Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

Poll

What hook size do you use most often, based on octopus hooks

Size 6
- 0 (0%)
Size 4
- 8 (9.3%)
Size 2
- 27 (31.4%)
Size 1
- 34 (39.5%)
Size 1/O
- 14 (16.3%)
Size 2/O
- 2 (2.3%)
Size 3/O
- 1 (1.2%)

Total Members Voted: 86


Author Topic: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing  (Read 24930 times)

RalphH

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5070
    • Initating Salmon Fry
Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« on: January 05, 2013, 11:56:46 AM »

I got into a discussion with some one who was really opinionated . He said anything bigger than a 2 was just flossing and snagging tackle and for a fish in the 10 to 15 pound range a #4 was fine. While I think that part is true as far as it goes hook size needs to be matched to the size of the bait or presentation. For example with a bigger bait - like a prawn I want a bigger hook so the fish grabs hooks anytime it takes the bait .

What size do you prefer or use most of the time? Why do you vary it?
« Last Edit: January 06, 2013, 11:53:59 AM by RalphH »
Logged
"The hate of men will pass and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people!" ...Charlie Chaplin, from his film The Great Dictator.

BNF861

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 503
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2013, 12:20:08 PM »

hook size needs to be matched to the size of the bait or presentation

Exactly what you said, it depends on the bait,lure,etc.

Generally, if I am using something small like a tiny tuff of wool and a Jensen egg or two i will use a size 4. If I'm using bait such as roe or prawn I will use a size 1.
Logged

leapin' tyee

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 442
  • can't get enough
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2013, 12:29:07 PM »

. He said anything bigger than a 2 was just flossing and snagging tackle and for a fish in the 10 to 15 pound range a #4 was fine.

I have seen a lot of flossers or snaggers using #4 hooks too. It is all about your intention.
Logged

blaydRnr

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1551
  • nothing like the first bite of the season
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2013, 12:37:47 PM »

Exactly what you said, it depends on the bait,lure,etc.

Generally, if I am using something small like a tiny tuff of wool and a Jensen egg or two i will use a size 4. If I'm using bait such as roe or prawn I will use a size 1.

x2


I never go bigger than size 1 for steelhead, but it doesn't mean you can't....totally depends on what you're using for presentation ie...6 inch rubber worms or size 4 blades or even a 21/25 ct prawn.
Logged

Johnny Canuck

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 594
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2013, 12:39:37 PM »

What about water conditions and type of water being fished? In rivers like the chilliwack when it's blown and as clear as the fraser I'll use a 2/0. Usually blown out water conditions mean big and fast water and there's more "bite" with that hook compared to a smaller one and the fish won't necessarily see it. My go to hook though is a #1 in most conditions, and a #2 in low clear conditions. Crossing area is a #1 or #2 type of water, while tamahi is a 1/0 type of water (all these are in ideal water levels and visibility)
« Last Edit: January 05, 2013, 12:42:12 PM by Johnny Canuck »
Logged
Common sense is so rare it should be considered a superpower.

Fish Assassin

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 10839
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2013, 01:22:45 PM »

What about water conditions and type of water being fished? In rivers like the chilliwack when it's blown and as clear as the fraser I'll use a 2/0. Usually blown out water conditions mean big and fast water and there's more "bite" with that hook compared to a smaller one and the fish won't necessarily see it. My go to hook though is a #1 in most conditions, and a #2 in low clear conditions. Crossing area is a #1 or #2 type of water, while tamahi is a 1/0 type of water (all these are in ideal water levels and visibility)

X2
Logged

Dennis.t

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 553
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2013, 02:20:06 PM »

Size 2 for steelhead most of the time. Size 1 sometimes. Depends on the water conditions.Have landed many large steelhead on size 2 hooks.Make sure its a quality hook that doesnt straighten out on the bigger fish.I feel a smaller hook does less damage to fish you intend to release.Would never ever go bigger then a size 1,simply no need for a larger hook then a size 1 for steelhead on our local rivers.If the river is blown,fish cant see your offering anyways so using a bigger hook makes no sense.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2013, 02:24:35 PM by Dennis.t »
Logged

fyrfytr77

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2013, 07:54:25 PM »

defintely depends on what your fishing for and water conditions......
Logged

Noahs Arc

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1198
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2013, 07:55:25 PM »

I use #1 and #2 black or red depending what my lure is.
If I'm fishing bugs I use a 1/0 because the way I rig the bug Works better with a larger gap.
In really low water / sunny days I might use a #4 but I try not to for steel unless it's really low.
Logged

nosey

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 429
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2013, 06:55:21 AM »

If I'm using big bait(raw shrimp, bugs) I'll use up to a 2/0, my leader is always under a foot, if someone came along and called me a flosser I'm thinking he best not be standing between me and the water. ;)
Logged

RalphH

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5070
    • Initating Salmon Fry
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2013, 09:09:10 AM »

If I'm using big bait(raw shrimp, bugs) I'll use up to a 2/0, my leader is always under a foot, if someone came along and called me a flosser I'm thinking he best not be standing between me and the water. ;)


Interesting - the person in question was a tackle store clerk. I had asked for 2/0s and when he told me I should not use anything bigger than a#2 I told him I wanted bigger hooks for prawn tails. He then made some remarks about flossing and snagging as in unless I was fishing chinooks anything big was flossing and snagging tackle. The stupid thing is I didn't ask to speak to the store manager and tell the manager the guy had a) not provided me what I'd asked for and b) insulted me. I just wanted to get out of there.
« Last Edit: January 06, 2013, 09:39:56 AM by RalphH »
Logged
"The hate of men will pass and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people!" ...Charlie Chaplin, from his film The Great Dictator.

7119

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2013, 10:01:59 AM »

The size of hook just makes it easier to snag fish . On the vedder usually #1 but sometimes 1/0 ans down to a #2 smaller bait smaller hook big bait big hook . Also if the bite is light it will be easier to set the finer wire hook like a #2 or #4 ..... food for thought
Logged

scheng53

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 31
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2013, 06:57:56 PM »

considering the numbers of steelies in river, I wonder how one can intensionally trying to snag fish
Logged

Johnny Canuck

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 594
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2013, 07:10:42 PM »

considering the numbers of steelies in river, I wonder how one can intensionally trying to snag fish

See one sitting in a tail out or pocket water or even sit at a pocket all day every day flossing it.
Logged
Common sense is so rare it should be considered a superpower.

firstlight

  • Old Timer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1550
  • I'm a llama!
Re: Hook sizes for steelhead - float fishing
« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2013, 07:19:44 PM »

1 and 2,s

Mostly only use 1,s for worms 4 inch or bigger.
Logged