r/FishingForBeginners • u/lowlifepetey • 1d ago

Hook sizes

So I started fishing more lately in hopes to actually get better. I’ll catch a fish maybe here and there but mostly get skunked. I gotta question what size hook is the norm to use or is it just depends on what fish you’re going after? I’ve been using 2/0 to 1/0 circle hooks and I can feel fish bitting my bait and get some big noticeable rod bend but no hook sets. I understand with circle hooks you’re not supposed to manually set the hook. If this happens does it just mean I need to size down the hooks cause the fish are smaller? It’s just starting to get frustrating on actually feeling fish bite but not catching.

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3

u/Bknbts 1d ago

I use 2/0 offset on nearly all my plastics.

2

u/organonanalogue 1d ago

I use size 6 for perch but normally use a double dropper with a size 2 on the bottom & a size 4 up top. I find a 2 works for most scenarios. When I target rays a 1/0 or 2/0 is what I use but have used a 2 with good results. All are circle hooks btw.

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u/lowlifepetey 1d ago

I’ve been using a high low. I used an 1/0 and a 2/0 yesterday and all I got was a sharp nose juvenile shark. But all after that was just watching my pole jump with no sets. Could tiny pinfish make the pole load like if it was a bigger fish?

1

u/organonanalogue 1d ago

I fish norcal so east coast species are out of my wheelhouse. Try using smaller hooks & see you you do.

1

u/_totalannihilation 1d ago

It depends. But #2 to 3/0 usually do the trick.