Fish Hooks - Characteristics
A Fish Hook has different fundamental parts. The eye is where the Fishing Line is attached. The sharp part of the Fish Hook pointing upward is called the point, and the little, sharp protrusion immediately below the point is termed as barb. This makes the Fish Hook to remain embedded in the fish. The gap is the distance from the point of the hook to the shank, or the straight part of the hook. If the Fish Hook is in upright position, the bend corresponds to its bottom part and the distance from the gap to the bend is called the throat.
Even Fish Hooks come in various forms, sizes, and applications. As always, it is necessary to know the advantages and disadvantages of different Fish Hooks. There are numerous variations in Fish Hooks alone and it will be a great relief on your part if you can narrow down your selection of the appropriate one. All Fish Hooks have three basic characteristics - Fish Hook Sizes, Fish Hook Weights, and Fish Hook Styles.
Fish Hook Sizes
You will be able to know the Fish Hook size via the number designated to the hook. The Fish Hook size is determined by the hook's gap and the shank. Just be guided by this rule- a higher number corresponds to a smaller hook. Be reminded, though, that this way of designating numbers differs among the manufacturers. A Fish Hook can also either be long-shanked or short-shanked. This is represented by a number and a letter X. The number tells you how many sizes longer or shorter the shank is for the Fish Hook size. When it is a 2X Long hook, it only means that it has the same shank length as the Fish Hook that is two sizes larger.
In choosing the correct Fish Hook size, consider the type of Fishing Bait you are using as well as the fish you want to catch. If you are after a bigger fish, it follows that you also need a larger Fish Hook. But do not purchase a hook that is way too big for your bait. It might frighten the fish away.
Fish Hook Weights
Like the hook size, a number followed by an X assigns the hook weight. For example, a 2X Fine hook means that the hook is similar in diameter to a hook that is smaller by one size. It can be fine wire or heavy wire. A fine-wire hook can go through the fish's mouth with ease. On the other hand, a heavy-wire hook can cling better to the fish, and it does not turn crooked as easily as a fine-wire hook.
Fish Hook Styles
Styles of the hooks vary, depending on the kind of features it has. For instance, the eye of the fish hook can be turned up, or turned down. Likewise, Fish Hooks can also be weedless, double hooks, or treble hooks.
The eye is turned up when it is inclined away from the hook's point. A hook with this kind of eye is believed to give more space between the shank and the point. This applies well to hooks which are relatively small.
If the hook eye is inclined toward the point, that hook has a turned down eye. This makes easy penetration possible due to the better angle formed from the hook's point to your Fishing Line.
Another style of a Fish Hook is the weedless hook. It has one or more thin wires attached from the hook eye to the point. But these wires are flexible in such a way that they will curve inward once a fish hits the fish hook. The weedless hook is called as such because it prevents the weeds from hitching on the fish hook.
If your fish hook has two points, then it is called a double hook. This hook will be very handy especially if you decide to go fishing in saltwater.
When your hook has one eye and shank with three points, it is termed as treble hook.
Both the double and treble hooks provide a better chance of hooking up the fish. The downside can be the fact that these hooks will not fit to the mouths of smaller fish. Moreover, if you get lucky of catching a fish, getting the fish from the hook can be tough.
Determine these basic characteristics and choose the Fish Hooks which meet your requirements.
|
|
|
|
|