Hook size for crappie

[Slab Apprentice]

I use sickle hooks almost exclusively. Not sure about size tho..1/16 or 1/8 oz jigs


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[pab1981]

Don’t remember anyone saying you “need” bigger hooks to catch crappie. But I do it for cash and get 1099’d every year for tournament fishing and if I can get away with a big hook will choose it every time. Very,very few fish come unbuttoned on a 1/0 or 2/0 jig hook where conversely pretty much every trip or day using hooks #4 or smaller, sickle or round bend, a good fish is going to come off. I pour my own heads and have every size and style imaginable in the garage and none of them are a magic bullet, some fish will get away no matter what hook you use. But you will lose many more big fish on the little hooks than big ones, anyone that says differently probably hasn’t spent much time trying both.

The other thing to consider is a lot of use are using much bigger baits than what some of you do. A big profile 2.5”-3” bait with a #8 hook isn’t going to work very well at all no matter how you spin it.

[Tom 513]

I prefer a big #2 hook and even more important I'm sold on jigs with red sickle shaped hooks

[catchNgrease]

Don’t remember anyone saying you “need” bigger hooks to catch crappie. But I do it for cash and get 1099’d every year for tournament fishing and if I can get away with a big hook will choose it every time. Very,very few fish come unbuttoned on a 1/0 or 2/0 jig hook where conversely pretty much every trip or day using hooks #4 or smaller, sickle or round bend, a good fish is going to come off. I pour my own heads and have every size and style imaginable in the garage and none of them are a magic bullet, some fish will get away no matter what hook you use. But you will lose many more big fish on the little hooks than big ones, anyone that says differently probably hasn’t spent much time trying both.

The other thing to consider is a lot of use are using much bigger baits than what some of you do. A big profile 2.5”-3” bait with a #8 hook isn’t going to work very well at all no matter how you spin it.

When you hook these big fish where does the point of the hook "stick" the fish?

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[CatFan]

#2 seems like what I like. #4 sometimes. If I'm having snag problems I'll move up to a 1/0 as it seems like it comes off the branches more easily.

I don't care what someone else fishes with unless they are schooling me on the other end of the boat. Then I pay close attention!

[silverside]

I think it depends if you're ketch'n croppie or crappie. Need more info

[pab1981]

When you hook these big fish where does the point of the hook "stick" the fish?

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The fish that come loose are lip hooked instead of the roof of mouth, you can stick them with any hook you want in the roof of mouth and very few will get loose. But with the bigger hook less fish get hooked out on the edge of the lip and I get more fish in the boat period. Probably 60-70 percent of the time I am forced to fish smaller baits/jig hooks because fish react adversely to the bigger stuff. But if I have money on the line I will absolutely fish the biggest jig hook that the fish will let me get away with.

[catchNgrease]

The fish that come loose are lip hooked instead of the roof of mouth, you can stick them with any hook you want in the roof of mouth and very few will get loose. But with the bigger hook less fish get hooked out on the edge of the lip and I get more fish in the boat period. Probably 60-70 percent of the time I am forced to fish smaller baits/jig hooks because fish react adversely to the bigger stuff. But if I have money on the line I will absolutely fish the biggest jig hook that the fish will let me get away with.

Your mileage with big hooks versus little hooks doesn't line up with what have seen. It's not that I disagree with you but it's not my experience. But hey I ain't no Profesional either

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[Micanopy]

I suspect technique plays a large roll in some of this.

I use 1/0 and troll

[Ketchn]

I suspect technique plays a large roll in some of this.

I use 1/0 and troll

Here in lies the truth