Many people will be willing to invest two hundred to four dollars in a quality combo rod and reel used with a bad hook. One of the essential fishing equipment to successfully catch a fish is the use of suitable hooks. So, what is the walleye hook size for every angler?
Walleye fishing has become the most popular fishing trip nowadays. It would help if you used the technique and right hooks to catch walleyes properly to succeed. A size 8 to 10 treble hook or size 2 to 6 single hook are the ideal all-around hook sizes for walleye fishing. Now we will detail what the walleye hook size for every angler is. And how it combines with different types of walleye fishing baits and techniques.
What Is The Walleye Hook Size For Every Angler?
You need to consider two essential things with every hook you want to use for fishing: design and size. The design should match the type and size of fish you want to catch. And if the size is wrong, it is challenging for you to catch a lot of fish.
For walleye fishing, a size 8 to 10 treble hook or size 2 to 6 single hook are the ideal all-around hook sizes.
Suppose you’re mainly targeting giant walleyes over 10 pounds. Slightly larger hooks may be favourable because they help you catch more fish. A large walleye can straighten a little hook. A large walleye can straighten a little hook. However, this is uncommon, especially if you lure the fish and take the time to pull a big walleye before bringing it to the net.
In addition to getting the right size, your hook must be sharp. You can sharpen it if it is not enough. This is important because it is this sharpness that causes the hook to stick and pierce the fish’s mouth.
What Kind Of Walleye Hook Should You Use?
The following are the three best hook types for walleye:
- Octopus hook
- Treble hook
- Slow death hook
Octopus Hook Size For Walleye
Octopus hooks are the most popular hook for walleye fishing and are effective with live bait presentations. The most suitable octopus hook size for walleye is 2, 4, or 6, ideal for minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers. With sensitive walleye, reducing to a smaller size six can be beneficial.
When fishing with leeches, use a size 4 or 6 octopus hook and put the hook through the thick sucker at the leech’s end, allowing it to wriggle around easily in the water.
When fishing for walleye with live minnows, use a size 2 or 4 octopus hook through the upper mouth or right behind the dorsal fin. A size one or perhaps 1/0 is better if you’re using large shiners or chub.
Bait keeper octopus hooks with additional barbs on their shank are recommended for using worms. This will keep the worm from slumping down the shank and clustering around a tight ball at the end. You can tie a nightcrawler onto a size two octopus hook or a 2-inch worm fragment onto a size four hook.
Treble Hook Size For Walleye
The Treble hook is an excellent type of hooking and landing walleye. The preferred treble hook size for walleye is 8 to 10, although you can use size 12 to 14 trebles with little minnows or catch picky walleye.
A small drawback is that treble hooks are naturally heavier and bigger than single hooks. It decelerates your live bait and makes it more noticeable in the water.
In most situations, you won’t have trouble hooking walleye with a single sharp hook, so treble hooks are unnecessary for many anglers. But, when using a stinger hook on a spinner rig, a treble is the best.
You can also use size 14 with smaller baits or size 8 for large walleye. But the optimum stinger hook size for walleye is 10 to 12. A stinger is a treble hook attached by your primary bait with a small piece of line to trail after its retrieval.
Stinger hooks attract fish that usually nipple at the bait. They’re a good choice if you receive a lot of short strikes. The fish will not be hooked with subtle bites with finicky fish. Stinger hooks are always called treble hooks and are used with live bait spinner rigs for walleye. Besides there, they can also be effective with jigs and swimbaits.
Related post:
- 7 Most Important Rigs For Walleye (Walleye Rigging Guide)
- Best Spinning Reel For Walleye – Top Best Walley Spinning
Slow Dead Hook Size For Walleye
This type got its natural name because the bait moves very slowly, and anything that comes close to the bait will die. To make it easier to use, the slow dead hook manufacturer recommends using a size 2 hook instead of the smaller sizes 4 and 6.
First, you thread a worm into a slow dead hook. When getting used to it, you’ll discover it’s not as easy as you think. To properly thread the chain on the sprocket. You need to hold it gently with the thread tip sticking out between your thumb and forefinger; if you squeeze too tight, the worm won’t get twisted. Next, push the hook end into the nose of the sprocket and slide the shank through until the tip covers the hook eye. Then, pinch the tail so that about a third of the sprocket is behind the hook.
Hook Size For Walleye Jig
The ideal walleye jig hook size is 1 to 1/0. In contrast, finesse jigs and lightweight presentations might be suitable for a smaller size 2 hook. If you can’t choose between several hook sizes at a tackle store, you may have a chance to increase your hook-up rate if you make your jigs with larger hooks.
For Walleye Ice Fishing, What Size Hook Should You Use?
The smaller hook sizes are preferable in the open water season because walleye eat less in the winter. It takes more time to scrutinize your bait before deciding whether or not to eat it. So the recommended hook size for walleye ice fishing is 2, 4, or 6.
The suitable size treble hook for walleye tip-ups is 10 to 12 inches. Single hooks are much preferable for keeping the fish alive. I would rather use size 4 or 6 circle hooks with walleye tip-ups for a facile hook, even though the flag is floating up and the fish is pulled in slowly.
For A Crawler Harness, What Size Hooks Should You Use?
The great choice for walleye crawler harness hook size is 2 to 4 because the smaller hook is tougher for walleye to spot. The fish are reluctant to decide whether to eat your bait. Anglers prefer to use a size 2 at the front of the harness and a size 4 at the back.
You may make a walleye worm harness by tying three hooks together. It is a nice alternative when utilizing a large nightcrawler. Although another way is to use size 2 hooks to rig the crawler, and the final one is a stinger.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hook size will determine whether you have an enjoyable fishing experience. The article “what is the walleye hook size for every angler?” provides detailed information on the three types of hooks to master the walleye game. Besides the cost of the rod, reel, lines, and boat, spending a little extra money on the hook make much sense as it helps get more fish into the boat.
