Hook sizes for what?

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.

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?

I'm all poke poling and shore fishing for now.

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.

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.

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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