Just curious as to what size hook my fellow anglers use when fishing for bass. I like using 4/EWG hooks but notice that when I do, the bass tend to bleed more frequently. I'm wondering if going down to s 3/EWG would be better but offer fewer hook ups. I don't let the bass swallow the hook and do a quick hook set immediately when I feel the strike. But I notice that even when hooked in the mouth there is often blood when using the bigger hooks. Thoughts?

Some baits require a smaller or larger hook, but 4/0 is standard.

 

Well hook size and style all depends on what bait you are throwing. The sizes I use most often are 2/0,3/0 and 4/0 round bends mostly throwing baby brush hogs,6 to 7.5 inch worms and senko style baits. I myself am not much of a fan of ewg hooks..they have their place but I don't throw anything the needs them.

2/0-4/0 EWG hooks are about all I use for 5"SENKO's...3.75" Killer Kraws and 3.8 Keitechs. With 3/0 seemingly being the one used the most.

 

DitchPanda, I feel like I have better hook up ratios with the EWG's. I would be interested in hearing why you choose the classic or round bends, over the EWG.

Like Ditch Panda stated, it depends on the size of the bait.  I use hooks from #2 to 5/0 depending on the bait.

 

 I am assuming that you meant 3/0 and 4/0 when you were mentioning hook sizes.

36 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Like Ditch Panda stated, it depends on the size of the bait.  I use hooks from #2 to 5/0 depending on the bait.

 

 I am assuming that you meant 3/0 and 4/0 when you were mentioning hook sizes.

yes i was thanks -- just yesterday i went out and caught three -- i usually use 4/0 with the berkeley pit boss and the larger size just seems to create more bleeding. 

             You're starting at the wrong end.

Begin with the bait, 'then' select an appropriate hook

 

1 hour ago, RoLo said:

             You're starting at the wrong end.

Begin with the bait, 'then' select an appropriate hook

 

Exactly!

 

The size of your plastic dictates the size of the hook. 

It seems that a lot of guys use too small of a hook for what they’re throwing. 
For a 5” senko I use a 4/0 which is the smallest hook I own. 
 

 

 

Mike

I read somewhere that the gap of the hook should be twice the size of the bait.  That puts mine around a 4/0 or so.  I’ve gone to traditional offset hooks rather than the EWG ones.  That’s because the hook point on the EWG hooks aren’t offset with the eye, thus a more difficult hookset.  Utube has several videos on this.

Thx all. I usually use a 4/0 with my creature baits. I was wondering if you noticed any more bleeding from the fish with the larger hooks. 

I don’t notice bleeding.  Are you hooking the fish deep in the throat?

I don't understand the bleeding thing either. Only fish I've ever had bleed was from a swallowed crankbait tail hook getting in the gills, or a hook that caught the bottom of the neck, outside not swallowed. I don't remember ever seeing a properly hooked fish bleed at all.

 

I almost always use 4/0 EWG hooks, but both the above examples were crankbaits/trebles.

Like everyone is saying its best to match hooks size and diameter to the bait and equipment your using.  Having said that a 3/0 EWG Gamakatsu will cover a lot of baits(4-6 inches) so if you can find a the big pack(25 count) and buy a few standard size packs(3-6 count depending on size and company) of 2/0 and 4/0.  That should cover you for EWG hooks... There are very few blood vessels in the mouth of a bass so if your seeing blood that's not a good sign for the fish.  If you don't use braid you may want to think about trying it.  It floats and you can get a bright color so you can actually use the line like a bobber.  It will jump or start moving away when a fish eats your bait.  It would be a good idea to put a leader of fluorocarbon on it  so the fish wont see the braid as easy.  Look up a uni uni or alberto knot to connect your mainline to your leader.  It also may a good idea to smash your barbs with pliers to minimize the damage from removing the hook.

If your really concerned about a bass bleeding then you shouldn’t be fishing. 

i typically use a 1/o worm hook, I have not had any problems with bass getting gut hooked, only bluegill when i micro fish, but thats still rare. in my area most the fish are 3 pounds or under that I am catching.

Many thx to all. What prompted this was a fish I caught a few days ago that was hooked around the mouth but seemed to be bleeding far more than usual. Some of the bleeding seemed to come from the throat area but no where near where the hook point was. Anyway, it just seemed a bit strange to me. Went out yesterday and had no issues. This is a great place for productive give and take. Thx again. 

Typically I use offset hooks . EWG's are only used on fatter baits . I choose a hook at least twice the diameter as the bait . In open water I use smaller hooks than in heavy cover . If I'm out fishing deep water a 1/0 or 2/0 hook on a skinny six inch worm is a good combo . Often times I wont even set the hook , the fish are just there, so I  reel fast . Those thin wired 1/0 hooks penetrate nicely in those situations .In  cover , I'll up the hook size , just for the added strength.