When it comes to terminal tackle, fishing hooks are a vital component required to successfully capture a fish. But hooking your next catch is more than simply having a sharp stainless steel point to hand; in fact, your ability to snare a prize freshwater or saltwater creature can be determined significantly by the type of hook that's tied to the end of your fishing line.
From reeling in too quickly, to fishing at the wrong depth, to even using an old, dull or incorrect fishing hook; these common mistakes can impact the quality and success of most angling adventures starting out. However, getting the right fishing hook and knowing your way around this time-honoured piece of tackle is one of the easier steps you can take to come back home with a catch or two in hand.
The humble fishing hook is around 11,000 years old - with early incarnations sharpened from small sea shell pieces. Nowadays fishing hook has evolved into a sophisticated, chemically sharpened and incredibly robust and sharp tool for snare a fish and keep it securely hooked until you reel it in.
In our latest blog, Tidal Drift Fishing will give you our beginner's guide to fishing hooks, helping to expand your knowledge and improve your fishing catching odds if you're just starting out.
What Are The Most Common Fishing Hooks?
There are many different selling points, key features and benefits that fishing hook brands emphasise in an aim to stand out from the rest, but the most vital feature of a fishing hook is size.
Fundamentally, if your hook is too small a larger fish could swallow it completely and if your hook is too big, the fish won't be able to fit it in its mouth. It's also important to note that 'deep hooking' - penetrating the throat, gills, stomach and other vital organs - can cause the fish more distressing and traumatic injury, which is to be avoided in general, and if you're practising catch and release.
If you can't track down a multi-pack of different sized hooks to start with, we'll guide you through the basics of fish hook sizes...
How Do I Know What Fishing Hook Size To Get?
Fishing hook sizing may seem complicated to novice anglers, but all you need to know is that hook sizes can range from: #30 (very small) all the way up to 20/0 (very large) to cater for all the various sizes of fish. You have a scale that accommodates freshwater fish: from #30 - #1 (the smaller the number on the scale, the larger the freshwater hook size). The scale then switches after #1 to 1/0 - 12/0 to accommodate the larger types of fish typically found in sea fishing scenarios (these hooks increase in size as you go up the seawater hook scale).
The smallest freshwater hooks can catch everything from miniature species such as shiners all the way up to up to sole and pouting. Whereas sea fishing hooks will be used to capture plaice, bass and pollock, all the way up to large eels and even certain shark species.
The Anatomy Of A Fishing Hook
Eye: The loop used to pass your line through, helping you securely tie your fishing hook ready for casting. Eye designs can range from looped, ringed, tapered and needle.
Shank: Is the length of the hook between the eye and the bend. Snell fishing knots tie to part of the shank to create a secure and reliable fastening.
Point: The significant 'point' of contact between the mouth of the fish and the hook. The best points need to be exceptionally sharp to achieve the best results.
Gap: The gap or the gape is the distance between the point and the shank. A wider gap will be more suited to large baits and will also be more effective at hooking and holding a fish.
Barb: Some fishing hooks are made with different barb designs such as needle, spear, hollow, knife edge or rolled in points to keep your fish securely hooked in one position once it bites down.
Throat: The part of the fishing hook that will pierce the fish, measured from the tip of the point to the deepest part of the bend.
Bend: The curved section of the fishing hook that bends in from the shank and up through the throat.
What Are Treble Fishing Hooks Used For?
Identified by their 3-hook configuration that stems from one single, thick and extra strong shank, treble hooks are ideal for both fresh and seawater fishing in weedless, open water settings. Trebles are used on casting and trolling lures, swimbaits, crankbaits, metal jigs and metal spoon lures as well as some selected uncommon bait rigs. Our Cox & Rawle Extremely Sharp Treble Fishing Hook comes with microbarbs, round eyes, a corrosion resistant black nickel finish and a range of different sizes to choose from.
