Settle an argument between me and a buddy. For most "normal" plastics you'd flip or pitch if you could only pick one hook size I said 4/0 and he is saying 5/0. Again, if you only could pick one which would you go with?

Uhhh! I dislike these types of discussions!

 

Normal, universal, best, aint no such thing!

 

But if I gotta, straight shank or EWG, me I'd choose 4/0 under protest!

Universal doesn’t exist. A simple hook size change can mean the difference between a winning limit or not catching fish... with that said both of them are too big to be universal. 3/0 is a more “universal” size as it can probably fit in smaller fish mouth easier. And being thinner, it can peg better than a thicker, larger hook. 

4/0 if I had to pick one size

5 hours ago, Catt said:

Uhhh! I dislike these types of discussions!

 

Normal, universal, best, aint no such thing!

 

But if I gotta, straight shank or EWG, me I'd choose 4/0 under protest!

same here.........

If I could only pick one it would be a 3/0. Anything bigger will be too big for one of my favorite baits...the Yamamoto Flappin' Hog in 3.75" size. Yet it's still big enough to handle larger baits.

Here agian is a question based on subjectivity. Without a standard to gage hook size all we can decipher is a 5/0 is 1 size larger then. 4/0 hook from the same mfr and hook style. Is the choice between a jig or punch rig? Is a beaver soft plastic normal?

Tom

2 minutes ago, WRB said:

Here agian is a question based on subjectivity. Without a standard to gage hook size all we can decipher is a 5/0 is 1 size larger then. 4/0 hook from the same mfr and hook style. Is the choice between a jig or punch rig? Is a beaver soft plastic normal?

Tom

This all started because he found a sale on Owner Jungle flipping hooks and wanted to try them. He asked my opinion on if he wanted to buy only one size (he's cheap) which to go with and try.

Depends on th size of the bait. For your average size creature baits I say 3/0 flippin hook. I found out the hard way during a tournament once. Kept missing fish that should have been hooked. Dropped to a 3/0 and hooked and landed every fish and yes on the same bait

I use 4/0 owner flipping hooks for most of my soft plastics in heavy cover. Menace, rage craw, magnum bug, senko, I would say it is most versatile

To the original poster, the first step is to chastise and mock your buddy. "What, you're so cheap you can only afford one size of hook?,  So afraid of making a poor purchase you're got to take a poll prior to purchase?  What up with that?  Are you contending with Ned Kehde for some frugality prize?"

 

Kept in the packages, and dry, extra hooks never wear out, why not have extras?  If I came across some on sale hooks that I thought might help/wanted to try, I'd buy a couple of packages of each size.

If I was gonna say universal for the masses I'd say 4/0. If I could only have one it would be 5/0.

I see the Owner Jungle Flipping hook size 4/0 is back ordered at TW  until June 10th, that may indicate it's more popular then 5/0. 

Tom

Yeah I see that too and that kind of lead me to that conclusion. I saw the Owner Cover Shot hook too. What situations would I want these vs the Jungle model? I have a 7'3" Dobyns Mag Heavy that I am running 55# straight 832 braid on. I am looking for something I can flip and pitch light to medium cover if it helps.

You should be choosing your bait first, then pairing it with the appropriate size hook. 

Like others said, depends on the size of the bait I'm throwing. To put a vote towards your debate, more times than not, I'm using a 4/0. Beaver style baits I'm using a 3/0, and less commonly a 5/0 due to my personal bait selection tendencies.