09-07-2006, 02:03 PM
Depends on the style of hook since a #4 in one style can be radically different size than #4 in another. (Sometimes I wish for a standard, but even within one company, e.g., Mustad, there is no consistency.) But assuming Mustad3407 or Mustad34007, then sizes 8 up through 4 seem to be standard fare in Belize where the typical bones rarely break through 10#. This covers the usual Crazy Charlies, Bonefish Bitters, Chernobyl Crabs and even Clousers.
One thing that helps in presentation is to have a variety of weights in a given size. So I like to have a section with the typical "heavy metal" eyes (tungsten preferred), metal bead chain eyes (for a medium weight version) and plastic eyes (for light weight). Sometimes I'll even have a few flies with no added weight. For example I have a small batch of Clousers at the ready tied with no eyes at all. The placement of the material across the gap of the hook rolls the hook to its expected/proper point up orientation. These unweighted Clousers work nicely on large Trout and Bass, too.
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One thing that helps in presentation is to have a variety of weights in a given size. So I like to have a section with the typical "heavy metal" eyes (tungsten preferred), metal bead chain eyes (for a medium weight version) and plastic eyes (for light weight). Sometimes I'll even have a few flies with no added weight. For example I have a small batch of Clousers at the ready tied with no eyes at all. The placement of the material across the gap of the hook rolls the hook to its expected/proper point up orientation. These unweighted Clousers work nicely on large Trout and Bass, too.
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