what size hook

[ksurfbenny]

hi there just a quick question what is the best sized hook to use for coarse fishing on rivers and lakes? does it vary on lakes and rivers? id just like to know what the best size hooks size would be.

thanks guys!

[sammy-boy]

No easy answer, get yourself a range of sizes mainly 8-18s in barbless to start with. Its hard to say because it varies with species / baits ect ect

[cartench]

Originally Posted by sammy-boy

No easy answer, get yourself a range of sizes mainly 8-18s in barbless to start with. Its hard to say because it varies with species / baits ect ect

I agree,although on my lake I use a size 8 and I've had things from two inch long roach and perch, to 14lb carp and 5lb tench on them,hope this helps

Ryan

[worms]

a good starting point for roach,perch,skimmers is size 18 with maggot
14/16 for corn/worm
the bigger the fish you are targeting the bigger bait so bigger hooks
cheers worms

[mrwell]

Originally Posted by ksurf benny

hi there just a quick question what is the best sized hook to use for coarse fishing on rivers and lakes? does it vary on lakes and rivers? id just like to know what the best size hooks size would be.

thanks guys!

firstly you have to think about the venue you are fishing because that determines your bait and hook size,simply think this way the smaller the bait the smaller the hook also think of what the bait is your using again if it is worms then a small 18/20 hook is of no real use because it will come off the hook far to easy so you need to use a bigger hook and for whole worm then a number 12/10 might be better to use....here is a little pointer in hooks to bait to try...
caster....16/20
pinkie...20/24
maggot...18/24
hemp...18/20
tares...18/14
punched bread.....20/14
small red worm...18/12
bread flake....18/6
lobworm...10/4
cheese...12/8
luncheon meat...12/6
Now there are slight variations to this but over all it is not far off the mark,now lets take another factor into account when choosing hooks and that is line strength,pointless using a number 10 hook on a low 1.5lb break line so here is a little table to follow....
hooks........line strength..
24/14......12oz/1.5lb
20/18......1lb/2.5lb
16......1lb/ 4.5lb
14....6lb
12/10....1.75/7lb
6........2.5/ 10lb plus
4......4.5/10lb plus
The bigger the hook the stronger the line,if you ballance your hook and line correctly you should have no real problems so if you just think of the bait first then hook and line next that is the way forward and it make little difference if it is Rivers or pools/lakes but one word of advice if try the rivers use strong hooks,light wire type hooks are no good on rivers because they bend out of shape because it is not just the weight of the fish on the rivers but the tow that can be very strong,always think of the water if it is running fast then use stronger hooks but in steady water you can get away with lighter hooks....hope this helps you a little