Hook sizing

[Roland58 0]

Is there an easy way to explain how hooks are sized? I know the bigger the number doesn't mean a bigger hook and in some cases, a smaller number does not mean a smaller hook. If someone has a reference or easy explanation, it would be greatly appreciated.

[tidewaterfly 0]

It's not really difficult to remember sizing. A size 1 is a larger hook than a size 2. As the whole numbers increase the size decreases.

A size 32 is about the smallest size you'll find and that's generally going to be a dry fly hook. Not all hook types are made in a wide range of sizes.

 

For sizes larger than a 1, they're designated with a /0 added. So a 1/0 is larger than a 1, and as the numbers with /0 behind increase the sizes increase. So a 10/0 is a much larger hook than a 1/0 and so forth.

 

Generally, you'll find sizes in the US from 1 & smaller are even numbered, and sizes in other parts of the world may be odd numbers. The only exception for the US is size 1.

 

None of this is law, so there can always be exceptions depending on the supplier you may deal with. I found a site online the other day that's in the US and selling some of the brands & sizes popular in Europe so they have both odd & even numbered hooks.

 

There's no definitive standard between hook manufacturers, so in a specific style from one maker, it may not be sized exactly the same as another makers similar style. Some will be very close however.

 

This all means as a tyer, we have to become familiar with the hooks we choose to use & how they compare between brands if we have to seek alternatives.

 

Perhaps flytire will post a reference chart! He always seems to know of such things!

[RickZieger 0]

Hooks with single numbers get small as the number increases. Hooks with a"?0" get larger as the size increases.

 

size in is larger than 4 is larger than 6 is larger than 8 and so on.

Size 2/0 is smaller than size 4/0 and so on.

Get a cataloge from Hagensfish.com They show hook sizes in it.

Hope this helps.

 

Rick

[Jaydub 0]

The hook size number generally refers to the gape of the hook. In addition to the size number you will see things like “2XL”, “1X fine” etc. These refer to deviations from a mythical standard hook. In theory a standard size 12 hook would have a specific gape, shank length and wire size. 1XL means the hook shank is one hook size longer than standard, 3XL is three sizes longer etc. 1X fine means the wire is one size smaller than standard and so forth. As Tidewater pointer out there is really no standard between manufacturers or even between different styles of a single manufacturer.

[utyer 0]

Hook "size" is a number assigned by the maker for the hook gap (distance between the shank and the point. There are several other sizing measurements that you need to also consider. Unfortunately sizing is NOT uniform from maker to maker although most are fairly close.

 

Take a "size" 10 as an example. It will have a set distance between the shank and the point (the size.) Then there is the shank length. The shank length is designated with an "X" number either Long or Short, usually stated as XL and XS followed by a numeral.

 

A size 10 4 XL hook will have a longer than a standard length shank. It is longer by 4 hook sizes. While most hooks only come in the even (or sometimes odd) numbers, each number is use when determining how much longer (or shorter,) the shank would be. A size 10 4 XL hook will have a shank length equal to a standard hook 4 sizes larger, or a shank length of a size 6 in this example.

 

Shorter size 10 hooks would be designated as a size 10 # XS. Long shank hooks could range from 1 XL to 10 XL, while short shank hooks usually range from 1 to 5 XS.

 

The next thing to consider is the "weight" of the hook. Each maker has a "standard" wire size for each size. A heavier or lighter hook in the same size would be designated with a numeral and XH or XF for extra heavy or extra fine. Again these wire sizes are like making a hook (say a size 10,) with wire usually used on a size 8. This would be a size 10 2 XH. A size 10 fine wire hook could be labeled as a size 10 2 XF.

 

The shape of the shank, bend, and point are also other things to consider; as well as the finish, and eye configuration.

 

You could buy a size 12 4 XL hook and find it is longer than your size 8 standard hooks.

 

Most manufacturers put a model number on their hooks and any given model number will have these other features on the package.

 

Clear as MUD right?

[SilverCreek 0]

Hook Size is the gape/gap as has been noted above.

 

Some of the other variables have been mentioned:

 

Wire diameter (XH, XF)

Shank length (XL, XS)

Hook Shape meaning the end in the shank like a scud hook

Shape of the bend like a model perfect bend or a limerick bend

Position of the hook eye

 

So it is pretty obvious that a size "12" hook can vary quite a bit.

 

 

[Roland58 0]

A hearty thanks to everyone. I guess, for now, I will just have to look at certain hooks and see if they fit my needs!

[SilverCreek 0]

Think of a hook as the skeleton for the body of the fly. It determines the shape of the body of most flies, so for dubbed body flies, the shape is important. Then match the length of the hook to match the length of the fly you want to tie.

 

For dry flies or any fly that floats by resting ON the surface as a hackled dry fly, consider buying a hook with a lighter wire gauge so less hook mass has to be supported by the fly. This is less critical for poppers and foam flies that use cork and foam to float by displacement IN the water like a boat.

 

For nymphs, streamers, etc that should sink, consider a heavier wire gauge so the weight of the hook helps the fly to sink. Again it comes down to thinking of a hook as the skeleton of the fly = light skeleton to float, heavy skeleton to sink.

[Roland58 0]

Silver Creek,

I hadn't really given much thought to the hook determining the look of the finished fly........thanks for the learning experience, very helpful!!!