Thread: Hook size for Gills

I’m usually using a #8 sickle on what I pour but I have some 6’s and 10’s also. I get a lot of deep hooked fish on #10’s when they’re aggressive and missed fish when they’re tentative on 6’s. My #8’s have turned out to be a very good choice for where and how I fish. I’ll send you a few that I pour unpainted so that you can build what you like and see how they work for you, just say the word.

For the size of the micro-lures I cast, even #8 is too small and I like the hook to come out 1/3 from the front end of the body. My micros are no smaller than 3/4". Hook gap is a primary consideration and the hook point must be a decent distance from the body. I have fished 1/64 oz with #8 hook but found going that small didn't make a difference in the number of fish caught seeing as location is #1, lure choice #2 with wind a factor re: casting a distance.

As far as maximum casting distance is concerned, the heavier lures I pour are from using hard salt-water plastisol with salt added. Even the smallest lures cast a good distance due to lure weight compensating for light jig weight. The action of either action tail or no-tail shapes is not affected by plastic hardness and the drop weight is not a factor when twitching but appreciated in water deeper than 5'.