Fishing Hook Size Guide Calculator
Find the right hook size for your target fish species and bait type.
Get a recommended hook range for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Reading hook sizes
Hook sizing has a confusing convention: smaller numbers mean bigger hooks below size 1, then bigger numbers mean bigger hooks above 1/0. The full ladder runs:
#22 (tiny dry-fly) → #18 → #14 → #10 → #6 → #2 → #1 → 1/0 → 4/0 → 10/0 (massive shark hook)
A #14 is for trout dry flies. A #6 is for general bait fishing. A 4/0 is for striped bass on cut bait. The numbers are not standardized across manufacturers; Mustad, Owner, and Gamakatsu each draw their lines slightly differently, so always check the eye and gap of an unfamiliar hook against one you know.
The two rules
Rule 1: Match the hook gap to the bait. A worm threaded on too small a hook bunches up around the eye; a worm on too big a hook leaves the point exposed and loses fish on the strike. The hook gap should be slightly wider than the bait at its thickest point.
Rule 2: Match the hook size to the species’ mouth. A #14 is invisible to a 3 lb pike but appropriate for a 6-inch perch. A 4/0 is right for a striped bass but too big for a smallmouth. The mouth of the typical adult fish you target should comfortably take the hook gap without the gape being obvious.
Quick reference
| Species | Small bait | Medium bait | Large bait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panfish, perch | #10 to #14 | #6 to #10 | #4 to #6 |
| Trout | #12 to #18 | #6 to #10 | #4 to #8 |
| Bass | #4 to #8 | #1 to #4 | 1/0 to 3/0 |
| Pike, walleye | #2 to #6 | 1/0 to 3/0 | 3/0 to 5/0 |
| Catfish | #2 to 1/0 | 2/0 to 5/0 | 4/0 to 7/0 |
| Salmon, steelhead | #4 to #8 | #2 to #6 | 1/0 to 3/0 |
Two tips that help everyone
- Replace stock treble hooks on lures with quality singles. You lose almost nothing in hookup rate, gain a lot in landing rate, and make every release safer for the fish.
- A sharp hook beats a perfect-size hook. Touch up the point with a small file every few fish, especially after rocks and weeds.