Big vs small hooks for clean removal

I've always assumed that larger hooks won't get swallowed as much as smaller hooks at the expense of some smaller fish lost) and are therefore better for fast catch and return. Is my logic flawed?

I always seem to end up struggling to get 4/0 hooks out of miniscule flatties!

Jonathan

jasus, thats a big hook size.. i used to use 3/0 but had the same problem, now i've changed to 1/0 and 2/0 and flatten the barbs with pliers..
a good disgorger is always useful..

you'ld be supprised what a smalll fishes mouth can swollow...

have to agree, ive evn cught small dabs in the last year on size 3/0 b940's on the boat and it was so far in the fishes mouth i really struggled to get it out!!! sometimes though if you do manage to hook the fish cleanly with the bigger hooks it maybe just nicely in the lip or similar and easy to remove thereas they may completely swallow a smaller hook more easily.
just do not know how some fish manage to get some of the bigger hooks in their mouths!!

johnathan, i think that's why us sea anglers are intrigued by our sport.With every cast it's a bit of a lottery you just don't know what will take your bait.However 4/0 hooks my goodness,get to know your venue and target species.Most tackle shops will give advice on what hooks to buy for a particuler venue.personaly for most occassions 1/0 2/0 will surrfice for most shore venues.i'm sure like me returning 99% of my catch is of the utmost importance


cheers Ben

[quote="bennymc"].i'm sure like me returning 99% of my catch is of the utmost importance


[/quote]

And that 1% just never really makes it back... too tasty...

However 4/0 hooks my goodness,get to know your venue and target species

Fishing ~20 years for bass in the same venues, I've found 2/0-4/0 best. :)
During the winter I move down a couple of sizes for the smaller species.

I never go above a 2/0. When you look at the difference in all 2/0 hooks eg Aberdeen and the 2/0 big mouth extra (BMX) you can really see the difference in the strength and gape of the hook. 8) Only in extremes do I go any bigger. I can honestly say the majority of my fishing it either with a size 1 or 1/0 and really have never had any bother with them and I dont think my catch rate has suffered. I use 1 of the gemini disgorgers to get the hooks out, they're really simple to use.

The only other thing to take into consideration is the size of bait you are using, although as said above, the different hooks can accomodate that view. :lol:

That's my view. It's like everything, different people have different views. It would be a boring place if they didn't! :)

Keep up the good work :D

Hi Lads
I think the circular hooks tend to get more fish hooked in the mouth. Maybe that may be more help than the actual size? Just a thought

true liam but the only problem with full circles is that they dont really suit worm baits, more for the likes of mackerel strip etc hooked once or twice through.

on the subject of deep hooked fish i find that i can usually pull the hook out throught he gill covers cut the line retie the hook and release the fish unharmed

on the subject of deep hooked fish i find that i can usually pull the hook out throught he gill covers cut the line retie the hook and release the fish unharmed

When you come out through the gills, you can turn the hook around and go back in through (the same gap) in the gills bend first and out through the mouth using a long pliers or similar. Saves cutting the snook.

those tekto semi circle hooks are reasonably good for worm baits , have a greart knife edge point and tend to hook in the scissors

Lads,

What exactly determines hook sizes? Who set the standard way back and based on what criteria?

The two critical things for me when picking hook sizes for species are the gape first and to a lesser degree the shank.

Surely the gape of the hook to a large degree determines whether or not a fish can get it in it's mouth. The gape on a size 2 aberdeen (Mustad 3261BLN) and a size 2 crab hook like a Mustad 496bb are widely different and this should be taken into consideration... I find hook sizes misleading in this regard.

Another interesting point is I know of anglers who also would not use long shank hooks such as aberdeen patterns for smaller fish (especially flats) theory being they have to get the entire length of the shank into their mouths whereas as with a short shank pattern it's easier for them to engulf the whole hook and results in more solid hookups.

Liam

Good point/question Liam. I've wondered the same about, as you say, aberdeens vs crab/big mouth hooks or bass hooks.

I've taken to selecting hook sizes/types by eye. Does it look right for the species, given its behaviour (bottom feeding, predatory, ...), typical fish size for the venue and the bait I want to put out.

Gut hooked fish are more a problem due to feeble bites from small fish or anglers not noticing bites. While boat fishing it would normally be a problem encountered at anchor when baits are stationary, as like shore angling. In fairness to a little dab they can be greedy little pigs and down a 6/0 if given enough time. While boat angling downtide, it is always a good idea to lift your trace off the bottom every few minutes. This is not possible when using a gripper. Obviously a bigger hook should lessen the chances of a gut hook just as striking the fish on time will. Braid main line will also help as bite detection will be better. All you can do is select a reasonable size hook for the fishing you are doing. Some gut hooked fish are inevitable. All you can do is try and limit the occurances.