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Fly Fishing Hook Size Chart

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As an angler, you know that choosing the right fly hook size is essential for a successful outing. This guide will help you determine which hook size to use for different types of fish. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, this fly fishing hook sizes chart will come in handy!

In case you haven’t visited our fishing hooks size chart or our fishing hook sizes guide, let’s quickly discuss the fishing hooks sizes basics:

Fishing hooks sizes range from #32 is the smallest, to #1 which is the median size, and from there it goes up to 1/0 and up to 19/0 which is a giant hook. If you need a grasp of the actual size you can check our fishing hook size chart actual size.

First thing first: What is fly fishing?

This is a method for catching fish where the bait (often imitating a fly) is presented on the top of the water for fish. 

In this technique, the bait is designed to appear to the fish as if a bug has landed on the top of the water or slightly below the surface of the water.

Fly fishing is a real art, which is a huge part of what makes it so exciting. Not only do you get to experience some of the most beautiful places in the world, but you also have to focus on your style and technique and adjust it based on the kind of fish you are aiming to catch and the specific location you are in. 

Sometimes even different gear is required as well. The goal of fly is to bait a fish with an artificial fly that is made with animal pieces (feathers, hair, etc.).

Most fly fishers love to challenge themselves with more difficult forms of fishing and catch as many fish as possible during the experience.

This idea is a core idea of the fly fishing concept. Arguably, it is a more peaceful and pure way to catch a fish, and it’s very effective in catching trout.

Typically, a trout will prefer insect imitations most times and using lures with spin fishing just doesn’t give you as many options to catch fish across trout waters.

Fly fishing techniques work across the board, and generally speaking, most anglers are trying to catch anything, and everything on a fly rod and can do so in most cases these days.

How do I know what size fly hook to use?

Fly hook size is an important consideration when fly fishing. The size of fly hook you use will depend on the type of fly you are using, as well as the weight of the line you are casting. A fly hook size chart can be a valuable tool to help you select the right fly hook for your needs.

There are a variety of fly hook sizes available, from size 1/0 for saltwater fishing to small size #28 for dry flies. The most common fly hook sizes are sizes #8, #10, and #12.

Most fly fishermen use a size #10 or #12 fly hook when fishing wet flies, and #16 – #20 when using dry flies.

When selecting a fly hook size, it is important to take into account the weight of the line you will be casting.

Fly fishing hooks categories

There are four main fly patterns categories:

  • Dry fly patterns – imitating any bugs that land on the water
  • Nymphs – imitating hatching bugs on their way to the surface.
  • Streamers – imitating small baitfish like shiners
  • Top-water patterns – another version of dry flies but they imitate frogs, grasshoppers and other insects that can be foung on the water surface.

What is the difference between wet and dry flies?

To begin with, fly fishing is a popular sport that has been around for hundreds of years.

Fly fishing is especially popular in Europe, which is why fly fishing lures are also called European flies.

Dry fly: A fly used in fly fishing when there is no sign of surface activity. Usually, it’s a little bigger than wet fly fishing lures and it’s used to imitate an insect on the surface of the water.

Wet fly: fly fishing lure that imitates insects, fish eggs, or larvae that are underneath the water’s surface.

Now that you know the difference between wet and dry fly fishing lures, let’s take a look at the fly hook size chart.

The fly hook size chart below will help you determine the right fly hook size for your needs. Remember, when fly fishing, the fly hook size you use can affect your chance of catching a fish. When in doubt, the ground rule is to go for the smallest hook you can get away with, especially when fishing for trout which is a suspicious fish, and any sign of a hook can cause him to skip your fly.

When you use dry fly hook, the size is important since you need it to be light in order to stay above the water surface. That is why anglers would prefer a fine-wire hook that is lighter. However, the lighter the hook the bigger the chances it will bend when hooking a large trout, so choose carefully whether you

 

Anglers Gear's Fly Fishing Hook Size Chart​

Technique \ BaitHook SizeFish Type
WetFrom: #4To: 1/0Saltwater species
WetFrom: #6To: #2Salmon and Steelhead 
WetFrom: #12To: #4Bass
WetFrom: #16To: #12Trout
DryFrom: #20To: #16Trout
DryFrom: #28To: #20Panfish

Trout Fly Fishing Hook Size Chart​

Trout Wet Flies

#10 – #16

Brand: Mustad Signature 

Mustad is one of the leading flies brands, if not #1.

Their signature fly has a weighted cone head that helps cast the fly to long distances.

Trout Dry Flies

#16 – #20

Brand: Croch 

It’s a good idea to get yourself a flies kit since fly fishing is dynamic and you’ll need to switch flies until you find the one that works on a particular day and water

Bass Fly Fishing Hook Size Chart​

Clouser Minnow Fishing Flies

Bass Clouser Minnow – Streamer \ Wet fly#1 – 1/0 for Large and Small mouth bass

Brand: Mustad Signature 

Mustad is one of the leading flies brands, if not #1.

The Mustad fly was originally created for bass and has since become popular in all waters. Because almost every species of fish eat baitfish, this is a great fly to use if you don’t know what to tie or what species you may come across.

Clouser Minnow Fishing Flies

Bass Clouser Minnow – Streamer \ Wet fly#1 – 1/0 for Large and Small mouth bass

Brand: Mustad Signature 

Mustad is one of the leading flies brands, if not #1.

The Mustad fly was originally created for bass and has since become popular in all waters. Because almost every species of fish eat baitfish, this is a great fly to use if you don’t know what to tie or what species you may come across.

Bass Poppers – Dry fly#2 

Brand: XFISHMAN

Great and fun way to fly fish bass! Better to use it in dusk or dawn.

Salmon Fly Fishing Hook Size Chart​

Croch Dry Flies Assortment Kit

Salmon Dry fly kit#12 – #16

Brand: Croch

Croch Wet Flies Assortment Kit

Salmon Wet fly kit#8 – #12

Brand: Croch