In all the years of fishing---I have bought countless hooks. I have always just picked them off the shelf and used them. I buy the size I want by what I see.

I went to buy hooks online and they ask for sizes....2, 3, 5, 0/3, 0/2, 0/6 etc.

I guess I never paid attention.

I need the condenced version on what these numbers mean.

Go ahead and poke some fun---I probably deserve it.

Hook sizes go from small to large in this format.

If it starts with # (number), then it goes from small to large like this:
#10, #8, #6, #4, #2, #1

Then, continuing from small to large it changes to the oughts like this:
1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, etc

Put it all together from smallest to largest:
#10, #8, #6, #4, #2, #1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0

There are smaller than #10's and larger than 5/0's though.

This just about covers hook sizes. Good Luck!

http://saltfishing.about.com/od/tackleandaccessories/a/aa060531a.htm

Thanks-----now....back to shoppin!!!