Understanding Hooks: Sizes, Styles, and Uses

When you break down fishing to its core, there are really only four things that you need to get started. You need a rod, a reel, some line, and a hook. While that seems simple, all of those pieces of equipment have plenty of different options for different use cases. Hooks stand out above the rest, as there are dozens of options to pick from that aren’t always easy to understand. Here’s everything you need to know about hook sizes, styles, and use cases, no matter what you’re fishing for.

Let’s start by understanding hook sizes. At first glance, it seems kind of backwards to what would make sense. You can find a #32 hook and a #1 hook, and the #32 is actually smaller than the #1. However, once you get past a #1, the sizing convention changes to 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, etc., describing larger and larger sizes as the number increases.

While this sizing convention is a good overview, it’s not actually a standard from manufacturer to manufacturer. What one company calls a 2/0 might actually be a 3/0 from another manufacturer. As an example, here’s a breakdown of what some sizes might be good for:

• #8: small panfish hook

• #4: standard live bait hook

• 3/0: bass hook for soft plastic rigs

Each size is going to be best paired with different sizes of bait to target different species of fish. 

In general:

Small Hook = Small Fish

Big Hook = Big Fish

While there are dozens of different kinds of hooks, all for their own niche use cases, there are a few that stand out as the most commonly used by anglers no matter what they’re going after. Here’s an overview of the ones you need to know for sure:

Bait holder hooks are one of the most common hooks anglers think of when they picture a fishing hook (with one small change). These are straight-shanked hooks with some barbs included on the shank to help keep bait (live or artificial) from sliding off the hook. These are primarily used for live bait, including nightcrawlers, leeches, and minnows. You’ll usually be using a bait holder hook if you’re going after walleye, trout, panfish, or catfish.

Circle hooks are a saltwater angler’s best friend. These hooks are more circular in shape, with the point turned sharply inward toward the shank. This design allows the hook to rotate more easily in the corner of the mouth of the fish, which makes it unnecessary to do hard hooksets. A circle hook is best paired with live bait or cut bait while chasing after inshore saltwater species. Some example fish you’d use a circle hook for include redfish, snook, and catfish.

A J-hook is another common option on the market. These hooks have a long shaft with a slight bend, with a straight point going upwards, creating a large gap. The J-hook is one of the most versatile hooks out there. This style of hook is best used when paired with both live and artificial bait for most standard rigs you can think of. Because of its versatility, it’s common to use a J-hook for bass, walleye, trout, crappie, catfish, and more. These hooks do require the traditional hookset that you’re used to doing and are a great option when you need good hook penetration.

An offset worm hook looks like most hooks, with the main change being a slight bend near the eye to help lock soft plastics in place. These hooks are commonly used in bass fishing to create weedless soft plastic presentations. 

You’re most likely going to be using an offset worm hook for your Texas rigs, weightless worms, creature baits, craws, and even some swimbaits. Most of the time, if you’re using an offset worm hook, you’re going to be chasing largemouth and smallmouth bass. When you’re using one of these hooks, make sure to bury the point of the hook back into your soft plastic to make it truly weedless.

Another hugely popular hook option in the bass fishing world is the EWG hook. These hooks are similar in design to an offset worm hook; however, they have a much wider gap between the point of the hook and the shaft. These are created this way to make it easier to use much larger soft plastic options when fishing with them. EWG hooks are great for creature baits, tubes, and bulkier swimbaits in many different presentation options. Just like an offset worm hook, you’re most likely using an EWG hook if you’re going after either largemouth or smallmouth bass.

Treble hooks are pretty different than every hook on the list so far. Instead of a hook with a shank and one point, these hooks have the shank in the middle, surrounded by three points facing upwards. These are the hooks you’re most likely going to find attached to many of the common hardbait lures on the market, but can also be used on their own for certain presentations. They’re mostly found on crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwater lures, spoons, and similar hard baits. One rig where you’d use a treble hook on its own is in ice fishing when using tip-ups for pike, where you’d attach live bait to them. Some common species you’ll be going after with a treble hook include bass, pike, muskie, trout, and walleye.

If you’re planning on using finesse presentations, chances are you’re going to come across the octopus hook. These are short-shanked hooks with a wide gap and the eye slightly turned upward. They’re extremely compact and great for using in a finesse rig or with smaller live bait. Drop shot rigs, live minnows, wacky rigging small worms, and light tackle finesse setups are going to thrive with an octopus hook. As for species, they’re best used for trout, bass, walleye, or panfish.