Fishing Hook Size Chart: How Hook Sizes Work
Hook sizes run backwards: a size 20 is tiny, a size 1 is large, then 1/0, 2/0 and up get bigger again. A chart by species and bait.
Fishing hook sizes look backwards. Small hooks have big numbers (size 20 is tiny, size 2 is medium). Once you reach size 1, sizes switch to "aughts": 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 and up, which get bigger as the number rises. There is no single standard, so a size 6 from one brand can differ slightly from another.
Hook size chart by species
Fish | Typical hook size |
|---|---|
Roach, rudd, small bream | 20–14 |
Perch | 12–6 |
Trout (bait) | 12–6 |
Tench, bream | 14–8 |
Carp | 8–4 |
Chub, barbel | 10–4 |
Eel | 6–1 |
Zander (deadbait) | 6–1 |
Pike (deadbait, trebles) | 8–4 trebles |
Sea bass (bait) | 2–3/0 |
Mackerel feathers | 2–1/0 |
Cod and bigger sea fish | 2/0–6/0 |
How to choose the size
Match the bait, not just the fish. The hook should hold the bait with the point and gap free. A big bait needs a bigger hook even for small fish.
Match the mouth. Smaller mouths need smaller hooks.
Match the line. Tiny hooks on heavy line bend; large hooks on very light line will not set.
Circle hooks run large — go about two sizes up from a J hook.
Hook types
Pick the type first, then the size: J hook, circle, treble, baitholder, Aberdeen, worm hook, weedless. Each page lists the sizes we recommend.
Next: circle hook vs J hook and how to tie a fishing hook.
