U.K. Sea Fishing FAQ   -   Pysgota Mor y Deyrnas Gyfunol

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UK Sea Fishing General Tackle
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7. Tackle
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  7.3 General Tackle
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    7.3.1 How do the numbers for hook sizes work?
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      Hooks are numbered from 32 to 1, with size 32 being the smallest,
      and 1 the largest. Then the numbering goes from 1/O upwards, the greater
      the number before the "O" the larger the hook.
      The "/O" stands for ocean.
      Most sea fishing uses hooks between 10 for mullet to 12/O for sharks.
      A 6/O hook is pronounced as a "six Oh"

      Different manufacturers use the same number scale, but a 2/0 of the same
      pattern from different manufacturers may differ in size.
      Most notably for U.K. anglers Hooks made by Partridge and Cox & Rawle are
      about two sizes smaller than the equivalent size Mustad hook.

    7.3.2 There are many hook patterns available, which do you recommend?
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      Basically all hooks are designed to do the same thing, but variations in
      shank length, wire gauge, bend and offset have lead to a enormous number
      of hook patterns. All these variations can be simplified into three basic
      categories: light, medium and heavy.

      Suggested patterns
        Light Hooks - Usually used in sizes up to 3/0
          Mustad Aberdeen 3282       Long shank, round bend, straight
          Mustad Nordic Bend 4446B   Long shank, limerick bend, kirbed
          Kamasan B940 Aberdeen      Long shank, high carbon, black

        Medium Hooks - Usually used in sizes 1/0 to 6/0
          Mustad Aberdeen 3261 BLN  Stronger than 3282 Aberdeen
          Mustad Nordic Bend 4447B  Forged, heavier wire than 4446B
          Mustad Viking 79510       Forged, round bend, turned down eye
          Mustad Viking 79515       Forged, round bend, straight eye

        Heavy Hooks - Usually used in sizes 4/0 upwards
          Mustad O'Shaughnessy 3406    Heavy gauge, forged, bronzed
          Mustad O'Shaughnessy 3407    Heavy gauge, forged, duratin
          Mustad O'Shaughnessy 34007   Heavy gauge, forged, stainless
          Mustad Seamaster 7699D       Very Heavy, forged, kirbed, shark hook
          Mustad Seademon  7731D       Very Heavy, forged, straight, shark hook

    7.3.3 Flourescent lines are very popular, does line colour matter?
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      Personally I prefer to use clear line, but there are times when
      coloured lines are useful.

      If you fish an area with very coloured water, like the Bristol
      Channel, then line colour makes little difference, since the
      visibility is about 12 inches. If the water you fish is crystal clear
      then the line colour can make a great difference to catches.

      When fishing in clear water, I would not recommend using flourescent
      line as it is so visible. At least I would ensure that all hook traces
      and leaders are clear. Some beach anglers prefer the bright lines as
      they can see the line easily, especially when night fishing. If you
      want to use these lines, then use a clear shock leader, so the line
      near the bait is not visible.

      The problem of visibility does not only affect the bright lines. Some
      charter skippers I know will only use mackerel feathers tied on clear
      line as they get poorer catches if the line is coloured.

      One occasion where brightly coloured lines are very useful is when
      practice casting over grass. If a flourescent yellow or orange shock
      leader is used, it is very easy to find any crack-offs.

      Another factor is the fact that any colour is a dye added to the
      nylon monofilament and as such must alter the specification of the
      line slightly. This means that the performance of the same brand of
      line in different colours may vary slightly .

Jun 9 1998, 12:00 am

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