Walk into any tackle shop, and you will be faced with dozens, if not hundreds, of different hooks for sea fishing. Fishing hooks vary in design, size, and even color. This can be overwhelming for a novice angler wanting to get into saltwater fishing. The best approach is to start with a single type and size hook and experiment to see what works best for you.
Circle hooks are arguably the best type of hook to use for sea fishing. You can use it with live or cut bait, and the shape of the hook avoids deep gut or throat hooking, increasing the survival rate of released fish. Still, the hook type and the size will depend on the fish you are targeting.
From a conservation point of view, circle hooks are great, but they are not the only hooks appropriate for sea fishing.
What Are Circles, Beaks, and J-Hooks?
You need to know the three main hooks: circle, beak, and J-hooks.
Circle Hooks
A circle hook, also known as a long-line or recurved hook, is a popular option in commercial fishing and is suitable for children and novice anglers. This fishing hook type has a circular shape and a pointed end that curves inward.
Unlike more traditional hooks, like J-hooks, circle hooks are virtually ‘self-hooking,’ designed to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth rather than in the gut or throat. The circle hook’s design helps reduce the chances of gut-hooking, making it possible to release the fish unharmed.
Circle hooks are commonly used in saltwater fishing when using live and cut bait and are especially popular for catching large fish species such as
- Tarpon
- Sailfish
- Bream
- Flathead
- Kingfish
- Marlin.
They are also used in freshwater fishing for catfish and other species. In some US states (e.g., Florida), using circle hooks is required by law to protect fish species.
Beak Hooks
A beak hook, also known as a suicide or octopus hook, has a long, straight shank and a sharp, curved point resembling a bird’s beak. These hooks are available in different sizes and strengths, depending on the size of the fish you are aiming to catch.
The beak hooks’ design allows them to penetrate a fish’s tough mouth tissue and hold the fish securely while reeling it in. Beak hooks are often used with live bait or artificial lures that mimic the swimming motion of smaller fish.
Beak hooks are mainly used to catch larger saltwater fish species but can also work on smaller fish. Some examples of fish to see with a beak hook are:
⦁ Marlin
⦁ Yellow tuna
⦁ Kingfish
⦁ Shark
⦁ Snapper
⦁ John Dory
⦁ Pearl Perch
⦁ Billfish
J-Hooks
J-hooks are fishing hooks shaped like the letter “J” and can be bought with or without a barb. These are the most common fishing hook types based on their versatility, enabling you to catch various fish species. Aggressive gamefish you can catch with a J-hook include
⦁ Mahi Mahi
⦁ Tuna
⦁ Marlin
⦁ Wahoo
Or fish that have tiny mouths, like
⦁ Winter flounder
⦁ Tautog
J-hooks work by impaling the bait or lure so that the hook penetrates the mouth when a fish bites and sets into the fish’s flesh. However, J-hooks can sometimes result in gut-hooking, which means the theme is swallowed by the fish, making it difficult to remove and potentially causing severe injury or death to the fish.
Can I Use Freshwater Hooks In Saltwater?
The simple answer is yes, you can use freshwater hooks in salt water, but the result will not be optimal.
Although there is a general move towards nickel-plated hooks for conservation reasons, many freshwater hooks are still manufactured using stainless steel, high-carbon steel, and other alloy materials. Yet, they are not required to have a corrosion-resistant coating.
Hooks designed explicitly for saltwater contain a corrosion-resistant coating, like Permasteel® from VMC or Ultra-Antirust from BKK. Your freshwater hooks will thus not last as long if used in salt water.
If you are using freshwater hooks while sea fishing, rinse your hooks off with distilled, fresh water when you are done and let the hooks dry out. Then spray it with WD-40 to give them a longer lifespan.
Concerning size, freshwater hooks are generally considered to be smaller than saltwater hooks. Therefore, it would be unsuitable to use while sea fishing if you aim to catch more prominent, more aggressive species, which requires a more extensive and robust hook.
Which Sea Fishing Hook To Use
Choosing the right fishing hook for sea fishing depends on the type and size of fish you want to catch and the bait you use.
Size
Hooks come in different sizes ranging from small (e.g., size 20) to large (e.g., size 10/0). The hook size you choose depends on the size of the fish you want to catch, with the simple rule of thumb being: the larger the fish, the bigger the hook, and vice versa.
For example, if you aim to catch a small fish, like mackerel, use a hook size 6-10. For more sizeable fish, like cod or halibut, use a hook size 4/0 or more.
Shape
There are different-shaped hooks, such as circles, beaks, treble, and J-hooks.
If unsure, opt for J-shaped hooks, as they are versatile and can be used for catching various fish species.
Circle hooks are popular for catch-and-release fishing as they are less likely to harm the fish. If you target larger and stronger fish, choose the beak hook.
Treble hooks are used for lures or if you are aiming to catch multiple fish simultaneously.
Material
Stainless steel hooks are the most rust-resistant and, thus, the best sea fishing option. However, high-carbon steel hooks are more robust than stainless steel hooks yet more prone to rusting. It, therefore, depends on your catch. Following a thorough cleaning regimen afterward to treat your hooks will also keep your hooks in good shape for longer.
Nowadays, there is also a focus on nickel-plated hooks. These hooks rust quickly, which means they will disintegrate if stuck inside a fish that has returned to the ocean. In contrast, stainless steel will remain intact, killing the fish. It is thus better to opt for nickel-plated hooks for conservation.
Bait
If you use bait like shrimp, sand crabs, or small baitfish that are still alive when placed on the hook, then you need to use a small hook to avoid killing the bait. In contrast, if you use cut bait, like pieces of herring, eel, or squid, you should use a larger hook to keep the bait on the hook.
Are Saltwater Hooks Different Than Freshwater Hooks?
Although there are some overlaps in design and materials used, saltwater hooks generally differ from freshwater hooks in corrosion resistance, strength, and size.
Corrosion resistance
Saltwater corrodes regular hooks, making them brittle and ineffective. Saltwater hooks are, therefore, made of materials resistant to corrosion, such as stainless steel or specially coated metal. Some freshwater hooks are also made from stainless steel but do not contain a corrosion-resistant coating.
Strength
Saltwater fish are typically sizeable and more aggressive than freshwater fish. Saltwater hooks are thus made with more robust materials, like vanadium steel, and last much longer. These hooks are also thicker and have a heavier gauge than freshwater hooks.
Size
Saltwater fish tend to be larger than freshwater fish, so saltwater hooks are usually larger to accommodate the size of the targeted fish. Although not a hard-and-fast rule, many fishermen consider a size 8 – 1 hook, for example, more suitable for freshwater fishing. While a hook between 1/0 – 9/0 is more suited to saltwater fishing.
What Are The Sizes Of Sea Fishing Hooks?
Sea fishing hooks come in various sizes, with the hook size determined by the distance between the hook point and the shank and the width of the hook gap. These are the specific size categories:
⦁ Small: size numbers 32 to 1
⦁ Large: size numbers 1/0 to 19/0
Although the smallest hook size is 32 and the largest is approximately 19/0, the most common hook sizes are between 10 and 10/0. Note that sizing might differ depending on the hook, information source, brand, and manufacturing country. Here is an approximate size chart:
| Hook size | Length (inches) | Width (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.6 | 0.24 |
| 8 | 0.6 | 0.24 |
| 6 | 0.65 | 0.32 |
| 4 | 0.7 | 0.45 |
| 2 | 0.8 | 0.55 |
| 1 | 0.95 | 0.6 |
| 1/0 | 1.02 | 0.68 |
| 2/0 | 1.06 | 0.74 |
| 3/0 | 1.22 | 0.86 |
| 4/0 | 1.29 | 0.9 |
| 5/0 | 1.37 | 0.94 |
| 6/0 | 1.53 | 1.06 |
| 7/0 | 1.65 | 1.18 |
| 8/0 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| 9/0 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 10/0 | 2.3 | 1.6 |
What Size Hook Is Best For Deep Sea Fishing?
The best hook size for deep-sea fishing depends on your target fish species, the bait or lure, and the fishing conditions (e.g., water clarity, depth, and currents).
Generally, larger hooks are more effective for catching larger fish species in deep waters. For example, catching marlin or swordfish, you should use a hook size of 9/0 or more. Hooks size 5/0 to 7/0 can be used to catch tuna or kingfish. For slightly smaller fish, like snapper or grouper, a hook size 2/0 to 0/4 is more appropriate.
What Size Hook Is Best For Saltwater Pier Fishing?
The best hook size for saltwater pier fishing depends on the species of fish you are targeting, the type of bait or lure, and the fishing conditions.
Generally, it would be best to have various hook sizes for different baits and situations for pier fishing.
Pier fishing in areas like the Florida coast and the region between Alabama to Texas will offer redfish, flounder, pompano, and speckled trout. You may also catch a cobia, king mackerel, or tarpon. In Louisiana, whiting, croaker, and sand trout are more common.
Once you have decided on a specific area and pier, you can choose your size hook based on the fish species you are targeting and the size of your bait.
For most baits you will use, sizes 4 to 2/0 will work. For example, hooks between 1/0 and 4/0 will catch baitfish, croaker, or sheepshead well. Hooks that are 5/0-7/0 will be more appropriate for catching slightly bigger fish, like grouper or redfish. Opt for a hook size of 8/0 upwards for larger fish, like tarpon.
What Size Hook Is Best For Beach Fishing?
The hook size most appropriate for beach fishing will depend on the fish you target and, as a result, the size of the bait you need to hook.
Examples of game fish you can catch from the beach in the US include striped bass, bluefish, spotted seatrout, flounder, red drum, or pompano.
A hook size of 6-10 is appropriate for smaller fish like panfish. For medium-size fish, like a spotted sea trout, use 2/0-4/0 hook size. Bigger fish, like striped bass, require a hook size of 7/0 or 8/0 instead since your bait will be more substantial.
What Size Hook Is Best For Catching Sea Bass?
The hook size you should use for catching fish will depend on the size of the species you are targeting. Typically, sea bass is a medium-sized fish, so a hook size of 1–4/0 would be appropriate. Still, you also have to consider the size of your bait and the depth and location of your fishing environment.
If fishing in deeper waters or using larger bait, you may need a larger hook size (size 3/0-4/0). On the other hand, if you are fishing in shallower waters or using smaller bait, a smaller hook size may be more effective (1-2/0).
What Size Hook Is Best For Catching Cod?
When it comes to catching cod, it is essential to use a large hook to hold the bait and hook the fish properly. Typically, cod are large fish, so a hook size of 1/0 to 6/0 would be appropriate.
If in doubt, start with a 3/0 and assess your experience. You might have to go smaller if, for example, you are using clams or shrimp as bait. If fishing for giant cod, you can go up to 0/5 or even 0/6. Cod is known to be aggressive feeders. The latter will be especially effective using larger baits, such as whole herring, mackerel, or squid.
Remember to use a circle hook for catching cod, as it helps to minimize injury to the fish and can help to improve hook-up rates.
What Size Hook Is Best For Catching Salmon?
When it comes to catching salmon, the size of the hook you should use will depend on the species of salmon you are targeting, the size of the fish, and the type of fishing technique you are using.
For Chinook, also known as King salmon, a hook size of 2/0 to 5/0 is appropriate to hold the larger bait you need. For smaller salmon, like Coho or Steelhead, use a hook size of 1/0 to 3/0 instead, which you can catch with worms, for example. For Pink salmon, you will need an even smaller hook size of 6-10.
It is also essential to consider the fishing technique you are using. If you use a bobber and bait setup, consider using a larger hook size to ensure the hook is securely embedded in the bait. If you are using a fly-fishing format, consider using a smaller hook size to match the size of the fly.
If you are river fishing, you must check local state regulations regarding the permitted size hook for catching salmon and other fish species. For instance, in Oregon, single-point hooks with a gap wider than 1 inch and multiple hooks with larger than 9/16-inch gaps are not allowed.
Conclusion
The best hooks for sea fishing will depend on several factors, such as the type of fish you aim to catch, the size of your bait, and the fishing environment and location (e.g., from a pier, beach, etc.). The best solution is to take multiple sizes and design hooks with you and experiment with them to see which works best.