Fishing Frenzy

Basically anything tied to the end of a fishing line is referred to as terminal tackle. However this term traditional applies to sinkers, floats, swivels, and other fishing implements that are designed to provide the bait to the game fish. There are many items that fall into this category of tackle ranging from fish hooks to rigs.

One of the largest sections of terminal tackles if fish hooks. Hooks come in many different sizes and styles. A fish hook consists of a shank and a shaft, the shank is the gap between the shaft and the bur, or tip of the hook. The size of a hook pertains to the size of the shank. A shaft is the main body of the hook and is the part that is typically described by the style of the hook.

All hooks are rated by a number the number pertains to the size. The larger the number the smaller the hook. This system starts with the number 22 which is a tiny hook that is used for flies. The other end of the scale is the fractional numbers such as 1/0. Once the sizes go to zero, anything larger than a zero is written as a fraction over zero. The largest hook you will typically find is a 10/0, this size hook is used for very large game fish and may hold fish up to the size of a large shark.

All hook sizes may vary in the length of the shank. Each size of hook has a standard size of a shaft, if the shaft is larger or smaller it will be written as an xshorter or an x longer. In other words if there is a 6x2 short, this will imply that the hook is a size 6 with a shaft the size of a size 8 hook. Along this same manner if the hook says 6x2 long then it means that the shaft of the size 6 hook is the size of a 4 hook.

There are also different styles of hooks, each designed to have a specific purpose. There are some styles of hooks that may have a curved shaft while others may have a wide gap. You may also find some hooks that have a small coil on them. The coil is engineered to hold bait in place on the hook.

Different styles of hooks have specific purposes. One example is the Aberdeen hook, which is intended for freshwater applications such as live bait fishing for Bream or Bass. This style of hook has a round bend light wire hook with a slightly turned in point.

Another popular style of hook is the egg hook. This hook has a short shank and contains a wide gap. An egg hook is intended as the name implies, to be used for fishing with eggs such as salmon eggs. This type of terminal tackle m may also be used for bread balls or corn.

These hooks are just two examples of a large variety of hooks that are available for specialty fishing. Hooks are but one style of terminal tackle that is used for fishing. Terminal tackle is typically hooks, sinkers and other times but it can imply anything tied to a fishing line.