Does hook size really matter ?

[Ketchn]

I think it does myself . So lets hear what you use and why ? I have a preference for small hooks myself but I don't fit the typical crappie fisher person mold .
The part of the equation that many miss might expose itself if we get a discussion going on this topic . So lets hear it yawl

[mighty]

I prefer size 4 minnow hooks. I usually just by the cheap ones at walmart, the bronze. However i am a fan of tru turn hooks and have using them lately. For jigs i most use size for also. Im not sure if color of the hook makes a difference.

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[Quailtail]

My dad always used Eagle Claw 202 size 2. That's been 70 years ago. He used snelled hooks, tied to old camo braided Courtland line, with a Shakespear direct drive reel. I use the 202 size 2 sometimes a snelled hook but mostly tied directly to mono.

[Cray]

In 1/8 oz I pour 1/0 and 2/0 hooks. In 1/16 I pour #1 or 1/0. In 1/32 I pour #2. Crappie have big mouths and eat big baits. I want a hook that will stickem and hold em. But where I fish it's mostly whites and a 12 in minimum length. Now if I fished for blacks mostly my experience says they like smaller baits so would size down hook to match bait size. Main thing is a good hook. Have found the new eagle claw I'll nasty to be a awesome hook. Have never understood the logic of having high dollar rod,reel and line then buy cheap hooks to save a few penny's.

[crappie wrangler]

For vertical jigging I like a larger nook #2 or bigger for cast and retrieve I like a smaller hook. The bigger hook on vertical jigging means fewer missed strikes and the smaller hooks for cast and retrieve means fewer lost hooks. Lately I have been pouring sickle hooks. I usually buy the raw hooks by the 1000 because they are so much cheaper that way.

[Yonder]

#4 for 1/16 - 1\8 jigs, #6 when I drop to 1/24 or smaller, when they are bittin lite, or in the pads / bullrushes. I think the smaller hook, less snags, and when it's slow and their timid, a shell cracker or big Gill is a bonus.
Funny though, I always used a 1\0 or 2/0 with minnows but I'm starting to go smaller with them too. I have been leaning toward red hooks, found a chartruse jig head with green hook is productive frequently.
Go figure....

[scrat]

I like the 1/0 and 2/0 hooks for those big mouth crappies myself.

[CrappiePappy]

I've always been kinda partial to #2 Aberdeen hooks, myself. But, have been known to use #4 - #1 hooks on jigs & hook/sinker rigs. And #4 & #2 sickle hooks on jigs.

I've hoisted many a 2+lb Crappie out of the water on a #2 hook ... be it a hook/sinker rig or on a jig. Then again, I've hoisted quite a few "nearly 2lb" fish over the side of the boat on a Roadrunner w/#4 hook. Ain't had a fish straighten out a hook on me, yet. And that goes for the Hybrid Striper, Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, and Freshwater Drum that have been caught while fishing for Crappie.

I worry more about the line, than I do the hook ... which is why I have my drags set accordingly (including the rods with braid).

[crappie wrangler]

I agree, it's the drag that will allow landing that 30+ pound fish caught while crappie fishing.

[skeetbum]

Most everything I use is a sickle hook and smaller hooks have helped me land a lot of fish. Some days when they're picky, I downsize and slow down and still go on catching fish. Lately I have used a lot of #8 hooks in a 1/64oz jig and seldom have one say goodbye before we get to meet. Now I wouldn't troll with that #8 unless I had no others, and down here the blacks just don't require that big a hook. When I lose a fish while trolling, it is generally from being caught in the paper part of the mouth. Trolling I will go up to a #2 but I mostly use a #4. Casting a 1/32 will have a #6 and a 1/16 will have a #4.