NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing Zone => General Fishing Tips => Topic started by: clarrus on July 05, 2017, 12:07:11 PM

Title: Hook sizes for what?
Post by: clarrus on July 05, 2017, 12:07:11 PM
Super rookie question, if anytime has the time to explain what hook sizes are best for what, I would greatly appreciate it.  Feel free to scoff at my lack of knowledge as well.  I've been using 1 and 2's for everything but I'm not sure if I'm missing an element.
Title: Re: Hook sizes for what?
Post by: Clayman on July 05, 2017, 12:22:57 PM
IMO, hook size should be tailored more to the size of your bait and your presentation.  For example, one can catch a trout on a size 22 or on a 3/0, but you're not going to rig a plastic minnow bait on a size 22, nor would you tie a midge pattern onto a size 3/0.

Some species are finicky about presentation, which can add another wrinkle to hook selection.  Others are not.  What species are you targeting and what baits are you using?

Title: Re: Hook sizes for what?
Post by: clarrus on July 05, 2017, 06:44:26 PM
I'm all poke poling and shore fishing for now.
Title: Re: Hook sizes for what?
Post by: ThreemoneyJ on July 05, 2017, 07:02:10 PM
What Clayman said is spot on.

When I poke pole I use the pre tied eagle claw snelled hooks in the largest size I can find to prevent hook swallowing. That usually means a 1/0 or 2/0. The pre tied snells are super convenient.
Title: Re: Hook sizes for what?
Post by: Clayman on July 05, 2017, 08:20:44 PM
I'm far from an expert poke-poler, but when I do it, I prefer the 1/0 to 2/0 hooks.  Like 3$J said, anything smaller and there's a high risk of the fish swallowing the hook.  You might miss out on some really little fish when using the bigger hooks, but that could be a good thing if you're looking for fillets.
Title: Hook sizes for what?
Post by: AlexB on July 06, 2017, 06:50:27 AM
For poke poling, I like heavy line (40 lb mono works) and a 1/0-2/0 hook that'll bend instead of snapping (think Mustad stainless steel instead of gamagatsu or owner). That way if you snag you can give it a good tug and straighten your hook to pull free rather than leaving gear (trash) stuck in the rocks. Just fix the bend with some pliers and get back to it.


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