Choosing a hook for maggot fishing on a pole

The best size of hook for maggot fishing on a pole for perch is usually between size 16 and size 20. A size 18 is a dependable starting point because it holds one or two maggots neatly while remaining light enough for cautious fish. In Australia, the fish called perch will often be redfin, so the hook must suit the size of the bait and the mouth of the fish rather than follow a fixed rule.

Pole fishing gives you precise control over depth, presentation and feeding. That makes it especially effective in quiet margins, shallow lake edges and slow-moving channels where redfin, small perch or juvenile carp investigate loose maggots. The fine tackle also exposes poor hook choices quickly: a hook that is too large can look clumsy, while one that is too small may straighten or pull free.

Australian anglers may need to adapt the approach to local conditions. Maggots are common coarse-fishing bait in Britain but may be less readily available in some Australian tackle shops, where worms, prawns and soft plastics dominate the shelves. Ask for live maggots at a specialist shop, keep them cool, and check state rules before fishing, particularly in waterways managed for native species or pest-fish control.

The most useful hook sizes

A size 18 is the all-round option for redfin up to a modest size, especially when fishing one white or bronze maggot under a light float. It has enough gape to hook confidently without making the bait appear unnatural. Choose a fine-wire pattern with a chemically sharpened point and a small, secure eye.

Drop to a size 20 when the water is clear, the fish are shy or you are using a single small maggot. This can be valuable on bright afternoons at places such as Lake Wendouree in Victoria, where fish may inspect a bait carefully in shallow water. A size 16 is better when using two or three maggots, fishing deeper, or expecting larger redfin and small carp.

Remember that hook numbering runs in the opposite direction to what some new anglers expect: a size 20 is smaller than a size 16. Hooks sold in Australian shops may also be described by brand-specific patterns, so compare the actual gape and wire thickness rather than relying on the number alone.

Matching the hook to the bait

One maggot should cover the point and part of the shank while leaving the hook point and barb exposed. Threading the bait too far around the bend can prevent a clean connection. For a size 18, hook the maggot lightly through the thicker end or skin, allowing it to move naturally as the float settles.

Use two maggots on a size 16 when fish are feeding confidently or when small nuisance fish are stripping a single bait. A redfin’s mouth is capable of taking this presentation, but the bait should still hang naturally. If the float dips repeatedly without a firm bite, reduce the bait first, then consider moving down to a size 20.

At a Melbourne canal, irrigation channel or stocked dam, depth and clarity can change within a few metres. A canal pole approach works best when the rig is balanced carefully, with the hook size, shotting and float all supporting a slow, controlled fall.

Pole rigs that suit maggots

A short line below the pole tip gives excellent accuracy around reeds, weed beds and shaded banks. Use a light float with enough capacity to carry the bait down steadily, then place the final small shot close to the hook. This helps a single maggot reach the feeding zone without swinging unnaturally.

For most redfin fishing, 0.10–0.14 mm nylon is sufficient, with a lighter hooklength if the water is exceptionally clear. A size 18 tied to 0.08–0.10 mm line is a sensible delicate setup, while a size 16 and stronger line is safer around submerged timber or carp. Always inspect the line after landing a fish or dragging through weed.

Practical tackle choices for Australian conditions

• Size 18 fine-wire hook for everyday single-maggot fishing
• Size 20 for clear water, small baits and cautious redfin
• Size 16 for two or three maggots, deeper water or mixed catches
• Light pole float with a sensitive antenna
• Small tub or bait box kept cool during a hot afternoon

Feeding and detecting bites

Start with only a few maggots, introduced by hand or with a small pot if the rules and venue allow it. In warm Australian weather, fish can become active quickly, but excessive feed may attract carp or leave bait on the bottom untouched. Add a few more maggots only after seeing consistent movement or missed bites.

Redfin often lift, tap or move the float sideways rather than making a dramatic disappearance. Set the hook with a controlled lift of the pole, keeping the movement smooth. Striking violently with fine line is a common cause of pulled hooks, particularly when using a size 20.

At a Victorian lake, a New South Wales farm dam or a Queensland impoundment, regulations and permitted bait can differ. Some fisheries have special rules concerning introduced species, live bait and access, so check the local authority or venue notice before fishing. A quick stop at the servo may provide ice for bait, but it is not a substitute for checking current fishing regulations.

The main lesson is simple: begin with a size 18, move to a size 20 for finesse, and step up to a size 16 when the bait, fish or conditions demand it. The right hook is the smallest strong pattern that presents the maggot naturally, exposes its point and matches the tackle around it.