When fishing for salmon and trout, salmon eggs are one of the most effective and productive baits you can use The salmon egg’s scent and lifelike texture perfectly mimic real fish eggs drifting downriver, triggering instinctual bites from salmon, trout and steelhead However, in order to properly hook and land fish on salmon eggs, having the right size hook matched to the egg size is critical. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing the proper salmon egg hook sizes and types for successful fishing.
Factors for Determining Salmon Egg Hook Size
There are a few key factors that come into play when selecting the optimal hook size for salmon eggs:
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Egg Size – Smaller steelhead or trout eggs require smaller hooks (#8 to #12), while larger king salmon eggs need bigger hooks (2/0 to 5/0) to match the bait proportions. You want a hook gap that can accommodate the egg but not be too big.
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Fish Species – Larger salmon and steelhead require stouter hooks that won’t bend out. Trout can be landed on lighter gauge hooks. Use thick, sturdy hooks for powerful fish.
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Fishing Method – Drifting requires smaller hooks that don’t negatively impact drift Bottom bouncing can utilize larger hooks.
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Rod Strength – Heavier power rods allow you to use larger hooks capable of subduing bigger fish. Lighter rods require smaller hooks and lighter lines.
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Line Strength – 4 to 6 lb. test lines dictate smaller thinner hooks that match the line strength. Heavier lines allow for bigger hooks.
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Current Strength – Fast currents require wider gap hooks that can set well on quick hooksets before being swept downstream. Slow water can get away with standard hook gaps.
Hook Options for Salmon Eggs
There are a few prevalent hook choices fishermen use when rigging up salmon eggs:
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Octopus – Excellent all-around hook with a wide gap and short shank. Great holding power and allows secure hook penetration on set. The go-to option for many.
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Circle Hook – Inward-point forces hook hold in corner of mouth with no harsh hookset required. Effective when fish mouth-bite gently.
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Salmon Egg – Flattened shank and offset bend specifically designed to balance globular eggs. The specialist shape prevents slippage.
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Bait Holder – Multi-barbed shank grips soft eggs well, but may cause deep hooking and mortality issues when releasing wild fish.
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Treble – Not ideal for eggs as three points cause shallower pricks without deep penetration. Single hooks are superior.
Hook Size Recommendations by Species
King Salmon – Their large, dense eggs require wide gap hooks (#6 to 2/0) to imbed fully into the skein sack meat.
Coho Salmon – Opt for hooks from #2 to #6 for medium-sized coho eggs that need gap clearance but not massive hooks.
Sockeye Salmon – Hook sizes #4 to #6 provide a good fit for average sized sockeye salmon eggs.
Steelhead Trout – Smaller steelhead eggs match up with smaller hooks down to #8 or #10 for a proportional fit.
Atlantic Salmon – Their vibrant medium eggs take well to hook sizes #6 to #8.
Chum Salmon – Mixed egg sizes means flexible 4/0 – 6/0 hooks cover the range.
Pink Salmon – Common smaller pink eggs allow use of smaller #6 or #4 hooks without over-powering the baits.
Hook Features for Salmon Eggs
To maximize hookup percentages, look for hooks with ideal attributes:
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Penetration – Chemically sharpened points like Owner, Gamakatsu, and Mustad hooks penetrate instantaneously on hooksets.
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Strength – Forged, high carbon steel and heavy gauge wire diameters withstand head shakes and runs.
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Gape – Wider gap hooks fully seat into the bait for solid grip. But not too wide to negatively impact action.
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Holding Power – Shorter shanks increase leverage and prevent pull-outs after hooking fish.
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Durability – Pay for quality hooks from reputable brands that won’t degrade or dull quickly. Stay sharp longer.
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Target Species Size – Match the hook strength, wire diameter, and gap size to the species you are targeting.
Rigging Salmon Eggs Effectively
Follow these tips for securing salmon eggs on hooks optimally:
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Match the hook size and gap to the egg diameter for a snug, secure fit.
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For drift fishing, balance the hook weight to the egg size to avoid unnatural drifting.
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Use cured eggs that retain a firm texture to stay on the hook better during casts.
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When using fresh salmon skein, look for dense, firm batches that won’t slough off the hook.
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For soft eggs, consider Pautzke Borx of Fire Eggs to firm up the eggs and improve bait retention.
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Mount the eggs shallow on the hook bend to maximize gap clearance for solid hook penetration.
Setting the Hook on Salmon Eggs
Once you get a bite, properly setting the hook is crucial:
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Wait until the drift stops and the fish turns before setting. Don’t jerk on the take.
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Use a firm, steady sweeping hookset to the side to drive the hook home. No aggressive yanking.
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Keep the rod low during the hookset and fight to maintain maximum pressure.
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For circle hooks, simply start reeling down and turning the fish. No harsh hooksets required.
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Check for solid head shakes and runs to confirm the hook has penetrated.
Using properly sized hooks for the salmon eggs you are fishing, along with precise rigging and hooksetting, will enable you to hook and land more fish on this dynamic bait. Adjust your salmon egg hooks based on the factors covered to match your specific fishing situation. With the right hooks, salmon eggs will catch you plenty of fish!
See it in action
“How-To” | The Best Way to Keep Salmon Eggs on the Hook
FAQ
What hook for salmon eggs?
Salmon Egg Beak Hook. The Classic Mustad Salmon Egg Hook features a long beaked point that provides better penetration and hook hold. The short shank makes it perfect for presenting single salmon egg, either artificial or cured natural, targeting Trout.
What size fly hook for salmon?
Salmon Tube Fly Hooks
To correctly balance a one to two inch bodied tube fly you really are usually talking about a size 6 or 4 hook which means there’s typically going to be a good few millimetres between the hook point and the micro barb on your hook.