After fishing for trout for 37 years and guiding for 22 years, I can assure you that the hook size matters when trout fishing. The wrong hook size can limit how many bites you get, and can even cause you to lose more fish.
Also, the wrong type of hook can lower your hooking percentage and your landing rate. I know this for a fact because I have tested just about every hook there is for trout.
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It is said that the best size of hook for trout fishing is between a size 8 to 14 hook. But I rarely go by what “they” say. I use the largest hook possible whenever I can, but I adjust the size based on multiple factors which I will explain below.
Good trout guides will tell you the best hook size for trout actually depends on these things:
- Bait Size: The size of the bait you are using should be considered when choosing the right hook size.
- Trout Size: The size of the trout that you are fishing for is another consideration. You might need a bigger and stronger hook that won’t bend or break on large trout.
- River Conditions: If the water is very clear, or when fishing a slow current, a smaller hook is less visible and is often better.
- Stocked vs. Wild Trout: Wild trout might notice a large hook and refuse to bite, but stocked trout are less cautious and will bite a bait with a bigger hook.
- Lake Fishing: Trout in lakes or ponds or any still water have plenty of time to swim up to a bait and inspect it. Therefore, I choose a hook size that is appropriate to my bait so that the bait can hide the hook.
- Current Speed: In faster water, the trout need to make a fast decision on biting a bait or not and they are less likely to see the hook when the bait is swiftly passing them. Therefore, I tend to use larger hooks and larger baits in faster water.
Larger Hooks Versus Smaller Hooks: What’s Best
There are pros and cons to large hooks and small hooks.
Larger Hooks
Pros
- Larger hooks tend to grab more flesh to hold on better and longer during long fights.
- A larger hook may also give you a more solid hook set.
- A larger hook is more likely to have a wider gap that is not obstructed by the bait. Obstructing the hook gap can result in missed fish.
Cons
- Large hooks are more likely to be seen by the trout, which can mean fewer bites.
- Large hooks can be heavy, resulting in more snags.
- Large hooks can be heavy, preventing a more natural drift or presentation, especially in rivers.
Small Hooks
Pros
- Small hooks are less likely to be seen, and therefore, more trout will bite.
- Small hooks are lighter and give the bait a more natural movement and better presentation.
Cons
- Small hooks do not hook as well on the hookset and, therefore, they are more likely to miss the fish.
- Small hooks grab less flesh and tear out, resulting in more lost fish.
- Small hooks are more likely to have the hook gap closed or filled in by the bait, resulting in a lower hooking percentage.
- Smaller hooks are more likely to have the hook point covered, resulting in a lower hooking percentage.
2 Types Of Hooks For Trout Fishing: Treble and Octopus
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Sizes 8 to 12 Octopus hooks and Specimen hooks are the BEST, and if I had to choose, I would say a size 10 is the best size hook for trout.
A treble hook that is too big may affect the action of the lure, and smaller treble hooks, especially ones that are too small may affect the hooking ability of the lure.
Single Trout Hook Types
Hooks come in many shapes and sizes and this is because the shape of the hook is supposed to serve a purpose. Truthfully, 2 shapes of hooks are all you need and all good guides will use these.
Octopus Hooks and Specimen Hooks: Best Hooks For Trout
This shape provides better hook penetration on hook sets, with less leverage on the hook in the trout’s mouth, so the trout are less likely to pry it out and get off.
Egg Hooks – Good For Single Salmon Eggs
Sedge Hooks – Good For Stealthy Presentation
My two favorite sedge hooks are the Raven Sedge Hook and the Daiichi 1150 sedge hook.
The Difference Between Hook Sizes
The Size Of Hook For Trout Depends On The Bait
Bigger baits will require a bigger size hook, while a smaller bait will require a smaller size hook.
I believe that trout feed more based on sight than they do on scent or other factors, so I adjust my hook size accordingly to make sure they don’t see the hook.
If they see your hook you will have a tough time catching trout. Even rainbow trout, which are less cautious, can still refuse a larger size hook if they see it.
GUIDE TIP: If you want to see the wrong hooks and wrong baits in action, watch this video of trout grabbing baits underwater, and see how many times they spit the crappy hooks out.
Pro Tip: Debris on the hook will prevent the trout from biting the hooks, so check your hook often and remove all debris.
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The problem with small hooks in size 12 to 18 is that a size 14 trout hook might be too small and will get buried in the bait, which may close up the gap which will then affect how well the hook penetrates and how well or how poorly it hooks the trout.
If the hook gap is closed up or the point is covered by the bait, you will miss a lot of trout on the hook set, or the trout will pick up the bait, feel the pull or line and then spit the hook out without you getting a hookset.
The best size hook for trout fishing when I am using a bigger bait like a garden worm or a spawn bag that is about the size of a nickel would be a size 8 trout hook.
Best Hooks For Trout Fishing
This is the short and sweet version of this article. The full article is more detailed and can be found HERE.
I’d be happy to help you with any questions you might have on the right hook size for trout or any tips you might have, so leave a comment or question in the comments section below.
Tight Lines
Graham
References:
Rusticaly: What Are Fishing Hooks Made Of? (Explained for Beginners) (rusticaly.com)
Science Direct: Influence of hook type on performance, hooking location, injury, and reflex action mortality predictors in float recreational angling for cyprinids: A case study in northeastern Poland – ScienceDirect
Source: https://t-tees.com
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