Hook Size Chart

Recommended hook size by fish, with numbering guide

Hook size by fish
Recommended size
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⚠️ Hook sizing differs by system — freshwater hooks get bigger as the gauge rises, while sea hooks (#) get smaller as the number rises. Even at the same number, actual size differs by maker and hook type, so the table is a general reference.
Reference (fish ↔ size)
Crucian carp#2-5 small / #6-9 mid / #10-13 large
Carp#12-17
Sea bream#2-5
Rockfish/Flounder#13-20
Red seabream#10-15
Bass (lure)#1-4/0 offset
Hook types & target fish
Hook typeMain targetNotes
Crucian carp hookCrucian carp, carp (freshwater)Long thin shank, good for paste/worm bait
Chinu (black seabream) hookBlack seabreamShort shank, strong bend, surf & rock
Grease (rabbitfish) hookRabbitfish, halfbeakFine wire for easy inhaling, light rigs
Iseama-type hookRed seabream, parrotfish, big fishWide gap, heavy wire for big mouths
Seigo hookSea bass, rockfishLong and strong, bait or lure
Ajing/rockfish hookRockfish, horse mackerelVery small and light for subtle bites
※ Even within one type, shape and sizing vary by brand and series. Choose by target fish.
⚠️ Hook sizes have no unified international standard, so the same size number can differ in actual size by maker and hook pattern. Recommended sizes by species are common ranges; adjust one or two sizes up or down for fish size and activity. calcstool.com assumes no liability for tackle choices or fishing outcomes based on these results.
FAQ
Does a bigger number mean a bigger hook?
It depends on the system. Freshwater hooks get bigger as the gauge rises, while some sea hooks (#) get smaller as the number rises.
What size for crucian carp?
Roughly #2-5 (small), #6-9 (mid), #10-13 (large), varying by maker and hook type.
Same number = same size?
No. The same number differs in real size across hook types and makers, so the chart is a reference.

Hook Size

Hook sizing is the most confusing part because the systems are not unified. Freshwater hooks get bigger as the gauge rises, while some sea hooks (#) get smaller as the number rises. This chart lists commonly used sizes by fish for reference.

Chinu vs rabbitfish hooks

Chinu (black seabream) hooks have a short shank and strong bend for surf and rock fishing, while rabbitfish hooks use fine wire so the fish inhales them easily. Red seabream are usually fished with wide-gap, heavy Iseama-type hooks.

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