I also pour my own. I prefer tapered hooks as I mostly use tubes. An old timer once told me a larger hook (#2) means fewer missed strikes when vertical jigging. It could be my imagination but that theory is accurate at least for me. Smaller hooks seem to work well with less hang ups on cast and retrieve as the bites are usually more aggressive. If the fish seem finicky I will go to a #8 and a smaller tube or a 1" Gdaddy minnow. I consider a factory sharp hook to be dull and always sharpen my hooks. Just my two cents worth with change left over .