Live bait hooks?

[MathGeek]

My favorite hook for crab (live, whole, cracked, or claw) is a Gamakatsu 7/0 offset J hook.

We've used a lot of hooks over the years, and this one is out favorite. But if you can't find this hook and end up with a Mustad or and Eagle Claw, the important features are 7/0, offset shank, and J hook. You will lose a lot of hookups with a circle hook or a non-offset J. We use this hook also for cut mullet, except for the head.

We keep a few bigger offset J hooks in the box (9/0, 11/0) for mullet heads and bigger live baits. The 11/0 is just right for bigger croaker, pinfish, sand trout, and whiting. One of my biggest redfish ever was on a 13" croaker hooked up on an 11/0. Medium croaker and pinfish go well with the 9/0. The "bait" croaker that you can buy are about right on the 7/0.