Tip of the Day: Use Big Hooks for Big Fish

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February 11, 2009

Tip of the Day: Use Big Hooks for Big Fish

By Jerome B. Robinson

When baitfishing, select the largest-sized hook that you can hide in the bait. If a fish gets the bait into its mouth, any hook hidden within will be taken, too. Larger hooks have a wider gap and reach out to hook more fish. Small hooks are for small baits—and small fish. --Jerome B. Robinson

Comments (8)

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from dwaynez wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

I try to match the hook size to the bait size, usually if I am catfishing I will use a larger hook with live shad or perch for the big cats.

It just does not work to put a small hook into a very large bait, the bait obstructs the hookset and you lose too many fish, as mentioned above the wider gap on the hook will allow you to get more hooksets.

Also people underestimate how far fish can open their mouths when they are feeding.

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from cwolf5 wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

I agree.... Its one of the first things you should know as a fisherman.

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from Jim in Mo wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

After having good success at the end of last summer using a tad larger hook I have decided this year I'm moving up a size for my catfish rigs. Gonna need more bait though.

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from Charley wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

Matching the hook is important, but you have to remember that a hook that is too big will not hook any fish.

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from kolbster wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

i always use a bigger hook for a bigger fish.

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from Jim in Mo wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

Charley, that's the problem. What is down there according to your presentation?

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from monty wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

you're forgetting about carp fishing (and no, they are not trash fish)...we use small to very small hooks and catch big fish. remember, a middling size carp will be 8-10 pounds. these hooks are used as a "hair rig" or with bait, usually sweet corn, placed directly on the hook.

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 3 years 11 weeks ago

This is a simple theory that most men can grasp. It is so true though. I can not count the number of times where I have been fishing and see a buddy with a hook fit for some baitfish when we go catfishing or bassfishing.

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from dwaynez wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

I try to match the hook size to the bait size, usually if I am catfishing I will use a larger hook with live shad or perch for the big cats.

Also people underestimate how far fish can open their mouths when they are feeding.

+4 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from cwolf5 wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

I agree.... Its one of the first things you should know as a fisherman.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Charley wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

Matching the hook is important, but you have to remember that a hook that is too big will not hook any fish.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from kolbster wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

i always use a bigger hook for a bigger fish.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from monty wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jim in Mo wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

After having good success at the end of last summer using a tad larger hook I have decided this year I'm moving up a size for my catfish rigs. Gonna need more bait though.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jim in Mo wrote 3 years 14 weeks ago

Charley, that's the problem. What is down there according to your presentation?

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 3 years 11 weeks ago

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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