Success in fishing is equally determined by the professionalism of the fisherman and rationally selected gear. Sometimes it depends more on the smallest component - a fishing hook - than on the rest of the equipment.
Structure
The structure of the hook is:
- Head. Functional part, place for thread mounting. Visually it can consist of an eye or scapula, and instead of them it can contain notches for attaching a very thin fishing line.
- Forend. The working axis, which determines the distance between the head and the pallet. For plant baits, it’s actually short, while planting a worm is better on an elongated forend.
- Prying off. Hook-shaped bend. The shape may be semicircular or angular.
- The sting. The sharp part, which provides hooking and retention of prey. The most common are single, double and triple instances. “Peaceful” fish are caught on a single hook, while pike perch, bream, perch, pike are advisable to fish on doubles and tees.
The size of fishing hooks is the main characteristic that guides anglers. The concept implies the distance between the forend and the tip of the sting, which is usually called the width.
The tackle market is characterized by a wide variety, depending on the sharpness and type of the tip, the shape of the head and hook. The most informative distinguishing factors are:
- Sizes of fishing hooks.
- The thickness and length of the forearm.
Numbering
In order to simplify the understanding of the existing diversity, it is customary to distinguish the sizes of fishing hooks by numbers. For the domestic system, it is customary to number them depending on the distance between the forend and the sting, which is called the width. So, hook No. 3 has a width of 3 mm, and No. 7 has a width of 7 mm. These principles are clear to all fishermen.
Difficulties arise with the international notation. It has reverse numbering, based on the principles of comparing the dimensions of a real product with certain regulatory values. In fact, the reverse order of numbers takes place. At the same time, the modern version has an expanded range of capabilities, which allows you to produce both very small hooks up to size 32, and very large ones - up to size 20/0.
In order to know how to determine the size of a fishing hook of a foreign manufacturer, you need to understand the correspondence between the Russian and international systems.
An indicative hook numbering table is shown below.
Width mm | Russian marking | International marking |
1.7 | - | 24 |
2 | - | 22 |
3 | 2 | 17 |
4 | 4 | thirteen |
5 | 5 | 10 |
6 | 6 | 8 |
7 | 7 | 6 |
8 | 8 | 4 |
9 | - | 2 |
10 | 10 | 1 |
12 | 12 | 1/0 |
14 | 14 | 2/0 |
At the same time, the foreign system is only indicative, and manufacturers label their products in their own way, based on the standard.
The size of the fishing hooks, as well as the number of sub-hooks, must fully comply with the fishing conditions, as well as the parametric and characteristic features of the fish. So, for catching small crucian carp on a fishing rod, the smallest one-day specimens are suitable, and for fishing a large predator - medium and large “tees”.
Russian marking
Given the diversity of gear of this type, the numbering of fishing hooks in size is not basic. Important characteristics that the manufacturer and consumer pay attention to are also the forearm thickness and the total length of the product.
In the standard designation, its type is most often indicated. Visually, the hooks differ in the shape of the bend of the catch, the nature of the bend and the type of head, in color and material.
The Roman numeral I denotes one-bent, with one pod with a head in the form of a spatula.
II - differs from the first sample by the presence of a ring for attaching fishing line.
III - a two-bent hook with a spatula-shaped head.
IV - the same, but with a ringlet.
An example of full marking in the domestic version:
II- # 5-0.3-10,
where 0.3 is the diameter of the forend, mm;
10 - the total length of the product, mm
The thickness of the forearm and the material of the product are complementary characteristics: sufficiently thick, made of low-quality metal can manifest itself an order of magnitude worse than thin, high-strength gear.
Production features
All fishing hooks can be made in two ways: forging or stamping. Forged products are more reliable and catchy, but the price often contributes to the advantage stamped over them. The latter can often serve almost at the level if all the ratios are taken into account: forend thickness, material, sizes of fishing hooks and their shape, features of the desired prey.
The international designation necessarily includes relevant information regarding all the nuances.
- Material: Stainless steel - stainless steel, Hi carbon - high carbon, Vanadium - wear-resistant steel alloyed with vanadium.
- The color scheme and the option of external coating: N - nickel-plated, BN - black nickel, PS - tinned, G - "gilded", BK - burnished dark.
- Sharpening method: chemical (Cut point), mechanical (Cone cat), pressed (Needle Cone).
It is rational to give preference to wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant well-sharpened hooks, the color corresponding to the bait used, the characteristics of the bottom and the reservoir as a whole.
The choice of each fisherman is quite individual, based on knowledge, experience and personal beliefs. A precisely selected, efficient and catchy hook is an indicator of experience, professionalism and the share of luck of its owner.