Favorite hooks

[troutman]

Hara,<br><br>I do both fresh and saltwater fishing. When I choose hooks for freshwater they are usually very tiny, sometimes as small as 18's for powerbait, and as large as 8 or 10 for worms or plastics. I always use mustads, gold for the smaller (easier for me to see) and black for the larger (blends in with the water/bait).<br><br>I assume though you are asking more about saltwater hooks, so I will answer that a little better. I buy both Mustads and Owner. I use the Owner's myself and if someone needs a hook, I will give them my Mustad's. Of course, this can be very expensive at times but I really like the way the Owner's cut into the bait and also into the fish. I typically use the Owner's 1/0 or 3/0 live bait hooks on anchovies and sardines depending on their size. IMO, I believe that the way the Owner hooks make a cut in the bait minimizes the hole that it makes and hence the bait will live longer and rarely fall off. I almost always hook live chovies through the lower jaw and up through the nose and sometimes just through the nose. I find that the first method keep the fish alive and kicking a lot longer.<br><br>I just purchased some larger hooks from Demon Jigs and will be trying them out this weekend on the Islander. I'll report back how well they stand up. At first glance they look very solid and I already can report that they are VERY sharp. <br><br>Also, the picture that Steve posted (see "Hot Saltwater Hooks") in regards to the Maruto hooks does NOT do these hooks justice. It is a very clean and sharp hook and I'm positive it will do the job!<br><br>Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I've been a little busy lately taking care of things at home before I leave.<br><br>Jeff Jost