Fishing Tip#3 – Choosing the Right Fishing Hook & Line

Whether you are an amateur angler or a professional deep sea fisherman, the type and quality of the fishing hook you use can mean the difference between fishing success and failure. With so many different sorts of hooks on the market, making the decision what sort of hook to use can be overwhelming. These tips will help you make an informed choice before casting your line.

1. Evaluate the physical characteristics of the fish. Bigger fish call for a larger, harder hook. 
2. Choose the right size hook for the bait you will be using. The hook should be large enough to hold the bait and hook the fish. Shorter shank hooks, for example, are not as easily detectable by the fish as longer shank hooks when using live bait. 
3. Determine the size of your fishing line. A heavy gauge line can easily force a heavy hook to penetrate the jaw. A small wire hook will be bent straight without even piercing the fish if used with heavy line. 
4. Decide whether any fish caught will be released. Barbless hooks and circle hooks are often the choice to aid the release of fish. Kahle hooks, however, are more deadly and are not appropriate for catch-release fishing. 

If a hook has been swallowed deeply by a fish, do not try to remove the hook. Cut the line as close to the hook as possible and release the fish. The hook is believed to gradually wear away in the water.

Whether you are an amateur angler or a professional deep sea fisherman, the type and quality of the fishing line you use can mean the difference between fishing success and failure. With so many different sorts of line on the market, choosing which line to use for which conditions can be daunting. These tips will help any angler make an informed decision.

1. Decide where you will fish. Areas with heavy vegetation call for a tough, thin line, like braid or fusion. Fluorocarbon lines are a great choice for clear water, as they refract light and become invisible beneath the surface. Monofilament lines work well in rough, rocky areas as do braid and fusion lines. 
2. Determine the amount of stretch you need. The more a line stretches, the more forgiveness you will get when reeling in a big fish. Less stretch means more sensitivity. Monofilament line offers a 15 to 30 percent stretch. Fluorocarbon provides less stretch, and braid has none. 
3. Choose a reel. Spin cast reels are best suited to a thin, limp line. A stiffer line works better on bait casting reels. 
4. Consider visibility. Opt for a clear line when fishing in clear waters like streams or lakes. Choose a dark green line for waters with heavy vegetation. Dark or muddy waters call for a brown line. Fluorescent lines, designed for increased visibility by the fisherman, are available yet appear to be just as visible to the fish. 

Fishing line ages quickly so buy from stores that sell a high volume and turn over products quickly.