For example, pompano have smaller mouths. You can catch most any gamefish fishing with a #1 to a #1/0 hook.ĭepending on the fish being targeted, this range might alter slightly. There is no need for a 5/0 hook unless you plan to land sharks. However, the truth is, you can catch some really big fish on a small hook. There is a misconception that salt-water fishing requires bigger hooks. The #2 hook would be smaller than the #1 and the #3 would be the smallest. The #1 hook would be the largest hook in a set. For example, say we had a set of hooks ranging from #1 to #3. With regular sized hooks, the bigger the number the smaller the hook. They are actually sized the opposite way aught hooks are sized. Understanding how regular numbered hooks are sized is a bit trickery. For example, in a set of aught hooks ranging in size from 1/0 to 3/0, the 1/0 would be the smallest.

Smaller sized aught hooks are labeled with smaller aught numbers. Understanding how aught hooks are sized is straight forward. For example, a one aught hook would be labeled as such, 1/0. Let’s start with aught sizes.Īught sized hooks are labeled with a number followed by a slash and a zero. This is because there are two different numbering methods for hook sizes regular numbers and aught sizes. Each package of hooks is labeled with a hook size number however, it is a little tricky to understand at first. One way to do this might be to look at the hooks and pick a pack that looks right to you. Now that we have narrowed down the search for the type of hook we need, the next step is to decide the hook size. Before we look at rigs, let’s review some of the more common hooks and weights used when making a rig. The only difference is how the hooks and the weight are arranged. Rigs are basically a combination of those two items. It’s really no more complicated than that. You need a hook to hook the fish, and you need a weight to cast the hook towards the fish. You need two things tied to the end of your line in order to catch a fish. Well, we’re about to break it all down into the basics so you can decide what rig and bait is right for you. How do you know what to get? Let’s be honest, you don’t want to spend the afternoon in the store, you want to spend it in the surf. Not to mention the freezer is filled with boxes and containers of frozen sea creatures, aka bait.

There are rows and rows of hooks, lures, and rigs. In fact, if you’ve walked through any sporting good shop, then you already know how overcomplicated rigging a rod and reel can seem. All you need to do now is tie on a hook, right? Well, it might be a little more complicated than that. If you read through part one of this series, you have your rod, reel, and line all ready to go.

Bluefish rig for surf