Thread: Hooks? What's your preference?

I was wondering what types of hooks are most common, or preferred, when pier fishing (i.e. treble hooks, circle hooks, straight hooks, etc.). This applies to either bottom fishing or under a popping cork.

I will hang up and listen..........

size 4 or 5 trebble is my favorite for kings. snobbling, free lining or under a cork

i like a number 2 treble hook (eagle claw). and 27-31 lb single strand wire leader. i like to snoblle which is working a dead bait to look like it is alive. that is my king setup. it will varie for diffrent species obviously....

Depends on what you are targeting of course. I like number 2 triple strong treble on 27 lb single strand wire for kings. I like a number 2 light wire mutu circle hook for pomps and whiting.

i use treble hook for kings trout flounder spanish and sometimes cobia if i have to, circle hooks for tarpon cobia (only using a live bait) and sometimes flounder if i have to. different size hooks depending on the fish of course

Mustad #2 3x strong hook in my opinion it beats all other hooks I've tried. malin wire 31 pound single strand i prefer single strand over all other types of wire. Spro power swivel- best swivels ever.

For kings, it depends on the size bait. If I am using a normal sized LY (alewife)/sardine, I use the Eagle Claw LazerSharp size 2 treble. I go down to a size 4 for smaller Ly for kings and those work perfect for live bait fishing for spanish. If I am using a large bait, such as a keychain spanish or hard tail, I'll tie on a 4/0 O'Shaughnessy hook. Of course, all of these are tied on a 31 lb. Malin single strand leader (about 18"). When fishing for sheepshead, I use a size 8 treble hook, Really small. They HAVE to be saltwater grade; if not, then the sheepies will bite right through them.

For Flounder/trout/redifsh (using live minnows/ shrimp), I will always use a 1/0 Kahle hook with an 18' Flouroleader on a carolina rig. I love the Kahle hook, i try to stick with gold finish. When I'm not using live bait, I'll use whatever hooks come on my artificials. I don't change those out.

Any other species , I'll tie on a Owner Mutu Light Circle Hook (size depending on fish of course). I love the light wire on that hook, very strong and very sharp point. Great for surf fishing for pompano and anything else that'll hit. If I'm bottom fishing, that's all I use. You don't have to set the hook with circle hooks, you just start reeling.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP: Match your hook size to the size of your bait. If the fish can eat that large of a bait, don't skimp out on the hook. If its a large shrimp, I will use a slightly larger hook, compared to if I was using pieces of ghost shrimp or something. If its a large bait, use a larger hook. Don't go overboard and try to get hooks that have a good finish so they don't rust.

I only use Owner and Mustad. Types and sizes depend on what I'm after. IMO these are the sharpest and strongest hooks out there. Trokars are ridiculously sharp but dull fast, not worth the price and not as strong.

kings- owner 3x trebles
Mustad 3x ultra point
spanish- same just smaller sizes


flounder/everything else- Owner SSW cutting point size 1/0

For kings, I use a 4x size 4 eagle claw treble, Malin 31lb single strand wire, and a small billfisher swivel. For Spanish, I switch to a size 6 hook.

Originally Posted by stephen.franklin

For kings, it depends on the size bait. If I am using a normal sized LY (alewife)/sardine, I use the Eagle Claw LazerSharp size 2 treble. I go down to a size 4 for smaller Ly for kings and those work perfect for live bait fishing for spanish. If I am using a large bait, such as a keychain spanish or hard tail, I'll tie on a 4/0 O'Shaughnessy hook. Of course, all of these are tied on a 31 lb. Malin single strand leader (about 18"). When fishing for sheepshead, I use a size 8 treble hook, Really small. They HAVE to be saltwater grade; if not, then the sheepies will bite right through them.

For Flounder/trout/redifsh (using live minnows/ shrimp), I will always use a 1/0 Kahle hook with an 18' Flouroleader on a carolina rig. I love the Kahle hook, i try to stick with gold finish. When I'm not using live bait, I'll use whatever hooks come on my artificials. I don't change those out.

Any other species , I'll tie on a Owner Mutu Light Circle Hook (size depending on fish of course). I love the light wire on that hook, very strong and very sharp point. Great for surf fishing for pompano and anything else that'll hit. If I'm bottom fishing, that's all I use. You don't have to set the hook with circle hooks, you just start reeling.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP: Match your hook size to the size of your bait. If the fish can eat that large of a bait, don't skimp out on the hook. If its a large shrimp, I will use a slightly larger hook, compared to if I was using pieces of ghost shrimp or something. If its a large bait, use a larger hook. Don't go overboard and try to get hooks that have a good finish so they don't rust.

Good advice there.

Hook quality and shape are more important than size. I have caught some pretty decent sized fish on hooks most would consider too small and can never recall losing a fish because a hook was too small. I have missed a few because my hook was too big though.