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Choosing the right hook size doesn’t have be confusing if you don’t want it to be 😕
What do fishing boats look like from space? 🚤
Ever tried eating largemouth bass? Well, we found a guy who does. 🐟

How to Choose the Right Hook Size Every Time

Choosing the right hook size shouldn’t feel like cracking a secret code written by a committee of confused blacksmiths, but here we are. The good news? Once you understand how hook sizing actually works, picking the right one becomes simple and predictable.

Let’s break it down.

The Only Rule You Really Need to Know

Hooks get bigger as the number gets smaller…
…until they don’t.

Sizes run like this:

Small hooks: #32 (tiny) → #1 (big)
Then they switch to “aught” sizes (large): 1/0 → 10/0 → 20/0

If the system seems chaotic, that’s because it is. But once you see the pattern, it becomes much easier to work with.

Start With the Fish’s Mouth, Not the Lure

A lot of anglers size hooks based on whatever lure they’re using. That’s backward. Your primary question should be: How big is the fish’s mouth, and how much metal does it take to get a solid bite?

Here’s a simple, universal cheat sheet:

Trout & Panfish

Sizes #8–#14
Small mouths and light bites call for smaller hooks.
Use #8–#10 for worms and natural baits; #12–#14 for tiny nymphs and finesse presentations.

Bass (Largemouth & Smallmouth)

Sizes #1–4/0 depending on the lure.

Worm hooks: 2/0–4/0
Swimbaits and flukes: 3/0
As a general rule: if the hook overwhelms the plastic, size down.

Catfish

Sizes 3/0–8/0 circle hooks
Bigger mouths + heavier bait = larger hooks. Let the rod load and circle hooks will do their job.

Surf Species (Stripers, Halibut, Redfish)

Sizes 1/0–4/0
Match the hook gap to the thickness of your bait. If the bait fills the entire gap, go up a size.

Pro Tips:

Gap matters more than length. A wide gap increases hookup percentage more than a long shank ever will.
Err slightly bigger for live or chunky bait. You want enough gap showing to allow a clean hook point.
Err slightly smaller for finesse plastics. Especially in clear water where fish inspect closely.
Sharpen your hooks. A cheap sharpener turns budget hooks into premium ones.
When in doubt, size down one. A slightly smaller hook hides better, penetrates easier, and often hooks fish more cleanly than a bulky one.

🎣 IN THE FIELD

Washington is about to make fishing licenses digital with a new app launching in December that lets you keep everything on your phone instead of in a crumpled Ziploc bag. And come April 1, 2026, you’ll pick either digital or paper for the whole year - no switching sides, so choose wisely like you’re tying on your last lure.
New season of MeatEater incoming: