What Size Hook For Bass

[mathnerdm]

I'm extremely new to bass fishing and this is my first thread here. I know I'm a noob so let's just get that out of the way lol. I have caught some bass but usually just luck as I was never really to into it to care about what I was fishing for. My main question is what size hook do you use for fishing bass, I heard the difference isn't as much of whether its small or large mouth bass but more of what bait you're throwing. So if  I'm using nightcrawlers, what size hook would you recommend? Also, when talking about hooks, is a size say 3 different than a 3/0? (Remember me saying I was a noob? I wasn't kidding)... One other side question, would y'all recommend using live bait or spinnerbait for the highest success rate? Thanks and i appreciate any and all help!

[dddyfz27]

Im kinda new to fishing to but Ive learned TONS of stuff from watching Glenn on Youtube. Take a look at this video and i think it will help you out.

 

 

I would highly recommend subscribing to his channel.  Helped me out tremendously.  Hope it helps

[mathnerdm]

Can't watch it now but really appreciate the link! Can't wait to watch it, by the title it seems it's exactly what I need. Thanks a bunch.

[CxThree]

I'm new too.  Hope this link helps you.  I asked almost the same question. 

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/121814-which-hook-do-you-use-for-bass-fishing-with-plastic-worms/

[martintheduck]

Live worms for bass fishing?!    I imagine just a 2/0 worm hook? 

 

Lots of hooks use the #/0 system and some use just a #. 

 

When referring to a 3/0 hook, people will usually say "three ott hook." A good way to see all the differences is to go to a sporting goods store and just LOOK at all the different stuff!

 

I've never used live bait to catch bass. There is a TON of different artificial  baits you can use on bass, which is how a lot of people end up spending tons of money on fishing. When  I started fishing, it was recommended I learn using http://zoombait.com/trickflukes/flukes/super-fluke/

 

Was told to use a 4/0 size offset worm hook. Tie the hook to the line using a palomar knot. Put the fluke onto the hook "texas rigged." Cast it. Let it sink to the bottom. Twitch the rod 2 or 3 times. Let bait sink again. Twitch rod 2-3 times. Repeat until you retrieve the bait.

 

So there is your homework newbie! Watch youtube videos from "bassresource" on how to fish a fluke. Learn how to tie a palomar knot. Learn how to attach a bait "texas rigged."

 

 

Hopefully some of that helped.

[AK-Jax86]

Size 4 or 5

[CxThree]

The general message I got was that there are a few good brands and any of those will work good.  Most people use a 3 or 4 for normal baits and then a 4 or 5 offset for larger worms like the 10+inch ones. 

[martintheduck]

The general message I got was that there are a few good brands and any of those will work good.  Most people use a 3 or 4 for normal baits and then a 4 or 5 offset for larger worms like the 10+inch ones. 

 

 

Any soft bait I use a 2/0 up to a 7/0 offset hook... might be an offset worm or and offset extra wide gap. The offset of the hook eye lets the bait sit better on the hook when texas rigged and hide the hook eye inside the bait.

[WRB]

Reading this thread is eye opening! Can you say the blind leading the blind...just pulling your chain.

Night crawlers, are you talking about Canadian night crawlers that are about 6" to 8" long and 1/4" in diameter?

Soft plastic worm hooks are too big for live night crawlers. All you need is a size 1 Owner circle hook #5114 (octopus style) and either nose or tail hook the crawlers and fly line the worm without out a weight on 6 to 8 lbs mono line. This style hook will prevent gut hooking, as bass tend to swallow live bait very fast.

Go online and look at Barlows Tackle catalog, click on hooks...this is a good reference guide.

Tom

[SirSnookalot]

Match the size of the hook to the bait.  I'd be using different sizes for red, leaf worms, or nightcrawlers.  Same would apply for baitfish, as small as a 1/0 up to 6/0 to catch the same sized fish.  I do a lot of fishing with bucktails and flairhawks, form 1/4 oz with a smaller hook to 1oz with a larger hook, the target species and size remains the same.

[RoachDad]

 "three ott hook."

 

 

 

three AUGHT  

 

  Aught is the old school word for zero.

[Sam]

On 8/2/2013 at 0:28 AM, SirSnookalot said:

Match the size of the hook to the bait.  I'd be using different sizes for red, leaf worms, or nightcrawlers.  Same would apply for baitfish, as small as a 1/0 up to 6/0 to catch the same sized fish.  I do a lot of fishing with bucktails and flairhawks, form 1/4 oz with a smaller hook to 1oz with a larger hook, the target species and size remains the same.

 

This is exactly what I was going to post. Snook is on the ball, as usual.

 

Too many baits along with too many hooks to give you a simple answer.

 

As suggested above, check out the BassResource Series on YouTube and when you are interested in a specific bait ask us about the hook sizes that would work best.

[Jig Man]

when talking about hooks, is a size say 3 different than a 3/0?

 

Yes there would be a big difference.  I have never seen a size 3 hook but I sometimes use a #8 or #4 for crappie.

 

The largest number with out the /0 is the smallest hook.  The /0 sizes go from 1/0 to very large with 1/0 being the smallest of that series.

[martintheduck]

three AUGHT  

 

  Aught is the old school word for zero.

 

 

You've just answered my life long question that I've been too afraid to ask, and too forgetful to google. I will never forget this day, RoachDad.

[mathnerdm]

When you are interested in a specific bait ask us about the hook sizes that would work best.

 

Canadian Nightcrawlers is what I'll be using.

[bigbill]

I'm up to 10/0 and 11/0 for my big frog hooks. Remember the bigger bass are known to eat languish and baby ducks too. They call them bucket mouth for a reason. I really don't think we can use a hook too big. It's when our hook is too small in the plastics is where we get into trouble.

[Hattrick7]

Canadian Nightcrawlers is what I'll be using.

If you're using live worms I'd also recommend circle hooks. One thing to know about circle hooks is that you don't want to "set" the hook. If you do, the way the hook is designed, the hook will just pull out of fish with no hook set. You will wait for the bass to load up on your rod then start reeling. The hook will automatically hook onto its mouth area. Lots of YouTube vids.

If you gut hook the bass chances are you'll end up ripping part of its guts out trying to unhook which usually means death.

I would use size 4 circle hooks. If youre catch and release I'd also crush the barbs down so unhooking is super easy.

[Catt]

K.I.S.S.

Match the hook size to lure diamater!

Straight shank round bend for any thing smaller than a Senko.

Wide gap for the rest