These days there's a hook pattern for every aspect of saltwater fishing, from fine wire fish hooks for delicate baits, through to forged fish hooks for big-game fishing and the improbable looking circle hook.
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Hook Sizes
The smallest hook you're likely to need for saltwater fishing is a size 12 which is no bigger than the nail on your little finger, and that would be baited with a pinch of bread flake to tempt the mullet cruising around in harbours and estuaries. The system of grading hooks according the size isn't entirely straightforward. Starting with the size 12 mentioned above, the sizing system dictates that as the hooks get larger, the numbers get smaller and only even numbers are used - 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 to 1.
Size 1 is still a small hook by saltwater fishing standards - suitable only for the smallest flatfish and their sprat-sized brethren. But going larger from here the system changes. The next size up is a 1/0, increasing in size through 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, 9/0, 10/0, 11/0 to a massive 12/0 shark hook.
Selecting the right size hook to use is a matter of matching it to the size of the bait you intend to impale upon it, and the size of the fish's mouth you hope will enclose it. Remember that whilst you can catch both big and small fish on a small hook, you can't catch a small fish on a big hook - which might result in catching nothing at all.
Single, Double or Treble Fish Hooks?
The hook size method described above holds true for double and treble hooks. For example a size 2/0 treble hook is three size 2/0 singles brazed together sharing a single eye, and a 4/0 double is two 4/0 singles brazed together. Singles are used for most baits, sometimes long-shank versions in tandem (the Pennell Rig) for long baits like marine worms or whole squid, and broad-gape designs for bulky crab baits and the like. Double and treble hooks are used mainly on lures, or live-bait rigs. A treble hook is also often used as the trailing hook on a stinger rig.
J Hook, or C Hook?
We're all familiar with the traditional J Hook - it's quite clear how that works - but the C (circle) hook? What's that all about?
The main feature of circle hooks is their inward-angled point, which gives the impression that they're unlikely to hook-up with anything at all.
And that's partly the intention. There's nothing worse than gut-hooking a fish. Not only does it cause the fish a deal of unnecessary suffering, but you'll not be able to recover the hook without killing the fish. But these hooks solve this problem.
If a fish swallows the bait completely, even taking the hook right down into its stomach, any tension on the line will pull it back up into the fish's mouth, the inward point failing to catch on any internal part of the fish on the way.
But when the direction of pull changes as the hook is drawn into the fish's mouth, the hook will secure a firm hold in the hinge of the jaw, from where it can be easily removed.
This makes circle hooks the hooks of choice for 'catch and release' sport fishermen - and ideal for use with the drop-back trolling technique.
Plain Carbon Steel or Stainless Steel Fish Hooks?
Fish hooks are made in either plain carbon steel, which corrodes in seawater, or stainless steel which doesn't.
As a result plain carbon steel fish hooks need to be sharpened more often than stainless ones, and must be rinsed in freshwater and dried at the end of each trip to prevent them rusting.
However, many saltwater fishermen believe that plain steel hooks are more humane than stainless fish hooks since any fish that escapes with one inside will soon get shot of it when the hook corrodes - a process rapidly accelerated by digestive juices.
So, angler's convenience - or fish's well-being? It's your call.
Barbless Hooks?
These haven't caught on for saltwater fishing like they have for freshwater fishing, but that may change.
It used to be that pretty much anything we caught was destined for the pot - or the cat - so any damage done by the hook wasn't much of a issue. But these days, with conservation of our diminishing fish stocks a real concern for most of us, catch-and-release is fast becoming the norm.
But if there's one time when you'll really wish you'd been using a barbless hook, it's when you've managed to get one embedded in your finger, or some other sensitive body part - and I know!
Fishing Hooks
Looking for the best quality fishing hook. Here are the features to look for when buying a quality fishing tackle. First, identify the species of fish that you are targeting and the type of bait you will be using to target that species. Once you have made the determination, it will help you identify certain parameters in which to choose the correct type. For this article lets just say the target species is a Tuna, 30 pound grade. Most likely here is Southern California you will be using live sardine. Hook size is always relative to the size of the bait and the size of the mouth of the targeted species. Now that we know that a size 3/0 or 4/0 is what we will be using, the angler should think about whether or not they prefer ringed hooks. Ringed hooks allow the hook to twist without twisting and putting added stress on your fishing line. This is a critical feature when fly lining live bait fish like sardine.
Now that we have decided on a size and type we should now think about choosing a style. Traditional J Hooks or Circle hooks. Circle hooks allow the angler to simply reel down on the fish first to set the hook while also allowing for a quality corner of the mouth hook set. These types are also popular because they are rarely swallowed by fish which allows for a safer release. J hooks on the other hand, allow for a more solid strike from the angler when the fish bites. This striking action is what sets the hook when fishing with traditional style J. Many anglers like the excitement these traditional types provide, although not always as efficient in landing the fish. This should be enough info to get you started in making a decision when shopping for fishing tackle.
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Fish Hooks Made of Carbon Nano Tubes Make Sense
Fishhooks made out of stainless steel, and other metals are okay, but perhaps we should make fishhooks out of carbon nano-tube construction. There are many advantages to this, and in the future they will cost less as the manufacturing processes of these materials becomes more feasible. Currently that isn't the case, but in five years it nearly should be. Likewise, the fishing poles should probably also be made out of carbon nanotubes since they could be 50 times stronger than steel, and they can be just as flexible as current day fishing poles.
Fish hooks that are ultra-strong make a lot of sense, and they can also be very small meaning they could be set in series where many hooks become one, and they would still be lighter, and somewhat translucent. The fish would not even see they were there, the fish hook would not give itself away, all they'd see was the bait floating in the water. Right now, online I can't find any such fishhooks made out of these materials, although there are a number of carbon composite fishing poles.
Taking all of this to the next level makes sense, just as it does using space-age materials for golfing. Now then, not everyone is interested in high-tech fishing gear, some people are purists, and that is to say they like using the traditional methods. Nevertheless, if you are serious about fishing, surely you'd want to be one of the first adopters of fishhooks made of these materials. At first, it will probably be considered a novelty to have such high tech space-age materials being used, but as the price comes down and the performance being what it could be, it will eventually become the new norm.
Indeed, I did note online there are a few folks who have filed patterns using such materials for fishhooks, fishing lines, reels, and fishing poles. If you'd like to discuss this in greater detail, I have some thoughts on this issue I'd like to share with you, a couple of design concepts as well. Go ahead and shoot me an e-mail, maybe we should compare notes. Please consider all this and think on it.
A Beginners Guide to Fishing Hooks
Fishing is one of the most loved pass times by a massive amount of people across the globe. A lot of people have also involved themselves in the art of fishing in order to make a living. And for doing so, numerous sorts of tools are used, such as hooks, nets, boats, etc.
In this article we will learn about hooks and their types, characteristics and functions.
Fishing hooks are tools which are used for catching fish. Like the name "hook," itself suggests, the tool is shaped like a hook and it contains a barbed edge which captures the fish and disables it to wriggle its way out of the hook. A hook is divided into various parts, such as:
1. The eye. This is a base ensnare, a point at which the hook is joined with a line.
2. The Shank. This is significantly the straight portion of a hook that is joined to the eye (though designs vary and it always does not have to be straight).
3. Bend.
4. Point.
5. The barb.
Fish hooks have been used since thousands and thousands of years. According to records, history suggests people used fish hooks even back in 7000BC. And through time, the materials and elements in the developments of hooks have changed. Wood, stone, bones, shells, bronze, iron and other sorts of materials were used in the production of hooks; and it is a fact that people still use non metallic hooks in some parts of the globe today. Hooks which were made by using steel first appeared and then significantly grew popular for professional use after the sixteenth century.
What are Treble hooks?
We get three different types of hooks in the market, which are: The "single" hook (basic type), "double hook, (this sort of hooks has one eye but a couple of conjoining shanks)".
Treble hooks are essentially used while fly-fishing. A treble hook is known to be "fully clad" in colored feathers in order to simulate lures or insects. One of the most noticeable functions of a treble hook is its total grip at the fish's mouth. People also use treble hooks while lure-fishing where the treble hooks are fixed on a lure that conjures up the prey of the catch intended.
Lures are available in numerous types such as bobbed - These give the illusion of swimming upside and downwards, whereas some sorts of lures are designed to go all the way down to the floor and collide with the sand in order to give the fish the illusion of activity. However, irrespective of what sort of lure you use, it is best advised to use a treble hook in order to ensure that the fish does not escape you.
The only disadvantage of a treble hook may be the fact that it damages the fish you capture, to some extent. Therefore, just in case you fish for sport or fun and that you intend to let go of the fish after capturing it... then it is not advisable to use a treble hook. Because the fish struggles once it is captured and in consequence, its mouth is bound to be damaged significantly. However, if you want to capture a fish - Using a treble hook gets your job done.
Gang Hooks Simply Catch More Fish
For those of you who have never heard of the term "gang-hooks", it's probably time for you to take a closer look. A set of gang hooks is fairly simple to tie yourself, or you can buy them, the choice is yours. What's important is that you begin using them for all of your live bait fishing. A set of gang hooks is, by far, the most natural way to present a worm.
Gang hooks are simply two small hooks tied in tandem. Hooks that are probably much smaller than you may be accustomed to. I personally prefer size 10 hooks. My preference is 2 size 10 hooks tied on four pound test. And I catch BIG fish with a setup that's this size. I consistently catch Smallmouth Bass up and Rainbow Trout up to five or six pounds on gang hooks setups exactly that size.
The only downfall to a gang hook setup is that some state regulations don't allow them. So check your state regulations before fishing with gang hooks. I know from experience that in Montana and Pennsylvania gang hooks are perfectly legal. Check your local regulations before using them though, just to be safe.
So how do you get a hold of gang hooks? There are two ways. First you can do a little research on knots, and tie them yourself. His is obviously the most inexpensive way. Research the "Snell knot". The other way to get a hold of gang hooks is to just buy them. Go somewhere like JRWfishing and you'll be good to go. My theory has always been, that you can make a hamburger yourself to save money or you can just go to McDonald's and pick one up. The choice is yours.
The bottom line is that if you begin employing a set of pre-tied gang hooks into your live bait fishing, you'll simply catch more fish. The natural presentation that gang hooks provide can't be beat. The days of the "worm ball" and threading a worm onto a hook are gone the moment you begin using gang hooks. With gang hooks, you simply hook the head on the worm into the top hook, the hook the second hook into the worms' body. Now your worm is rigged and looks exactly like it would if there were no hooks at all. It's a beautiful thing. Give gang hooks a shot, I promise that you won't be disappointed.
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