Learn

Hooks, up close.

The parts of a hook, the patterns that matter on a South African beach, and a rough size guide. Sizes vary between brands, so always check the packet.
Parts of a hook: eye, shank, bend, gape, point and barb1Eye2Shank3Bend4Gape5Point6Barb

Anatomy

Six parts that decide how a hook behaves

  1. 1

    Eye. Where the line ties on. Ringed, tapered and straight eyes all suit different knots.

  2. 2

    Shank. The straight part. Longer shanks hold longer baits; shorter shanks are stronger.

  3. 3

    Bend. The curve at the bottom. A rounder bend usually holds a fish better.

  4. 4

    Gape. The gap between the point and the shank. A wider gape hooks bigger mouthfuls of bait.

  5. 5

    Point. The sharp end. Test it on your thumbnail: a sharp point catches and does not slide.

  6. 6

    Barb. The small flap behind the point that stops the hook backing out. Crush it down to fish barbless.

Patterns

Eight hook patterns, and when to use each

Each drawing shows the shape of the wire, the point and the barb.

  • J hook drawing

    J hook

    Also called O'Shaughnessy, Siwash

    The classic hook shape. The point sits parallel to the shank, so you need to set it with a firm strike.

    • Penetrates well on a strike
    • Strong forged versions hold big fish
    • Easy to bait

    Watch out: Fish swallow it more often than they do a circle hook, so it is harder to release a fish unharmed.

    Baits: Sardine, Chokka, Prawn. Species: KobElfLeervis

    Tie with: Uni knot

  • Circle hook drawing

    Circle hook

    The point curls back towards the shank. The hook slides to the corner of the mouth as the fish turns, so it usually hooks there.

    • Hooks in the corner of the mouth
    • Good for catch and release
    • Less likely to be swallowed

    Watch out: Do not strike hard. Let the fish load the rod and wind steadily.

    Baits: Fillet baits, Whole sardine, Live bait. Species: Bronze whalerRaggieKob

    Tie with: Palomar knot

  • Octopus hook drawing

    Octopus hook

    A short shank with an offset or slightly beaked point. A general purpose bait hook found on many snelled traces.

    • Wide gape for the shank length
    • Strong for its size
    • Sits well in smaller baits

    Watch out: A short shank can be hard to hold with a fat bait; use a pattern one size up.

    Baits: Prawn, Red bait, Mussel. Species: Spotted grunterBlacktailGaljoen

    Tie with: Snell knot

  • Baitholder hook drawing

    Baitholder hook

    Also called Beak hook

    Like an octopus hook, with small barbs on the shank that stop soft baits sliding down towards the bend.

    • Holds soft baits in place
    • Good for worms, prawn and sardine fillet

    Watch out: Shank barbs can tear very delicate baits, and are slower to remove.

    Baits: Bloodworm, Prawn, Sardine fillet. Species: BlacktailWhite steenbrasSpotted grunter

    Tie with: Snell knot

  • Long shank hook drawing

    Long shank hook

    Also called Aberdeen, Limerick

    A long straight shank with a small bend. Long enough to lace a whole baitfish, and easy to remove from a toothy mouth.

    • Fits long baits
    • Easy to remove
    • The long shank can keep teeth off the line

    Watch out: The long shank gives fish more leverage, so use a heavier wire.

    Baits: Whole sardine, Chokka strip, Worms. Species: ElfKob

    Tie with: Uni knot

  • Kahle hook drawing

    Kahle hook

    A wide gape with a deep round bend and a short in-line shank. Common in live bait and float fishing.

    • Deep, wide bend
    • Holds a hooked fish well
    • Good with live bait

    Watch out: Needs the right hook set: lift the rod to set it, do not strike.

    Baits: Live prawn, Small live fish, Mullet. Species: LeervisElf

    Tie with: Palomar knot

  • Suicide hook drawing

    Suicide hook

    A wide gape with a straight in-line eye and a slightly offset point. A South African favourite for kob and steenbras baits.

    • Wide gape for big baits
    • Strong and sharp
    • Sets easily with a short strike

    Watch out: The name comes from fish swallowing them. Check the local rules on gut hooked fish and handle them carefully.

    Baits: Chokka, Sardine, Mackerel head. Species: KobWhite steenbras

    Tie with: Snell knot

  • Treble hook drawing

    Treble hook

    Three hooks on one shank. Used on lures, where the extra points boost hook-up on short strikes.

    • Excellent hook-up on lures
    • Good for fast-moving fish

    Watch out: Three points can snag in rocks, and are harder on fish. Use barbless or crushed barbs if you plan to release.

    Baits: Lures. Species: ElfLeervis

    Tie with: Uni knot

Sizes

Hook size guide

A rough guide only. Pending review by a local angler.

Hook sizes with rough fish weight, baits and targets
SizeFish weightTypical baitsTypical targets
1/00.3 to 2 kgPrawn, small sardine stripBlacktail, small grunter
2/00.5 to 3 kgPrawn, mussel, red baitGrunter, white steenbras, galjoen
3/01 to 5 kgSardine, chokka stripKob, white steenbras
4/02 to 8 kgSardine, chokka, mackerelKob, elf, galjoen
5/03 to 12 kgWhole sardine, chokkaKob, elf, leervis
6/05 to 18 kgFillet bait, whole mackerel headLeervis, big kob
8/015 to 40 kgLarge fillet, whole bonitoBronze whaler, small raggie
10/030 to 80 kgWhole fish, large filletsRaggie, bronze whaler
12/050 to 120 kgWhole fishLarge shark

Good to know

Hook tips

  • Size numbers run opposite ways. For sizes with a slash, such as 4/0, a higher number is a bigger hook. For plain numbers, such as 4, a higher number is a smaller hook.

  • Hook sizes are not standard between brands, so check the packet against your bait.

  • Replace hooks that are rusty, bent or dull. Test the point on your thumbnail.

  • Match the hook gauge to your line: a hook that is too heavy for the bait will not stay hooked, and one that is too light may straighten.

  • Stainless hooks last longer in salt water, but they will not corrode away if a fish swallows one. Check the rules for the fish you target.

Strengths

  • Sharp points hook more fish
  • The right size matches bait and species

Watch out for

  • Rust and dull points lose fish
  • Oversized hooks reduce bites