Post
by MK49 » Mon Jul 17, 2023 7:05 pm
Speaking of thin wire hooks, they are good, when you're expecting the biggest fish would be less than 5 or 6lbs. They're normally easier to hook with thinner hooks. If you expect bigger fish, just put harder hooks. I learned that when I used to fish in Mexico (I've fished there 16 or 17 times, usually 1 week each time.) The first time I went there, I used stock hooks (not talking about just Yo-zuri), and missed many fish. I also used 16 to 20lbs lines, and the line broke left and right, when I hooked 9~11 pounders. Even a few snaps and split rings broke. After a couple of trips, I figured out I needed to use 2x or 3x strong hooks, better snaps and split rings. I also found a couple of lines, which don't break easily (one copolymer and one braided). After I figured them out, I used the same hooks, snaps, split rings and lines for the rest of my trips (14 or 15 times).
That said, I don't use the same snaps, split rings and hooks locally, here in Northern California. The biggest fish I catch every once in a while is no bigger than 8lbs, so I normally use thin (stock, if sharp enough) hooks and thinner lines (cast better). So, it all depends on the size of the fish you're after. The thinner hooks bend, even with a 4 pounder, and I just bend them back. Here in California, it's not a big deal. Sometimes, I catch 7 or 8 pounders, and hooks bend a little, but it's not like catching hundreds of 4 to 8lbs bass in a few days in Mexico. After catching enough decent fish, the hooks wear out. I did wear out a 2x Strong Gamakatsu treble hook one a few times in Mexico. They just broke. If I was smart enough, I replaced them, before they break, but you know how it goes.
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