Fishing hooks come in a wide array of sizes, shapes, colors and weights. Each type of hook is specifically designed to accommodate a certain style of fishing. Whether you are fishing with the smallest of hooks used for bream or the largest, capable of handling goliath grouper and sharks, proper use and maintenance of the fishing hook will make for a more successful angling experience.
Buy Quality Hooks
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.
Hook Types
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 a single hook.
Hook Sizes
Hooks come in a range of sizes and wire weights. Study the type of fish you are targeting and understand the best hook size and weight for that species. As an example, bluegills require a No. 8 to a No. 12 hook because of their small mouths. Larger fish, such as snapper, may require hooks size 6/0 or larger.
Sharpness
A hook is only good if it is sharp. Examine your hooks regularly to ensure that the points are needle sharp. Check sharpness by placing the point of the hook on your thumbnail and trying to drag it across a surface. The hook should not move easily. Use a sharpening stone to improve the point, if it is dull.
Remove Soft Baits
Many soft baits have salts and other chemicals embedded in them that can be very corrosive. To protect your hooks from damage by soft baits, remove them when not using your fishing gear and rinse your hooks in fresh water afterward.
Barbless Hooks
In some situations, such as trout fishing, you may want or even be required to use a barbless hook. You can easily change a barbed hook into a barbless hook. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to crush the barb down against the wire of the hook.
Catch and Release
If you do not plan to keep the fish you catch, try a circle hook. Fish can easily swallow other types of hooks, which may catch in the throat. This makes it very difficult to remove the hook without injuring the fish. Circle hooks, on the other hand, are designed to catch the fish in the corner of the mouth or lip, making it much easier to remove them safely and return the fish to the water unharmed.
Knots
It pays to learn how to tie a good knot when attaching a fishing hook to line. Improperly tied, a knot can slip or cut the line, allowing the hook to come loose. Knots, such as the snell knot or Palomar knot, are good choices for tying fish hooks to fishing line.
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