Learn everything about fishing hooks, what they are, how they work, types, sizes, and how to make your own for survival or everyday fishing.
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Fishing Hooks 101: Understanding, Choosing, and Using Fishing Hooks
If you’ve never fished before, a fishing kit might be a bit daunting, and a hook might look like nothing more than a tiny piece of bent metal. But that small piece of metal is what turns an idea into a catch. Once you understand what a hook does, why it’s shaped the way it is, and how to choose the right one, you’ll have one of the most important fishing skills there is — the ability to actually connect with a fish.
This guide starts at square one and walks you through what every beginner needs to know.
What Is a Fishing Hook?
A fishing hook is a small, strong, sharply pointed piece of metal that’s tied to the end of your fishing line. Its job is simple — hold bait, grab the fish when it bites, and keep it from slipping off.
Every hook has the same basic parts:
Eye: The loop where your line ties on.
Shank: The straight part that connects the eye to the bend.
Bend: The curved section that gives the hook its shape.
Point: The sharp end that pierces the fish’s mouth.
Barb: A tiny backward spike that keeps the hook from sliding out once set.
The design hasn’t changed much in thousands of years — because it works.
How a Hook Works
When you cast your line, the bait hides or hangs from the hook. A fish sees or smells the bait and bites. As the fish turns to swim away, tension pulls the hook against its mouth. The sharp point slips in, the barb catches, and the fish stays on the line.
That’s the whole idea, but to increase your chances for success, the hook has to be the right size, sharp enough, and matched to your bait and target fish.
Why Hook Size Matters
Hook size is the most important it affects everything, what bait you can use, what fish you can catch, and how well the hook sets.
Small hooks fit small fish and delicate bait.
Large hooks handle big fish or thick bait.
Hook sizes are numbered in a slightly confusing way:
The higher the number, the smaller the hook (a size 12 is tiny).
Once you get into large hooks, you’ll see “aught” sizes like 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 — those get bigger as the number rises.
You don’t have to memorize charts — just remember: small bait, small hook. Big bait, big hook.
How to Match Hook, Bait, and Fish
The hook should fit the bait naturally and still leave the point exposed. If it’s buried too deep, you won’t hook the fish. If it’s too big, fish will ignore it.
Here’s a quick reference:
Type of Fish
Hook Size
Example Bait
Bluegill, Crappie
#10–#6
Worms, insects, corn
Bass, Trout
#6–#2
Worms, minnows, soft plastics
Catfish, Pike
1/0–4/0
Cut bait, large worms, chunks of fish
You’ll figure out the feel with time. The key is balance — the bait should look natural in the water.
Common Hook Types and When to Use Them
There are dozens of hook designs, but most beginners only need to know a few. Don't over worry, or overthink this part, choosing the right hook just increases your chances of success, generally you can use several different types of hooks and successfully catch fish. Think of these like different tools for the same job.
Bait Holder Hook: The standard starter hook. Has small barbs on the shank to hold worms or dough bait in place. It helps hold bait more securely.
Worm Hook: Has a wide gap so soft plastics or live worms fit without bunching up. Great for bass.
Circle Hook: Curves inward so it hooks the fish in the corner of the mouth — perfect for catch-and-release.
Aberdeen Hook: Thin wire hook with a long shank, good for live bait like minnows or crickets.
Treble Hook: Three hooks joined together. Used mostly on artificial lures for a better chance to snag fast-moving fish.
Weedless Hook: Has a small wire guard that prevents snagging in weeds or brush.
Siwash Hook: A single long hook used to replace trebles on lures — easier to remove and safer for the fish.
You don’t need every kind. For most freshwater fishing, a mix of Bait Holder, Circle, and Aberdeen hooks covers nearly everything, but in a pinch, the hook you have on hand is always better than no hook at all, so don't worry too much if you don't have all the options.
Most hooks are made from steel in some form or fashion. Some are coated with nickel, tin, or black oxide to prevent rust.
High-carbon steel hooks are strong and sharp.
Stainless steel hooks resist corrosion — perfect for saltwater or survival kits that may sit for years.
If you’re building a small kit for everyday carry, stainless hooks are your best bet.
Improvised Hooks: When You Don’t Have a Store-Bought One
If you ever find yourself without a store-bought hook — whether your gear was lost, you’re testing your skills, or you’re in a survival situation — don’t panic. You can make a working fishing hook from everyday materials. It doesn’t have to be pretty; it just has to function.
A good hook only needs three things:
A sharp point to pierce the fish’s mouth.
A curve or angle to hold once it catches.
Enough strength not to bend or break when the fish pulls.
If you can create those three elements, you can catch fish — even with improvised tools.
Before metal was common, fishing hooks were carved by hand — often from bone, wood, shell, or antler. These carved hooks might look primitive, but they’re proof that good design doesn’t need fancy tools. When made correctly, they can catch fish just as effectively as modern steel hooks.
Cut the Shape: Carve a small “J” or curved shape from your chosen material — about the size of your thumbnail for small fish.
Sharpen the Point: Carefully shave one end to a fine tip; polish against a rock or sand for smoothness.
Add an Eye or Notch: Drill, carve, or burn a small hole at the top to tie your line securely, or cut a shallow groove and lash the line around it.
Smooth the Surface: Sand or polish rough spots so bait and line don’t snag.
A carved hook won’t look perfect, and that’s fine. What matters is that it holds under pressure and stays sharp enough to catch. In survival fishing, reliability beats beauty every time.
Choosing Your Material
Pick something hard, dense, and smooth.
Bone: from leftover food or scavenged remains; easy to carve and polish.
Hardwood: like oak, hickory, or mesquite — shape carefully and fire-harden the tip.
Antler or Horn: extremely durable and strong, ideal for large hooks.
Shell or Coral: sharp edges and natural curves make great small hooks for shallow fishing.
Testing and Adjusting Improvised Hooks
Before trusting your hook to hold dinner, always test it.
Step 1: Tie the hook to your line securely.
Step 2: Hook it into a piece of wood or cloth.
Step 3: Pull steadily. If it bends or breaks, reforge, rebend, or choose a stronger material.
Even a rough, dull hook that stays together is more useful than a sharp one that snaps.
Improvised Hook Tips for Success
Always leave the point exposed. Covered points don’t hook fish.
If the hook looks too shiny, dull it with dirt or soot.
Smaller hooks are easier to make and more forgiving than large ones.
Keep a few safety pins or sewing needles in your survival kit — they can double as hooks or repairs.
The most important part isn’t perfection — it’s that the hook stays together under tension.
How to Know if a Hook Is Sharp Enough
(Very) Gently drag the point across your thumbnail. If it slides, it’s dull. If it bites immediately, it’s sharp.
You can touch up dull hooks with a small file, hook sharpener, or sharpening stone. Always check before fishing.
Hook Care and Storage
Keep hooks dry, separated, and protected. Moisture can dull or rust them quickly. A small waterproof tin or a Fishing Card Tool keeps them organized, sharp, and ready to use — even in your wallet.
Why This Skill Matters
Fishing hooks are one of the simplest, most valuable tools in existence. They can feed you in an emergency, teach patience and focus, and connect you to a skill as old as survival itself.
Knowing how a hook works — and how to make or choose one — turns a handful of small metal pieces into confidence, independence, and food on the table.
At Grim Workshop, we design tools that make real-world skills possible anywhere. Our products are built for people who believe that being prepared doesn’t mean being weighed down. Every Grim tool is made in the USA and designed in Texas with one goal — to make survival, outdoors, and everyday problem-solving easier.
Our Fishing Cards, PAK Tools, and Micro Fishing Kits turn your wallet or keychain into a working tackle box. You don’t need bulky gear to be ready — just a few smart tools and the knowledge to use them.
Grim tools are more than metal; they’re confidence you can carry.
Fishing Hooks FAQ
Q: What does a fishing hook actually do? A: A fishing hook holds your bait and catches the fish when it bites. The sharp point pierces the fish’s mouth, and a small backward-facing barb helps keep it from slipping off once hooked.
Q: How do I know which hook size to use? A: Small bait and small fish need small hooks (sizes #10–#6). Larger fish or thicker bait need larger hooks (sizes #4–1/0 or bigger). The bait should fit naturally on the hook without hiding the point.
Q: What’s the difference between hook types? A: Each hook design serves a purpose.
Bait holder hooks grip worms and dough bait.
Circle hooks set themselves in the fish’s mouth.
Treble hooks are for lures that move fast.
Aberdeen hooks hold delicate live bait. Different shapes change how the hook sets and how well it holds the fish.
Q: How do I tell if my hook is sharp enough? A: Lightly drag the tip across your thumbnail. If it scratches or catches right away, it’s sharp. If it slides, it needs sharpening with a small file or stone.
Q: What are fishing hooks made from? A: Most are made of steel — either high-carbon for strength or stainless steel for rust resistance. Stainless hooks are best for long-term kits or saltwater use.
Q: Can I make my own fishing hook if I don’t have one? A: Yes! You can bend safety pins, thorns, or small pieces of wire into a hook shape. Ancient hooks were carved from bone or wood. As long as it’s strong, pointed, and curved, it can work.
Q: How many hooks should I keep in a survival kit? A: A handful of sizes covers most needs — a few small hooks (#10–#6), a few medium hooks (#6–#2), and one or two larger hooks (1/0–2/0). That mix lets you fish in almost any environment.
Q: Why does this skill matter? A: Knowing how to use or make a fishing hook can feed you anywhere. It’s a small piece of gear with huge value — one that turns knowledge into food, independence, and peace of mind.
