which hooks for which baits?

[shootermcbob]

I fish with brush hogs, baby brush hogs, flappin hogs, and gonna try some big worms. How do you folks decide which hook to use??? i have been using mostly 2/0, 3/0, and 4/0 gamakatsu EWG  for my stuff to this point. Any advice, pointers, or experiences welcomed. Thanks

[SteveF]

I believe that in most instances that the 3 sizes you mentioned will fit pretty much every bait available.  I typically look at the size of the bait in relation to thickness/length and base my hook size from there as best as possible.  For example I believe that a 4/0-5/0 hook would make me feel a little bit better with the Flappin Hog, however the bait is pretty short for these sizes as it is very thick in relation to length and I typically fish it with a 3/0 EWG.  The Brush Hog would probably best be suited with a 2/0-3/0 as well and the baby Brush Hog with a 1/0 or 2/0 as they are fairly small in size (diameter or thickness).  I also believe that the guage of the hook to be very important for some people depending upon there set up, for example a 2/0 standard hook may not fair to well with a flipping stick and 50 pound braid in FL however.

Use the smallest hook you can get by with (typically speaking) but yet get virtually a 100% hooked to land percentage as I feel you should not loose hardly any fish at all with a single hook bait (there are ocassions and days though).

Take care,

Steve

[Marty]

My personal guideline is to use a hook with a gap at least double the diameter of the plastic. This will allow room for the hook to get through the plastic and into the fish's jaw.

[reo]

Here is a link to a great discussion on the subject

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1220207822

Hope it helps

reo

[shootermcbob]

Thanks for the link.