Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

That us common sense where you live.😁

captjim Loc: Antioch Ca

I know most of you gentleman are fishing trout and using the small sizes. I have used the larger sizes 7/0 and up. I am mostly using these hooks on anchored fishing for stripers and sturgeon. Here striped bass have an 18 " minimum. I like to use the larger hooks, 9/0 or 10/0 because the smaller fish (shakers) can't fit that hook in their mouth, and then if we hook a big one I know the hook will take it. I find less variance between manufacturers in the larger sizes. Gamakatsu's work well for this, besides being strong and sharp, the finish will rust corrode quickly so if you release a fish with the hook down in their throat it will corrode out quickly. N
Now you want to see big hooks, for sharks I use 15/0 -17/0 circle hooks.

1cazadir Loc: Colorado

Like electrical wire sizes or gauges, fish hook sizes are referred to by a number from the smallest currently made (size 32) to the largest currently made (size 19/0). For hook sizes from 1 to 32, the larger the number, the smaller the hook. For hook sizes from 1/0 (called a one aught) to 19/0, the larger the number the larger the hook. Of course, the multitude of different styles of hooks also play a part in the physical dimensions of the hooks. Hope this helps.

hacksaw Loc: Pasadena, Texas

That’s a ridiculous question. Everyone that has fished a lot knows the answer except me. I’ve fished lot but never gave a hoot about the sizes. I just know what I use when and where I fish...🤷‍♂️
Hack 🇺🇸🍺🍺

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Got that nailed down Egg!!

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

Many years ago I read a story by A J McClain in Field and Stream about his fishing with #22 black ants in Vermont stalking native brookies. If you have some computer savvy you could probably find it.

Captain Lahti Loc: Kennewick, WA

I’m thinking the range of hook sides by number may be a European, British tradition carried on. As far as the numbers, there has to be a break point between the single and double digit numbers and the 0/ numbers. You can’t keep getting a bigger hook and a smaller number because of how it started so at a certain point we just increase the number with an 0/ to differentiate. It’s kinda like how we designate shotgun sizes. The bigger the number, the smaller the bore until we hit .410 which is an inch measurement of caliber. Above that diameter the number is calculated according to how many round balls of bore size will add up to a pound. A 20 ga has 20 bore sized balls to a pound, a 10 ga has 10 bore sized balls to a pound. With the introduction of rifled barrels the English tradition went to an inch measurement. Europe converted to metric so uses metric. But still use gauge for shotguns.

sun bum Loc: Sarasota, FL

sun bum Loc: Sarasota, FL

not so "ridiculous" if you can't answer it. Read back, it matters for several reasons, ever buy hooks "on line"?
Thanks 1cazadir and captan lahti for your input and insight, even helps regarding counting down then count up. well done. Tight lines.

sun bum Loc: Sarasota, FL

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

There are no ridiculous questions,..... strange ones, difficult ones, already-answered ones, silly ones.....yes. But each and every question is someone seeking to further their knowledge about a subject.
What's ridiculous on this forum is how many times there is a legitimate query made and folks from the other side of the country chime in to say "I don't know... maybe somebody will be along shortly"..... now THAT I find ridiculous !

re: buying online gear.....read EVERYTHING, DESCRIPTION-WISE, AT LEAST TWICE ! A vendor can often mislead by clever prose or deceptive pictures. Caveat Emptor...buyer beware !