Does Hook Color Matter 2025
ike8120 reply :
When using a T-Rig does the color of the hook matter? I have see there are worm hooks in red, black, silver, and bronze colors.
Harold Scoggins reply :
I jumped on the red hook wagon when it was all the rage in the 90s. As for myself, I didn't see any change in strikes. I've since given most of red hooks away.
Gorris317 reply :
I don't think it matters at all. Personally, I stick with the black or nickel chrome for confidence reasons. My dad uses red hooks and after fishing bottom the paint chips and the hooks look gold. He never has a problem catching fish though.
Sam reply :
Not really, unless they sparkle and attract hits or they chase the bass away by looking abnormal.
Remember, what you see in the store is not what the bass see in the water. Colors change as our baits and tackle go lower in the water column. Many colors look black as they hit bottom.
Red hooks were popular. I had a bunch that I used as trailer hooks thinking the red would attract more hits. Not true. Never did see any additional strikes or hard hits.
Use whatever hooks you have confidence. Don' be concerned about the color. The bait's color is more important. As usual in bass fishing, it is confidence in your baits and tackle.
Have fun!
Gorris317 reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 5:34 PM, Harold Scoggins said:I jumped on the red hook wagon when it was all the rage in the 90s. As for myself, I didn't see any change in strikes. I've since given most of red hooks away.
I actually did the same along with Cajun Red line lol.
BoatSquirrel reply :
The red hook absolutely matters. Every hard bait I own has a red front treble and black on the back. I feel like it gives the fish a more defined target to eat, and almost every fish I catch has that red hook in their mouth. I liken it to aiming for a spot on your target rather than just aiming for the target. MLF pro Brent Chapman thinks so too...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TnqK0XgnPwU
5by3 reply :
I haven’t found that it makes any difference personally.
ike8120 reply :
The reason I brought this up was that the hook size I was looking for was only available in red at the tackle shop.
Jigfishn10 reply :
Supposedly the color red disappears in water after about 5' and looks like a neutral color. What does this mean for a hook? Nothing. Just remember, plenty of fish were caught before the advent of colored hooks. If your confidence dictates a colored hook then fish a colored hook. Where I fish, there are no colored hook police. We just have mattress police out here. 
Log Catcher reply :
I don't care for the red hooks. Tried them and couldn't tell they were getting me any more bites. I have bought crankbaits with red hooks on them and changed them out before I used it. If you are using the right bait the fish will usually nail it at the front hook anyway. I think red hooks were something created to get people to spend more money.
jakkbauer reply :
red hooks on the front. does it help for sure ? i dont know. do they fish bite the red hook more than the other one? yes
Armtx77 reply :
I liken this to the straight braid or Flouro Leader threads.
These fish are hitting plastic baits, in some of the most outrageous color schemes known to man. Some of these baits have multiple split rings and treble hooks. They have wire bent at all sorts of angles, with different sized and colored blades, attached to swivels...
With that said, I have some red hooks and I have seen times where they out fish black hooks...confidence thing, maybe? Because I run straight braid amd catch my share of fish.
Big Rick reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 7:10 PM, Gorris317 said:I actually did the same along with Cajun Red line lol.
Cajun Line is legit! Some of the best mono for the money you can buy. And I've seen it make a difference in very clear water. It just seems to be a more natural color in the water than green or any other line color.
Choporoz reply :
Quite some years ago, I read
"use red hooks on crank baits and poppers -- bass see it as injured baitfish"....and in the same week:
"use red flouro lines because the red line is invisible to bass"
Coincidentally, right about that same time I quit caring about the color of my line, nor of my hooks
RB 77 reply :
For me, hell Yes! Get those red hooks away from me! Black nickel only please. As far as the fish go, I used them all extensively and I couldn't notice a difference one way or the other. I just cant stand the look of a beat up red hook. A super ridiculous pet peeve of mine, I know...
Bankbeater reply :
I've never noticed any difference.
NHBull reply :
I don't think they hurt.
I often have reds on the front of JB and CB alone with white
Flukes......Not changing...
jakkbauer reply :
the red hook is to signify a gill flash which will trigger any predatory fish to strike
that being said you must use this method on reaction baits
Log Catcher reply :
On 6/15/2019 at 12:24 AM, Big Rick said:Cajun Line is legit! Some of the best mono for the money you can buy. And I've seen it make a difference in very clear water. It just seems to be a more natural color in the water than green or any other line color.
Several years ago a fellow I fished with tried the red line. He couldn't catch a fish until he got rid of it and put on some clear line.
Will Wetline reply :
I like a red hook for a nose hooked soft jerk bait because it looks good to me and catches smallies. When the gold hook underneath gets exposed it still catches smallies.
Big Rick reply :
On 6/15/2019 at 8:05 AM, Log Catcher said:Several years ago a fellow I fished with tried the red line. He couldn't catch a fish until he got rid of it and put on some clear line.
to each his own. Although, I'd wager the line was 2 different pound tests therefore changing the action of the bait used more than the color of the line.... but, it's no big deal either way. I've fished with Cajun line for years and it's always been great line in the clear water reservoirs I've fished.
Sorry, OP..... didn't mean to hijack your thread about hook color.
PourMyOwn reply :
I recommend buying red hooks when they are cheaper than the normal ones. Otherwise, I believe it's all in your head.
FishTank reply :
I tried red hooks and it did nothing for me. I really don't think it matters much. I have been using the regular colored Owner and Gamakatsu hooks for awhile and it has worked so far.
J.Vincent reply :
In the 1990s Red hooks were more popular than they are today; and more heavily marketed. I bought a few bags of 3/0 EWG Red hooks back then (still have them) and personally don't think they improve catch ratio for Texas Rigs. Now Topwaters with red trebles might be a different story, as some anglers claim improved catch ratios using red trebles on hard baits, but I've never experimented enough with red treble hooks to comment on their effectiveness. No matter the case for Red hooks, I'm certain standard color hooks used by millions of anglers around the world will catch fish....and when something is that proven, it gives me confidence.
Glaucus reply :
I have never experienced hook or weight color to matter in the slightest. Contrary to popular belief and regurgitated information, however, I consistently experience lure color to matter.
ike8120 reply :
I am having a dry spell, red, white, blue hooks etc, I can't even catch a cold LOL. Basically I guess it has how you present your bait and what is on the menu for the fish that day. Wife has been catching bass on earthworms or a trout rig, go figure.
UPDATE
The dry spell is over caught a bass on black hook and Diawa 5" Neko Fat Worm, I fished it weightless black/blue flake.
BassWhole! reply :
I have never seen a correlation between hook color and strike ratios. I use a lot of silver and tinned salt water hooks and they catch just as well as any other color. I end up using black nickel and bronze the most.
The Short Fisherman reply :
i used a red hook for dropshotting once because it was the first hook i found in my tackle box, and for some reason i caught more fish. I'm not sure if it had something to do with the red hook or not
related Fishing Tackle topic
previous topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.