Hooks, by the job.
The wall of hooks in a tackle shop reduces to a handful of shapes once you know what each is FOR - a J-hook you set, a circle that sets itself, a worm hook that fishes weedless. Here are all 14 explained, with how to rig and size each. Once you've picked the shape, the hook-size chart gets the number right.
Point hooks The set-it-yourself and set-itself hooks - J, circle, octopus, Aberdeen.
Soft-plastic hooks Worm, jig, drop-shot, swimbait and wacky - the rigging engine of modern fishing.
Bait hooks Baitholder and Kahle - built to hold worms, cut and live bait.
Lure terminal hooks Trebles, Siwash singles and the barbless / single-hook conversions.
A hook is only half a rig
Which shape you pick depends on how you rig it - the rig catalog shows the whole business end, the hook-size chart nails the number, and the knot guides tie it on so it holds.
Hooks to keep on hand
Hook assortment Sizes 8 through 2/0 cover most freshwater work. Check price Circle hooks Corner-of-the-mouth hookups, easier releases. Check price Baitholder hooks The barbed shank keeps worms where you pinned them. Check price Hook sharpener A dull point costs more fish than any wrong lure. Check price
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