1.0 : Introduction

A fish hook is a tool used for catching fishes either by impaling them in the mouth or, more rarely, by snagging the body of the fish. Fish hooks have been working for centuries by fisherman to catch fresh and saltwater fish. In 2005, the fish hook was chosen by Forbes as one of the top twenty tools in the history of man. Fish hooks are in general attached to some form of line or lure device which connects the caught fish to the fisherman. There is a vast selection of fish hooks in the world of fishing. Sizes, designs, shapes, and materials are all variable depending on the intended reason of the fish hook. Fish hooks are manufactured for a range of purposes from common fishing to extremely limited and specialized applications. Fish hooks are designed to hold an assortment of types of artificial, processed, dead or live baits (Bait fishing); to act as the foundation for artificial representations of fish prey (Fly fishing); or to be attached to or integrated into other devices that represent fish prey (Lure fishing).

Angling is a technique of fishing by means of an "angle" (fish hook). The hook is generally attached to a fishing line and the line is often attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods are usually fitted with a fishing reel that functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook itself can be dressed with lures or bait. A bite indicator such as a float is sometimes used.

Angling is a primary technique of sport fishing, but commercial fisheries also use angling methods such as long lining or trolling. Catch and release fishing is increasingly practiced by recreational fishermen. In many parts of the world, size limits apply to certain species, meaning fish below and/or above a certain size must, by law, be released.