Introduction

Choosing the right fishing hook is essential for successful fishing, and understanding hook sizes and types can greatly improve your chances of landing your target species. In Australia, several hook brands dominate the market, each with its own history and specializations.

• Mustad: A Norwegian brand with over a century of experience, Mustad is renowned for its durable and corrosion-resistant hooks, widely used in both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
• Owner: A Japanese brand known for its chemically sharpened hooks and innovative coatings that provide excellent penetration and durability.
• Gamakatsu: Another premium Japanese brand, Gamakatsu specializes in high-quality steel hooks with razor-sharp edges, favored by both bait and lure anglers.
• BKK: Originally a Chinese brand founded in 1865, BKK has gained worldwide recognition in sports fishing due to its high-end saltwater hooks, particularly in big game and jigging applications.

Understanding Hook Types

Hooks are designed based on either target species or fishing styles. Some common types include:

• Long Shank Hooks: Ideal for baiting beach worms and targeting species like whiting.
• Circle Hooks: Designed for catch-and-release fishing, allowing fish to hook themselves in the corner of the mouth.
• Offset Hooks: Go-to choice for bait fishing, good hook-up rates but not ideal for catch and release.
• Trebles: Three-pronged hooks used primarily on hard-body lures.
• Assisted Hooks: Used in vertical jigging, these hooks provide better hook penetration and durability.
• Single vs. Double vs. Treble Hooks: Singles are best for bait fishing, while trebles are commonly used for lures. Double hooks offer a balance between the two and the key feature is it can reduce the amount of snags when fishing in shallow waters with lots of sea weeds and conjes.
• Eye Positioning: Hooks with vertical eyes are commonly used for lures, whereas horizontal eye hooks are preferred for traditional bait fishing.
• Spade-end hooks: These hooks do not have an eye; instead, they have a flattened "bib" or spade at the end of the shank. This design allows for a more secure and streamlined knot when tied with a snell knot, making them ideal for bait presentation. Larger Spade-end hooks are also a favourite in assisted hooks where reduced weight can make the jigs look more lively.

Hook Selection for Catch and Release

Sustainable fishing practices are crucial for maintaining healthy fish stocks. To improve survival rates when releasing fish:

1. Use as few hooks as possible to minimize injury.
2. Press down the barbs to make hook removal easier.
3. Consider using barbless hooks.
4. Circle hooks are an excellent choice for bait fishing, as they reduce deep hooking and improve survival rates. These hooks work by rolling into the corner of the fish’s mouth when pressure is applied.

Australian Hook Size Measurement

In Australia, hook sizes are measured from #12 (smallest) to #1 (largest), and then transition into the aught system (1/0 to 10/0), where higher numbers indicate larger hooks. The term "aught" comes from old English, meaning zero or nothing. Different brands have slight variations in their size charts due to differences in shape and materials, so our size chart provides a consistent reference without introducing multiple standards.

Hook Size Chart

Hook Size	Approx. Gape (mm)	Variation (mm)	Approx. Gape (inches)
#12	3	± 0.4	0.118
#11	4	± 0.4	0.157
#10	5	± 0.4	0.197
#9	6	± 0.4	0.236
#8	7	± 0.4	0.276
#7	8	± 0.4	0.315
#6	9	± 0.4	0.354
#5	10	± 0.4	0.394
#4	11	± 0.4	0.433
#3	12	± 0.4	0.472
#2	13	± 0.4	0.512
#1	14	± 0.4	0.551
1/0	16	± 0.4	0.630
2/0	17	± 0.4	0.669
3/0	18	± 0.4	0.709
4/0	19	± 0.4	0.748
5/0	21	± 0.9	0.827
6/0	23	± 0.9	0.906
7/0	25	± 0.9	0.984
8/0	28	± 1.4	1.102
9/0	31	± 1.4	1.220
10/0	37	± 2	1.457

Recommended Hook Sizes for Australian Fish Species

For bait fishing, choosing the right hook size can make a significant difference in hooking efficiency and fish retention. Below are recommended sizes for common Australian species:

• Australian Salmon: 1/0 - 4/0
• Bream: #4 - #1
• Flathead: #2 - 2/0
• Tailor: 3/0 - 6/0 (Using a 10-20 cm steel wire leader is recommended due to their sharp teeth.)
• Kingfish: 4/0 - 8/0
• Snapper: 2/0 - 6/0
• Whiting: #6 - #2 (Long shank is recommended due to their tendency to swallow the hook.)
• Blackfish: #8 - #4
• Drummer: #4 - 2/0

General Tips for Hook Selection

• Smaller hooks generally offer better bait and lure presentation, but using a hook that is too small can lead to losing fish during the fight.
• Finding the perfect hook size is a journey that evolves with experience. New anglers often start with larger hooks and gradually downsize as they refine their technique.
• Hook choice also depends on sea conditions, bait type, and fishing technique.
• The more you fish, the more likely you are to experiment with smaller hooks, but proper knowledge and skills are necessary before making that transition.

Understanding hook sizes and types is crucial for improving fishing success and ensuring sustainable practices. Whether targeting bream in an estuary or chasing kingfish offshore, selecting the right hook will help you land more fish and minimize harm to those you release. Happy fishing!