Well I've been thinking, what size hook is most appropriate for each size bait. Should a 3/0 only be used for 5-6 in baits or should a 3-5 in bait be on a 4/0 or 5/0 hook. Please help, a chart would be very helpful. Thanks in advance and btw, I'm just trying to improve my game a little more, it's a simple thing but always confuses me.

The hook size isn't nearly as important as the type of hook. That being said I have use 6/0 hooks on 4 in senkos without missing many hooksets. I use the 6/0's on all of my worms. I have also used the Gama EWG 4/0 hooks on my worms and didn't see a difference. I think it is mostly personal preference but you don't want a 1/0 on a 10 in worm or anything

I would personally recommend a 3/0 or 4/0 for 3-6 in worms and 5/0 or 6/0 for 7-10 in worms. For craws and creatures I like a 2/0 to 4/0 hook depending on the size.

I guess I go towards the small side of things. I usually go with a 1/0 or 2/0 in smaller plastics, and then a 5/0 in my really large plastics. I like to use EWG in most things, tho I like straight shank shaky heads. I feel that the thin wire hooks are easier to get set.

To each his own.

NGaHB

When choosing a hook don't worry about the length of the bait. You should look at the girth of the bait and use a hook that has a big enough gap to allow it to penetrate all the way the body and leave enough room to get a good hooks.

Lots of factors to consider, it's not all that easy.

The basics; line size, worm or creature diameter where and how the hook placed.

Texas rigged;

5/16 diameter worm, average for most worms between 5" to 7"; 3/0 worm hook.

3/8 diameter worm, avaerage for 71/2" to 10" worms; 4/0 worm hook.

Owner 5103-141 or Gamakstsu 484 or equal, both are straight shank round bend worm hooks.

3/8 to 7/16 diameter creatures and Senko's; 5/0 to 6/0 EMG Gamakatsu #584 or equal.

Finesse split shot or slip shot rigged, skin hooked;

3 to 41/2" worms; size 2 Gamakatsu # 011 or Owner 5100.

5 to 6 1/2" worms; size 1/0 Gamakatsu #011 or Owner 5100

Nose hooked; size 1 Gamakatsu or Owner drop shot hook or weedless wide gap finesse hook.

Wacky rigged (O-ring) Gamakatsu or Owner size 2/0 wide gap weedless finesse hook.

There are so many variables, hope this helps.

Tom

When choosing a hook don't worry about the length of the bait. You should look at the girth of the bait and use a hook that has a big enough gap to allow it to penetrate all the way the body and leave enough room to get a good hooks.

That's the advice I always give. My guideline is for the hook's gap to be at least double the diameter of the plastic.

The "girth" of a soft-plastic lure refers to its "circumference", but hook-size is determined by the "thickness" of the plastic.

For example, the cross-section of many soft-plastic lures is Rectangular, Oblong or Fish-shaped.

Before hook-size can be determined, you need to decide whether you're going to rig the lure

through the narrow thickness or through the wide thickness (normally I skewer the lesser thickness).

Additionally, many soft-plastic lures are equipped with a built-in hook-slot that has a direct bearing on proper hook-size.

Last but not least, monofilament lines require significantly larger hooks than non-stretch braid, because the elasticity

of mono provides little or no plastic compression (BTW: Nylon, Fluoro & Copolymer are ALL monofilament lines).

Roger

When choosing a hook don't worry about the length of the bait. You should look at the girth of the bait and use a hook that has a big enough gap to allow it to penetrate all the way the body and leave enough room to get a good hooks.

This is exactly how I choose a hook. I use the smallest hook possible so long is the worm isn't to thick for the gap. My Personal Best bass (9.98) came off of a 7 inch trickworm with a 1/0, thin wire, regular offset hook.

Lots of factors to consider, it's not all that easy.

The basics; line size, worm or creature diameter where and how the hook placed.

Texas rigged;

5/16 diameter worm, average for most worms between 5" to 7"; 3/0 worm hook.

3/8 diameter worm, avaerage for 71/2" to 10" worms; 4/0 worm hook.

Owner 5103-141 or Gamakstsu 484 or equal, both are straight shank round bend worm hooks.

3/8 to 7/16 diameter creatures and Senko's; 5/0 to 6/0 EMG Gamakatsu #584 or equal.

Finesse split shot or slip shot rigged, skin hooked;

3 to 41/2" worms; size 2 Gamakatsu # 011 or Owner 5100.

5 to 6 1/2" worms; size 1/0 Gamakatsu #011 or Owner 5100

Nose hooked; size 1 Gamakatsu or Owner drop shot hook or weedless wide gap finesse hook.

Wacky rigged (O-ring) Gamakatsu or Owner size 2/0 wide gap weedless finesse hook.

There are so many variables, hope this helps.

Tom

Wow thats pretty detailed, thanks and thanks to everyone else, really helped out a lot. I have been using 3/0 and 5/0 for pretty much everything and they work pretty well, I only use EWG hooks except for a jig.

The "girth" of a soft-plastic lure refers to its "circumference", but hook-size is determined by the "thickness" of the plastic.

For example, the cross-section of many soft-plastic lures is Rectangular, Oblong or Fish-shaped.

Before hook-size can be determined, you need to decide whether you're going to rig the lure

through the narrow thickness or through the wide thickness (normally I skewer the lesser thickness).

Additionally, many soft-plastic lures are equipped with a built-in hook-slot that has a direct bearing on proper hook-size.

Last but not least, monofilament lines require significantly larger hooks than non-stretch braid, because the elasticity

of mono provides little or no plastic compression (BTW: Nylon, Fluoro & Copolymer are ALL monofilament lines).

Roger

wow that helps alot. thanks. I'll be sure to review this and everyone else please excuse the double post

It really depends on the brand and style. I've always wondered why a 3/0 EWG, straight shank, RB offset, g-lock, etc are all different sizes...and some of the differences are huge. I generally like to use a 2/0 or 3/0 hook for trick worms and senkos.

Seems like I get better hookups with a offset round bend hook but recently a lot of the bass are hooked just barely in the gullet. I think since the hook is smaller than an EWG it may be easier to swallow or they may swallow it without noticing. Still looking for a good alternative; something in between a EWG and round bend. Have been using the Gama G-Locks for a week or two now with good success.