Size Hooks?

[APJ]

Headed up to a lake opening this weekend. I generally use size 4 snell hooks the big togue I have caught were barely lip hooked which is good because I could release them nice and quick but have lost more than caught. Should I be using a bigger hook like a size 2..fishing with 4+" Shiners and suckers I hate leaving a hook in a fish do circle hooks work well ice fishing..If so what size?  Thanks

Where your going.. stick with the #4 they work well  #6 or 8 for salmon 

[fishless12]

Depends on the type of hook, too.

Size 6 is fine for brookies I use the Gamagatzu ones and they're pretty low profile. For togue I'll run size 4 for most baits, but larger, more sturdy hooks for the larger baits.

[HUNTnFISHSD]

With big bait you can still use small hooks.

[MadSledder]

I generally use #6 eagle claw bait holders (not that I need the bait holders for shiner and smelt but whatever). If I'm targeting large touge or pike I may step up to a 4 or 2.  With touge/brookies/salmon and I plan on releasing a lot of fish tough, I step down to #8 at biggest. I hope for a lip hook, but if they swallow it, I just snip the line and hope the smaller hook causes less harm.

I experimented with circles for a time but was unhappy, and went back to J hooks. Ive had fewer "gushers" when using small hook sizes, and still have good hookup ratios. I reason that cutting the line on a small hook must be better than a large hook for the fish, although I have no idea if there is any difference in long term survival to back that up.

[HUNTnFISHSD]

 I use #4 Mustad Bronze Snelled Hooks. They work great for pike fishing an they will rust away in less than a week when directly in water. They are the best for catch and release.

[Dags Bait Maine]

Caught in late July.  I have no way of knowing for sure but I suspect it was released during icefishing season.

(Image removed from quote.)

Was that DB Smelt purple on the other side?/ My favorite... Marcel

[lunkahville]

I generally use #6 for trout and salmon but will change over to a #2 when togue fishing. The few togue I have caught on the "big" hooks have never been gill or gut hooked.

[HUNTnFISHSD]

 Here is what I use.