A fine exposed hook penetrates with very little force. Hit it like a flipping hook and you can bend it, break the leader, or tear it out. A thick single hook, weed guard, buried point, or bulky plastic needs more load before the point gets home.

Choose rod power, action, line, drag, and hookset for the hook—not just the bait weight. Reel down and sweep on light wire. Clear the slack and set more decisively on a stout single hook. A heavier hook can turn a light lure into a demanding system.