There are essential items to have when going fishing, but none more important than having a hook. Fishing hooks come in a wide range of sizes and also come in a variety of types. The average angler may be a bit perplexed when it comes to selecting the appropriate hook for their fishing trip, but fortunately selecting a hook is a not a science. Here are some important things to consider when selecting a hook for your next fishing trip.

The size hook you use will be dictated by the type of fish you are angling for. Things like the type of bait you are using, fishing line size, and even the terrain you are fishing in can require different types of hooks and sizes. The smaller the fish you are fishing for, then the smaller the hook that is used. You want the fish to be able to take the bait without having to struggle for it. There are barbed hooks and barbless hooks. The barbless hook is used when fishing "catch and release". This way the barb does not further damage the fish. Weedless hooks would be used when fishing in grassy areas. Long shank hooks are used for certain types of bait.

What can be a struggle for the beginning fishermen are the numbers that are used to indicate the hook size. A number 32 is the smallest size, while a number 19/0 is the largest. What happens when a hook size grows larger past number 1, then a zero or "aught" is added. Thus a 4/0 would be pronounced "four aught". The range of hook sizes from smallest to largest are 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 11, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, 9/0, 10/0, 11/0, 12/0, 13/0, 14/0, 15/0, 16/0, 17/0, 18/0, and 19/0.

Recommendations for hooks sizes, based upon what you are fishing for would be 18 to 8 for Trout, 12 to 8 for Bluegill, 10 to 8 for Suckers, 8 to 4 for Crappie, 4 for Yellow Perch, 4 to 1 for Carp, 6 to 1 for Bullheads, 4 to 1/0 for Channel Catfish, 4 to 1 for Smallmouth Bass, 4 to 3/0 for Largemouth Bass, 2/0 to 5/0 for Walleye, 2/0 to 7/0 for Northern Pike, and 6/0 to 8/0 for Muskellunge.

Having the best fishing rod and reel will not help you if you are using a hook that is to big or to small. Keep a good supply of hooks with you, so that you may change up if you feel like switching what you are fishing for. Also you may find the size fish being caught are different than what you expected. Keep in mind too that certain fish species have larger mouths than other fish the same size.

What it all boils down to is that having an understanding of hooks can help you be prepared for what ever fishing you will be doing. A basic understanding of hook sizes cannot only lessen your frustration, but can help you increase your catch.