Hooks

Learn How To Buy Fishing Hooks

Reel in your next trophy catch with the help of performance fishing hooks from DICK’S Sporting Goods.

The right hook provides the durability and fighting power you need for your next trip to the water. Select your next fishing hook based on your specific bait, line and game fish. Remember, many anglers keep a variety of hooks ready in their tackle box for anything Mother Nature might throw their way.

From crappie to steelhead, you’ll make a catch worth remembering with fishing hooks from brands like Owner®, Matzuo® and Gamakatsu®.

First, learn about the anatomy of your fishing hook:

• The hook eye is the metal hole used for knotting your hook and line. They come in ring, taper and needle models.
• The shank is the straight portion of your hook. Short shanks are commonly used for fly fishing, while all-purpose medium shanks are better suited for most types of general freshwater fishing. Large shanks are used for larger species of fish.
• The hook gape is the empty space between the hook’s shaft and point. Larger gapes are required for larger species of fish.
The hook point is the sharp end of the hook. Fishing hook barbs are often located at the end of the point, designed to penetrate the fish.

Next, learn about the different types of fishing hooks available:

• Baitholder Hooks: This type of hook has a long shaft and rounded hook point to topped with a sharp barb.
• Worm Hooks: Heavy duty enough to deeply penetrate fish, they’re best used on large species with a lot of fighting power. Worm hooks are frequently used for “Texas rigging,” in which anglers place the point of the bait directly into the body of the worm.
• Jig Hooks: Jig hooks are any hook that’s been molded into a shape for a special application. These hooks are used for both live baits and soft plastics.
• Aberdeen Hooks: Crafted of a thin wire, these hooks leave minimal damage to keep your game fish lively.