Fishing Hooks

Fishing hooks come in a wide variety of sizes, makes and colors. Unlike ancient hooks, which were made of bone or wood, contemporary fish hooks are made of steel with a bronze or nickel-plated finish, and are generally more sophisticated due to human learning based on the differentiation of fish species, their behavior, eating habits and oral structures.

Fishing hook types range from the angle of the shank to the shape of the bend to even the stretch of the gap. Among the types are the Kirby, O’Shaughnessy, Aberdeen, Limerick, Carlisle, Cam-Action, Sneak, Sproat and Beak Point. Of these, the Aberdeen style would be considered the “normal” fish hook due to its perfectly semi-circular bend and barb. The Sneak, however, is the same, only that its bend is more squared off and even. Specialty hooks, which include the less-common barbless fish hooks, are used for unique environments, unique situations and particular types and sizes of fish. The wide gap, Pike and Toma Circle are broad in shape and intended for fish having wide maws. Double hooks and Trebles work this way as well or to snag more than one fish on the same line. Fly fishing hooks are likely smaller due to typically smaller game, such as Halibut, Salmon (although some Salmon grow to be considerable size), Pike, Carp, Rainbow Trout, Perch, Minnow, and Bass. Fishing hooks like the Kirby, Aberdeen, Sneak, Limerick or Carlisle would be employed because of their narrowness in structure, which can make snagging easier with smaller fish, as long as the anglers tying fishing hooks to their lines make sure the hooks are secure.

As for size, any fishing hook chart provides the comparison between the larger, ranging from 5/0 to 1/0, to the very tiny, which are numbered 1 through 13 or 14, with the latter being absolute smallest. A fish hook chart not only shows the wide variation between fishing hook size, but also allows anglers to determine which size to use in certain situations.

Sometimes fish may swallow hooks. Most fish hooks, however, can easily be extracted with a fish hook remover, similar to a pair of needle-pronged pliers that either pull the hooks out in one piece or snip them in two, if necessary, to pull out each piece separately.

Popular fishing hook manufacturers, such as Mustad, one of the largest, and Eagle Claw Fishing Hooks offer many of these types and sizes for every conceivable fishing need. Pequea fishing hooks are well-known, too, although the company, which had its heyday during the 1940s and 50s, went out of business in 1987. Such manufacturers can easily make fishing hooks through the use of a fish hook machine that can be adjusted to accommodate several shapes and sizes.

The wide assortment of fish hooks available on the market ensures that fishing stays fun and easy, and that many species are sure to catch.