A member of the US fishing team writer for Midwest Outdoors Magazine, John is co-founder of the Chicago Anglers' Club.

e-mail John: click here

Recent competitions
Chicago Anglers Club Championship Top Weight 9/14

Next Competition
Illinois Championship 10/11
Arltington Heights-Lake Arlington

Major Competitions
2002 World Championships, Portugal (2nd on US Team)
USA vs. Canada 2002 series
USA vs. Canada 2001 series
USA vs. Canada 2000 series
2000 US Open 2nd Place

Midwest Fishing Articles by John Wilkins

Using the right hook is essential to catch more fish.

The hook pictured below landed my largest walleye. A size 12 hook fished on 3.5 lb. line was all I needed to seduce a 29.75" walleye on a leech. The odd thing is that you can't go to most stores and find these. These are especially hooks to most when they are essential gear for me in most every situation (aside from Pike fishing or giant salmon).

The number one thing you can do is go out and find yourself some smaller hooks to improve your fishing. The weight (or lack of weight) on small hooks presents the bait in a more natural fashion. The lighter the hook (and smaller) the better a fish is able to draw in their food attached to that hook.

Funny, I went to several of the "major chains" and looked in their hook isle and none (NONE) of the big guys carried hooks smaller than size 10. Bass on the brain --unbelievable. So many people across our country have been duped into thinking they are going to go out and catch a nice bass. Sad part is, what you watch on TV isn't true for our lakes. The fish you see on those "Fancy Pro Bass" shows are from gravel pits, private lakes and exotic locations. You never see a fishing show where Jimmy Houston fishes in a Forest Preserve lake in Cook County-

All of the times you have gone fishing, how many times have you seen a 4 lb. bass? 4 lb. fish? How about a 3 lb. fish? Truth is, the fish in our lakes, rivers average less than a pound. Even the best guides in our area's streams have to be satisfied with 1 - 2 lb. smallmouth because those are the big fish in an urban area. This is a simple fact. Knowing this, why do you still grab for the giant hooks?

Finding these hooks can be tough. Local fly tying stores are great, Mick Thill Fishing caries some good hooks as do some of the local bait stores. The big chains you will have to work to find them (if they have them at all)- one place to check is the fly department. Gander Mountain has one of the best fishing departments out of the large stores. Local greats are Henry's in Chicago, Ed Shirley's Bait and tackle (multiple locations).

One last difference in a good hook vs. a bad hook is how they are sharpened. A lot of typical hooks are ground down with a machine to sharpen the point. This results in weakened angles on the seams of the hook. Most of the smaller hooks are chemically sharpened which results in a rounded consistent hook on all sides. This creates a very strong hook that offers a great hookset as well the sharpest point you can buy!

Barbless for big monsters? Yes! The barb does very little. If you are using a piece of worm, you may want a micro barb (just to hold the bait on the hook), but a full out barb I don't think you ever need.

It takes a leap of faith to use a smaller hook and and even larger one to use a barbless hook. The best anglers in the world fish with this stuff, so the next time out, give yourself a chance to catch local fish (large & small) by getting some excellent small hooks.

If you would like to see an article, leave a note in the forum and I will try and answer your question in an upcoming illustration, article or on the forum. You can also e-mail me click here.