Just wondering how many people use single size 2 hooks for boondoging steelhead, and is there a good catch ratio compared to 2 size 4 hooks?

I use size 1 owner's some times size 2. I have never use size 4 for steelhead

Slimebucket:

I use Number 4 all the time, but double. Use only Mustad 92553.....in Red and regular. Tie the red below and regular up, never have any problems. Buy all my hooks at Sportco, never found that in the smaller sizes, that one brand of hooks are any better than another, hook and land as many if not more fish than most.

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"

We use a single 2 while doggin from the sled for both summer and winter Steelhead, and have a very good hook and hold ratio. Never have really liked the double 4 set up's, twice the hooks and cost with no noticeable gain in productivity.

I use #4 hooks all summer,and in low flows of the winter time. John and I agree on hooks Mustad 92553, but I only use black. They are much sharper than the red or chrome ones.
Singles, no need for doubles.

later

Ryan

Elkman

I use # 4 for bobber fishing and drifting.

Greensauks,
I'll have to agree with you, that single 2 vs. double 4's there's hardly a difference when it comes to hook -n- land ratio's.However for the confidence factor I stick with the double 4's over the single 2.I like the presentation better when using egg's.I like the single 2 presentation better with let's say a prawn tail or some thing.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Strike Zone,
If you fish the double 4's with a cheater between and like the presentation of the reversed position of the cheater during the drift, below the eggs vs. above...I hear ya, I dig that too!
I'll often leave a longer tag end on my leaders and slide a corky on the tag, then jam it with a tooth pick. Insert eggs and woo hoo!

Bill

i second the double #4's vs single #2 opinion exprseed above: there is no real improvement gained from the extra expense & effort to tie 2 4's: I only have 2 hook sizes in my fishin pack, virtually all 2's for steelheads/silvers & some 1's (to accomodate lthe larger wad of eggs) for springers & fall chinook...

PS: way more fish are lost to drag issues, horsing it, bad knots, bad net jobs, and dropping the pole tip than to hook size issues ...

I am talking about hook up ratios and not lost fish. I am sorry if people got confused, I was using 2s for the simple reason of not loosing so much gear, as I would with 4s. But I started to think about it. If I am not snagging up as much, could that mean that I am not hooking up as much? Is everyone coming down my runway? Its just something that I have been thinking about.

Snagging up equates to less time in the water doesn't it? I don't understand how that could = more hookups when you always tying up. I used to use 4s but got tired of hanging bottom. I switched to a single #2 and hang the corkie or cheater off the tag end.

Fish Jesus, you are not getting what I am saying. two number 4s snagg on the bottom easily.There for, two number 4s could hook in a fishs mouth easily. Do you get what I am saying? If a number 2 doesnt snagg as easy, could it mean that it doesnt get hooked in a fishes mouth as easily as two number 4s. By the way, 99.9% of my time on the water is spent with the bait in the water because I carry 9 loomis rods in my sled at once. If I break off, there is another rod rigged, and ready to go.

Alrighty then.

I hope that I didnt sound like a smart a$$ or anything, because thats not what I am about. I am just trying to figure out the reason why I dont seem to get as many fish with #2s compared to two #4s. I am just tired or going thru 20$ rolls of leader every time I go fishn. Please dont take offense.

Slimeb

I get what you are saying and snagging the bottom does not equate in any way to hooking fish.

I agree with FJ try using a single hook next time, less hang ups and you will not miss fish.

as it relates to HOOKING UP ONLY:

for what its worth, in my experience, as best I can recall, I seem to remember "rolling" more fish with double 4's ...

I believe without a doubt that the larger spacing of #2 vs. #4 btwn the point of the hook & shaft of the hook HELPS me hook up more ... Also, when I use the single # 2 less often (in fact hardly ever) do I get the feeling like I've had something touching it & try to get pressure on it & feel the little shake/roll & gone when I use the double 4's ....

also, I think that even when using the smallest corkies, I don't believe the barb of the 4's is out far enough beyond the outer radius ofthe corkie to effectivelly (consistently) allow the point of the hooks to touch enough of the fish to stick it....