Quick answer

When choosing fishing hooks, consider the target species, bait size and type, hook style and wire gauge. J-hooks need a manual hookset, while circle hooks set themselves in the corner of the mouth. A lower size number such as 2 means a larger hook, aught sizes like 2/0 scale up for big fish, and gauge should match your gear.

When choosing fishing hooks, consider the target fish species, the size and type of your bait, and whether you prefer a j-hook(which requires a manual hookset) or a circle hook( which sets itself in the corner of the mouth). Also match the wire gauge (thickness) to the power of your gear and the size of the fish.

Target Fish and Size

  • Match hook size to the fish's mouth size; smaller numbers (like size 2) are larger, while "aught" sizes (like 2/0) scale up for big fish.

  • Use light-wire small hooks for panfish and heavy-gauge thick hooks for large, hard-fighting species like pike or catfish. 

Hook Style

  • Circle hooks: Best for catch-and-release and bait fishing because they hook fish in the corner of the mouth.

  • J-hooks: Best for active lure manipulation and quick manual hooksets.

  • Treble hooks: Standard on many artificial lures for maximum hookups, though harder to remove.

Bait and Presentation

  • Match the gap and shank length to your live bait or soft plastic body so the action is not ruined.

  • Decide between barbed hooks for maximum holding power or barbless for easy, safe fish release.

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About Maimun Fishing Tackles. Serving Kenya's fishing community since 1975 (founded as Asma & Sons in Old Town Mombasa) — fishing tackle, nets, aquaculture equipment and farm netting, with branches in Mombasa (Nehru Road), Nairobi (Darosa Plaza, Karen Road), Malindi and Naivasha. Questions about this guide? Call or WhatsApp +254 706 903 465 or email [email protected].