanks to help keep bait
on the hook. When you use dough baits, a treble hook will hold the
bait better than a single hook. First reference to types of hooks would be the fact that there are single, double and treble hooks.
Double
hooks are formed from a single piece of wire and may or may not have
their shanks brazed together for strength. Fish Hook Shapes and Names
The
following is not necessarily need to know information right now, but
it is good reference material. You can keep reading, browse it over or Move On To The Nest Topic Hook shapes and names are as varied as fish themselves. In some cases hooks are identified by a traditional or historic name, e.g. Aberdeen, Limerick or O'Shaughnessy. In other cases, hooks are merely identified by their general purpose or have included in their name, one or more of their physical characteristics. Some manufacturers just give their hooks model numbers and describe their general purpose and characteristics. Fish hook shapes and names include the Salmon Egg, Beak, O'Shaughnessy, Baitholder, Shark Hook, Aberdeen, Carlisle, Carp Hook, Tuna Circle, Offset Worm, Circle Hook, suicide hook, Long Shank, Short Shank, J Hook, Octopus Hook and Big Game Jobu hooks.
Fly hook shapes and names
Fly
hook shapes include Sproat, Sneck, Limerick, Kendal, Viking, Captain
Hamilton, Barleet, Swimming Nymph, Bend Back, Model Perfect, Keel,
and Kink-shank. Colored Hooks Colored live bait hooks are becoming increasingly popular, with most companies producing product with vibrant hues and glow paint. But the question on many peoples mind is, "Do they really work?" Some swear by it while others claim they make no difference whatsoever. It falls under the same principle as different colored lures; if something isn't working, switch up! They surely do not hurt. The only thing that I would say about red hooks is the hype given by the manufactures claiming that fish go after red hooks because of the sight of blood. Really? Fish don't see blood and say, "wow, look, I see blood!" No! As fish are very much attracted to blood; it's the SMELL of blood that attracts them - not the sight!
You
be your own judge on whether colored hooks really make a difference.
Our
recommendation for the best hooks for fishing would be the O'Shaughnessy,
Aberdeen, Circle
and Weedless Hooks. Which Hook For Which Fish? The solution is an easy one: Buy variety packs of hooks (this is an economical way to do it), or buy a range of separate hooks that will work for your fishing location. Begin assembling a range of hooks like the ones in the following figure, from tiny to large, and in a few styles. If you can, buy both J hooks and circle hooks. You want to be ready to catch whatever fish presents itself, with whatever bait is available and needed. Using a too small of a hook will result in swallowed hooks, making the hook difficult to remove and endangering the fish. A hook that is too large will look unnatural and may be avoided by the fish Look for hooks in sizes 4-10. Hooks with a long "shank" (the part between the eye and the barb) are easier to remove from fish with small mouths, such as sunfish. Use a hook that fits the mouth of the fish you want to catch. Size 8 and 10 hooks are best for crappies, sunfish, and carp. Size 4 and 6 are good for walleyes, catfish, and northern pike.
To
get more information on which hook to use for a certain species of
fish visit Our Types of Fish
Page and choose the fish you are after. From there you will find all
the information needed in catching that particular fish. What About Fishing Line? Your choice of hook type and size is definitely influenced by your line size. Eight-pound test line can only exert a maximum of eight pounds of pressure on a hook set. That thick heavy-duty hook will have a hard time penetrating the jaw of a fish with that little pressure. Heavy line, say fifty or sixty pound test, can easily force that hook home. But a small wire Aberdeen hook will likely be bent straight without penetrating the jaw if used with heavy line. The answer lies in matching the line size, the type of fish, and the type and size of hook as a package. Start off with an eight-pound line with a 3/8-ounce jig head and a 3/0 Aberdeen hook. The eight-pound line is heavy enough and the Aberdeen hook is thin enough so that the hook set actually hooks the fish. There is a balance that has to be struck between hook size and anticipated fish size. You can catch a twenty-pound fish on eight-pound line quite regularly. The line is not the problem. A good drag puts you on a level playing field when fishing with light line.
The
balance is in the hook size. If the hook is too small, it will
penetrate easily, but will pull straight even easier causing you to
loose a good fish. If the hook is too large or thick, your light line
can't exert enough pressure for the hook to penetrate, hence your
fish fights for a second or two and then swims free. Hooks and Bait Selection The hook you use needs to be large enough to be able to hold the bait and hook the fish, yet small enough that it doesn't actually hide the bait! Live bait hooks and Kahle hooks should be used for "live" bait. Choose the hook size according to the bait size. Don't get the hook lost in the bait, and don't kill the bait with a hook that is too large.
This
company is a favorite amongst many anglers, and for good reason.
They have a wide range of affordable hooks that perform as good or
better than many of the competition. Gamakatsu
Hailing
from another primary fishing nation, Gamakatsu produces an
extraordinarily well crafted line of hooks for both freshwater and
saltwater conditions. Most often, anglers know Gamakatsu fishing
hooks as a top choice for deep sea fishing, an art form the Japanese
perfected centuries ago. Mustad
This
company has been producing their Mustad fish hooks since the late
1800's. Mustad fishing hooks are for freshwater, saltwater and even
commercial fishing purposes. The company's full name is O. Mustad and
Son A.S. and they are based in one of the greatest fishing nations in
the world: Norway. A Mustad fishing hook is known for being a quality
implement no matter what specialty fish it was designed to be used for. TroKar
TroKar
hooks are known for their sharpness and ease of penetration. They
were designed in conjunction with a company that produces surgical
needles in order to create an extremely sharp yet strong point. VMC
This
company is over 200 years old and one of France's oldest companies.
Known for high quality fishing hooks, their treble hooks are standard
fare on most high end fishing lures. How to String a Fishing Hook String the hook by tying an improved clinch knot. Pass the tag or free end of your fishing line through the eye of the fish hook. Pull five or six inches of line through the eye. Twist the tag end of the line around the main line making six or seven complete wraps around the line. Hold the hook and both lines with one hand and wrap the tag end around the main line with the other. The hand used to wrap will depend on your dominant hand. Forming the wraps around the main line will create a small loop just above the eye of the hook that will be used later in tying the knot. Continue to hold the hook and lines firmly in place with one hand, and with the other, turn the tag end of the line down toward the hook and pass it through the small loop formed in the line just above the eye of the hook. Do not pull the line tight at this point. Feed the tag end through the larger loop formed along side the knot. This larger loop was formed along side the wrapped main line when the tag end was pulled down to pass through the small loop above the eye. Moisten the knot and pull the tag end to tighten the knot down around the eye of the hook. Use a pair of scissors to cut excess line from the knot. Trial and error are often the best teachers in any skill. A Fish Hook is a very essential piece in your Fishing Tackle. As the name implies, its main function is to hook up the fish through its mouth or throat. With a purpose as vital as this, it would benefit you to keep good care of your hooks and invest in quality hard-ware and stock up on basic and specialized equipment to be prepared for a range of fishing scenarios.
Shop
for Fish Hooks at Our FUNdamentals of Fishing Store. Fish Hook Removal The most common accident during fishing season involves hooks enlodged in something other than a fish - like you or somebody else. Do yourself a favor and learn how to do this before you need it. Fishing hooks are easy to remove with the proper technique provided it is NOT hooked in a serious part of the body. If the hook is embedded in or near the eye or on the face - DO NOT attempt to remove the hook. Try to stabilize the hook if you can and seek medical attention immediately! All head injuries should be shown to a doctor. Keep your tetanus shots updated. See Serious Injuries
Single
barbless hooks are extremely easy to remove from fish and human
flesh. Treble and barbed hooks will cause injury if the hook is
ripped or jerked in the wrong direction. The Snatch Method The best method that seems to be recognized by most experienced hook-remover professionals and even by some doctors is called the snatch method. No matter where the hook ends up this method works. This method is quick, simple and relatively painless, as long as you get it on the first try. The thought is more painful than the extraction itself. The secret to a first time success is yanking the loop of line, which is wrapped around the embedded hook, rather hard so the hook comes out on the first try. The reason you should get it out on the first try is obvious, the patient might not stick around for a second try.
The
snatch method of hook removal is simple and effective, It's the best
method to remove a hook that's deeply imbedded in the skin and when
the barb is buried. To perform the snatch method when the barb is imbedded, all that's needed is a short length of fishing line, at least 10 pound test, approximately 2 feet long. Remove the hook from the lure if a hook and lure are involved.
Disinfect with hydrogen peroxide. Apply a layer of antibiotic ointment to the wound to encourage healing and prevent infection. Bandage wound and check to make sure tetanus shots are current. Hooks that cannot be easily removed from human flesh must be removed by a doctor. Monitor the wound after removal and visit a doctor if any signs of infection are evident.
Consider
storing a small First
Aid Kit in your Tackle Box.
A fishhook injury is more serious when:
Symptoms to watch for during home treatment Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:
Preventions from Getting Hooked The following tips will help you reduce your chance of a fishhook injury:
Fish
with single hooks rather than multiple hooks.
If
you have
any hints, suggestions, techniques or anything that you would like to share
or
have me put onto this web page,
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