How To Choose The Right Size Circle Hook (For Live vs Dead vs Cut Bait)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
Here are a couple of questions I get asked all the time…
What size circle hook should I use for shrimp?
What size circle hook should I use for cut mullet?
How about for pinfish?
If you’ve ever asked yourself these same questions, you’re in the right place!
In this video, I’m going to break down what size circle hook you should use for each type of bait, and some general guidelines to help you understand more about pairing circle hooks with live, cut or dead bait.
Let’s dive in!
Choosing The Right Size Circle Hook [VIDEO]
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First, I’ll break down how to choose the right size circle hook for each type of bait, then I’ll go into more detail about circle hook sizes in general.
Choosing The Right Size Circle Hook For Live Bait
Here are the two biggest things to remember when it comes to choosing circle hooks for live bait:
- You want the hook to allow the bait to act as natural as possible
- You don’t want the hook to kill your baitfish
Both of these points lead to an obvious answer: you want to choose a smaller circle hook when using live bait.
For shrimp, I like to use a #1 or #2 circle hook.
For smaller baitfish, like a threadfin or finger mullet, I like to use a #2, #1, or 1/0 circle hook.
For larger, tougher baitfish, like big pinfish or croakers, I’ll go with a 3/0 to 5/0 circle hook.
No matter what bait you’re using, it’s important to match the size of the hook with the size of the bait.
And here’s another tip: use thin wire hooks.
This reduces the weight of the hook and will increase the chance of the fish acting natural and you not killing it.
Now you might be thinking these hooks are too small to catch big fish, but you’d be surprised at how big of fish you can catch with smaller hooks.
Plus, if you kill the baitfish, or if it doesn’t act natural, you probably won’t get a bite anyway so it doesn’t matter if the hook can handle it or not.
Choosing The Right Size Circle Hook For Cut & Dead Bait
Unlike with like bait, for these two types of baits, you’re not worried about needing the bait to act natural because you’re looking to attract predator fish based on scent, not liveliness.
The big key when choosing circle hooks for these types of baits is that you need a big enough hook to go through the meat of the bait and get a good hookset.
If the hook is too small, it will be harder to get a good hookset.
When using dead or cut bait, I usually go with a 4/0 to 6/0 circle hook, depending on the size of the bait.
To learn more about using cut bait to catch bull redfish, check out this article.
Circle Hook Sizes
Here’s a graphic to clear up any confusion about the size of fishing hooks.
For the “ought” sizes (1/0, 2/0, etc), the bigger the number, the bigger the hook.
For example, a 4/0 hook is bigger than a 1/0 hook.
The opposite is true for the numbered sizes.
The bigger the number, the smaller the hook.
For example, a #1 hook is bigger than a #4 hook.
Conclusion
For all types of baits, remember to match the size of the hook with the size of the bait.
When using live bait, your main concerns are making sure you don’t kill the bait and that it can act natural.
Therefore, you want to use smaller hooks.
For dead and cut bait, your main concerns are that the hook can get through the meat of the bait and that you get a good hook set.
Therefore, hooks for these types of baits will be bigger.
The redfish above was caught on a chunk of blue crab with a 4/0 circle hook.
Have any questions about choosing the right size circle hook for live, dead or cut bait?
Let me know in the comments below!
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For flounder do you like to use a circle or kale hook? Thanks
Hey Chad!
I’ve honestly never used khale hooks for flounder or circle hooks. Have always used regular J hooks without any issues.
In addition to varying sizes, their are a large variation in circle hook design. Round, round with a flat bottom, etc. Do you have a preference/recommendation?
Good point!
I haven’t seen much of a difference in performance aside from inline vs. offset circle hooks. Offset circle hooks have more of a tendency to gut-hook fish due to the hook point being offset (allows the hook point to catch wherever it touches, compared to a true inline circle hook). At that point you might as well use j-hooks if using offset circle hooks. I prefer true inline circle hooks.
Is it possible to use circle hooks with bobbers?
For sure!
You just have to remember not to yank back and set the hook when you see the strike like you would if using a j-hook. Wait until you feel the weight of the fish and then give sold pressure on it to make sure the hook is set.
Great article!! I’m heading down the grand isle Louisiana end of March with my family. We are planing on hitting the fishing piers and shore line. I now have a much better idea on what to bring with us. It’s very similar to how we fish on the Mississippi River here in Wisconsin. Thanks for the info.
My pleasure Sidney! Thank you for the great feedback and good luck out there!
You have talked about different manufacture hook sizes are different. How about putting together a video comparing the sizes of 2/0 size hooks from each of the main manufactures.
Thank you for the request Richard! We can definitely add that to the list!
Awesome article. I’ve been fishing inshore for 20 years and never gave hooks that much thought. I appreciate the insight.
Glad you enjoyed the article Steven! Thank you for the great feedback!
Thanks for the tips!!!!!!!!!!!
Anytime Eric!
How do like to hook live shrimp? Thanks
Hey Ed!
Here are a few videos we have on rigging live shrimp:
https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/how-to-catch-fish-with-live-shrimp-in-shallow-water/
https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/how-to-hook-shrimp/
https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/texas-rig-weedless-shrimp/
Is there a video showing how to tie hooks to line? Or how to do leaders, and attach those to a line? Do you use swivels?
Hey Michael!
Everything you should need is found at this link here on knots:
https://www.saltstrong.com/article_categories/fishing-knots/
Hey tony, I’m picking up #2,#1,1/0 owner mutu light circle hooks for shrimp finger mullet etc, and 3/0,5/0 hybrid mutu circle hooks. Do you think that variety it a good choice for the various applications of live bait/some cut bait
Hey Abraham,
You should be set with those choices!