Question About Hook Sizes Compared To Worm Sizes

[eagles]

Well I've been thinking, what size hook is most appropriate for each size bait. Should a 3/0 only be used for 5-6 in baits or should a 3-5 in bait be on a 4/0 or 5/0 hook. Please help, a chart would be very helpful. Thanks in advance and btw, I'm just trying to improve my game a little more, it's a simple thing but always confuses me.

[Packard]

The hook size isn't nearly as important as the type of hook. That being said I have use 6/0 hooks on 4 in senkos without missing many hooksets. I use the 6/0's on all of my worms. I have also used the Gama EWG 4/0 hooks on my worms and didn't see a difference. I think it is mostly personal preference but you don't want a 1/0 on a 10 in worm or anything

I would personally recommend a 3/0 or 4/0 for 3-6 in worms and 5/0 or 6/0 for 7-10 in worms. For craws and creatures I like a 2/0 to 4/0 hook depending on the size.

[North Ga Hillbilly]

I guess I go towards the small side of things. I usually go with a 1/0 or 2/0 in smaller plastics, and then a 5/0 in my really large plastics. I like to use EWG in most things, tho I like straight shank shaky heads. I feel that the thin wire hooks are easier to get set.

To each his own.

NGaHB

[LuckyHandsINC.]

When choosing a hook don't worry about the length of the bait. You should look at the girth of the bait and use a hook that has a big enough gap to allow it to penetrate all the way the body and leave enough room to get a good hooks.

[WRB]

Lots of factors to consider, it's not all that easy.

The basics; line size, worm or creature diameter where and how the hook placed.

Texas rigged;

5/16 diameter worm, average for most worms between 5" to 7"; 3/0 worm hook.

3/8 diameter worm, avaerage for 71/2" to 10" worms; 4/0 worm hook.

Owner 5103-141 or Gamakstsu 484 or equal, both are straight shank round bend worm hooks.

3/8 to 7/16 diameter creatures and Senko's; 5/0 to 6/0 EMG Gamakatsu #584 or equal.

Finesse split shot or slip shot rigged, skin hooked;

3 to 41/2" worms; size 2 Gamakatsu # 011 or Owner 5100.

5 to 6 1/2" worms; size 1/0 Gamakatsu #011 or Owner 5100

Nose hooked; size 1 Gamakatsu or Owner drop shot hook or weedless wide gap finesse hook.

Wacky rigged (O-ring) Gamakatsu or Owner size 2/0 wide gap weedless finesse hook.

There are so many variables, hope this helps.

Tom

[Marty]

When choosing a hook don't worry about the length of the bait. You should look at the girth of the bait and use a hook that has a big enough gap to allow it to penetrate all the way the body and leave enough room to get a good hooks.

That's the advice I always give. My guideline is for the hook's gap to be at least double the diameter of the plastic.

[RoLo]

The "girth" of a soft-plastic lure refers to its "circumference", but hook-size is determined by the "thickness" of the plastic.

For example, the cross-section of many soft-plastic lures is Rectangular, Oblong or Fish-shaped.

Before hook-size can be determined, you need to decide whether you're going to rig the lure

through the narrow thickness or through the wide thickness (normally I skewer the lesser thickness).

Additionally, many soft-plastic lures are equipped with a built-in hook-slot that has a direct bearing on proper hook-size.

Last but not least, monofilament lines require significantly larger hooks than non-stretch braid, because the elasticity

of mono provides little or no plastic compression (BTW: Nylon, Fluoro & Copolymer are ALL monofilament lines).

Roger

[Gatorbassman]

When choosing a hook don't worry about the length of the bait. You should look at the girth of the bait and use a hook that has a big enough gap to allow it to penetrate all the way the body and leave enough room to get a good hooks.

This is exactly how I choose a hook. I use the smallest hook possible so long is the worm isn't to thick for the gap. My Personal Best bass (9.98) came off of a 7 inch trickworm with a 1/0, thin wire, regular offset hook.

[eagles]

Lots of factors to consider, it's not all that easy.

The basics; line size, worm or creature diameter where and how the hook placed.

Texas rigged;

5/16 diameter worm, average for most worms between 5" to 7"; 3/0 worm hook.

3/8 diameter worm, avaerage for 71/2" to 10" worms; 4/0 worm hook.

Owner 5103-141 or Gamakstsu 484 or equal, both are straight shank round bend worm hooks.

3/8 to 7/16 diameter creatures and Senko's; 5/0 to 6/0 EMG Gamakatsu #584 or equal.

Finesse split shot or slip shot rigged, skin hooked;

3 to 41/2" worms; size 2 Gamakatsu # 011 or Owner 5100.

5 to 6 1/2" worms; size 1/0 Gamakatsu #011 or Owner 5100

Nose hooked; size 1 Gamakatsu or Owner drop shot hook or weedless wide gap finesse hook.

Wacky rigged (O-ring) Gamakatsu or Owner size 2/0 wide gap weedless finesse hook.

There are so many variables, hope this helps.

Tom

Wow thats pretty detailed, thanks and thanks to everyone else, really helped out a lot. I have been using 3/0 and 5/0 for pretty much everything and they work pretty well, I only use EWG hooks except for a jig.

[eagles]

The "girth" of a soft-plastic lure refers to its "circumference", but hook-size is determined by the "thickness" of the plastic.

For example, the cross-section of many soft-plastic lures is Rectangular, Oblong or Fish-shaped.

Before hook-size can be determined, you need to decide whether you're going to rig the lure

through the narrow thickness or through the wide thickness (normally I skewer the lesser thickness).

Additionally, many soft-plastic lures are equipped with a built-in hook-slot that has a direct bearing on proper hook-size.

Last but not least, monofilament lines require significantly larger hooks than non-stretch braid, because the elasticity

of mono provides little or no plastic compression (BTW: Nylon, Fluoro & Copolymer are ALL monofilament lines).

Roger

wow that helps alot. thanks. I'll be sure to review this and everyone else please excuse the double post

[breezy]

It really depends on the brand and style. I've always wondered why a 3/0 EWG, straight shank, RB offset, g-lock, etc are all different sizes...and some of the differences are huge. I generally like to use a 2/0 or 3/0 hook for trick worms and senkos.

Seems like I get better hookups with a offset round bend hook but recently a lot of the bass are hooked just barely in the gullet. I think since the hook is smaller than an EWG it may be easier to swallow or they may swallow it without noticing. Still looking for a good alternative; something in between a EWG and round bend. Have been using the Gama G-Locks for a week or two now with good success.