With everything we need to think about when it comes to bass fishing, the last thing we often worry about is our hooks.
A lot of us think it’s just a hook, right? It can’t mean that much. In reality, the hook you use has a lot to do with your presentation. If you’re using the best hooks for bass fishing, you’ll have a much easier time landing that big fish you’ve always wanted.
Different situations call for different hook styles, so it’s essential to understand at least the unique styles and why you would want to choose one over the other.
In this article, we’re taking a look at the 5 best hooks for bass and some of the methodology behind choosing the right hook.
Comparison Table – The Best Bass Hooks
In-Depth Reviews of Our Favorite Hooks for Catching Bass
50pc Carbon Steel Wide Gap Offset Hooks
BEST OVERALL
Specs
- Type of hook: Extra wide gap offset hook
- Pieces: 50pcs total
- Size range: 1/0 – 5/0
- Barbed? One barb on the end
Buying Advice
- Ideally used for Texas-rigged plastic minnows or something similar
Pros
- Multiple sizes
- All numbered for easy use
- Barbed on the end
- Twist at the top for Texas rigging
Cons
- Could be a little sharper
I’m a big fan of these hooks for a few reasons. First, you get five different sizes in the box with ten of each size. I don’t know about you, but that will last me a long time. I do wish they provided smaller hooks because you’re somewhat limited in the size of plastics you use depending on where you fish.
These work great if you want to jig your rubber worm, and the barb at the end is sharp and gets the job done. The hooks are durable and built with quality materials as well.
Luengo 50pc Baitholder Fish Hooks
BEST BAITHOLDER
Specs
- Type of hook: Octopus hook baitholder
- Pieces: 50pcs
- Size range: 1/0 – 6/0
- Barbed? Two baitholders and one on the end
Buying Advice
- Check the hooks after a tough battle and carry pliers with you because they might bend
Pros
- Two baitholder hooks are great
- Multiple size options
- Makes it easier to set the hook
Cons
- Only comes with one size per purchase
- Hooks can bend somewhat easily
I’m a big fan of this design because it makes it easy to set the hook. Bass are tough because they flee quickly, and the smaller ones are known to nibble, so you have to pay close attention.
This baitholder hook has an octopus hook design, so it has a wide opening, which really allows the hook to get inside the fish’s mouth so you can jerk it and get a nice set, which makes for easier retrieval.
Shaddock Fishing 120pc Multi-Size Hooks
BEST WORM HOOK
Specs
- Type of hook: Offset worm hook
- Pieces: 120pcs
- Size range: 1# – 5/0
- Barbed? On the end
Buying Advice
- Works great for chunking and jigging
Pros
- Multiple size options
- Comes with 120 hooks
- Smaller sizes are great for finesse angling
- Durable high carbon steel
Cons
- Limits you to Texas rig
If you enjoy fishing soft plastic baits rigged Texas-style, these are the hooks for you. They’ve got a nice sharp barb at the end, the hooks are made of high-quality carbon steel, and they’ve got a nice black chrome finish on them as well.
The offset hook point with the barb helps prevent the worm from sliding around, and there are plenty of fishing hook sizes for bass. If you’re fishing worms, I wouldn’t suggest waiting around because these are the hooks you want to have in your tackle box.
Z-MAN Texas Eye Jighead
BEST JIG HEAD HOOK
SPECIFICATIONS
- Type of hook: Jig head hook
- Pieces: Three
- Size range: 0.15-0.25
- Barbed?: On the end
Buying Advice
- One of the best weedless hooks bass fishing has to offer
Pros
- Prevents weed buildup
- Natural-looking eye on the jig
- Easy to rig
- Multiple colors and size options
Cons
- The bait keeper might start to tear your plastic worms
For all my jig anglers out there, this is a great option. It only comes with three, so you’ll want to preserve them, but you get your choice of size and color. It has a bait keeper at the top, which works well for holding your worms on plus the barbed end is nice and sharp and offers a good hook up.
Overall, it’s a solid jig that isn’t going to impress the heck out of anybody, but it gets the job done.
Mustad Classic Wire Demon
BEST HOOKS FOR STRIPED BASS
Specs
- Type of hook: Circle hook
- Pieces: 5-50
- Size range: 1/0-10
- Barbed? On the end
Buying Advice
- I would recommend this one for inshore saltwater fishing
Pros
- The unique design helps slide the hook to the corner of the mouth
- The curved point makes for a nice hook set
- Works well for catch and release
- 20% stronger than the competition
Cons
- The design doesn’t leave a lot of room for larger baits
Our final option here is one of the best hooks for striped bass. I say that because it works well at preventing them from gulping it due to the unique hook shape. The problem with the hook is that it doesn’t leave a whole lot of space for your live bait, so it’s problematic at the same time as being helpful.
That said, the hooks are strong, durable, and they slide to the corner of the mouth, which makes for a great hookset every time.
The Different Types of Bass Hooks
Let’s give you a quick rundown of the different types of hooks and what you might want to use them for.
Straight Shank Hook
These don’t have a bend at the top, and they work well for heavy cover conditions because they don’t have that snag area where you’ll take weeds with you.
Offset Round Bend
We saw a lot of these above because I think they’re the best hooks for bass. The offset helps position the lure properly, and they work well in cover as well as open water.
Offset Wide Gap Hooks
The wide gap design simply allows for more space between the barb and the wire. The goal here is to limit their ability to swallow the hook, so you don’t lose it, so it doesn’t kill the fish, and so they don’t cut the line.
Treble Hooks
A treble hook is the type you would typically see hanging off a topwater crankbait or swimbait. These have three hook ends with barbs sticking off the end.
Drop Shot Hook
The drop shot requires a specific fishing technique where you suspend small baitfish in the water to create a natural presentation. Some people often consider octopus hooks and drop shots the same.
Final Thoughts
I bet you never thought you’d know so much about fishing hooks, huh? Pairing bass fishing tips with the best hooks for bass will help improve your presentation. Best of all, you don’t have to master it overnight. We have our entire lives to perfect the craft. Happy angling!
Are these hooks for all large catches?
Hey Derrek,
Most of the hook recommendations here have size variations between #1-6 and 1/0-6/0. For example, the carbon steel wide gap hooks vary in size from about 1.5 inches to 2.2 inches. Those work great with soft plastics for largemouth. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, the Luengo baitholders have a small hook around 1 inch flat. The bottom line is, no – there are plenty of size variations for each that will work for large and small catches. Thanks for your comment!
why don’t you put the price of the hooks with the picture also 4 bucks for 1 hook is bit to much after all it’s not gold
Hey John! Prices fluctuate so much on Amazon and Bass Pro, they literally change from day to day based on what resellers are selling them for. To prevent giving out inaccurate pricing we just exclude it altogether.