I use 1/0 on the ones that I think ill throw to kings and 2 for steelhead/coho. I don't usually leave enough of a trailer loop to swap hooks, just because I don't like that much flopping around getting tangled up. I usually lose them before a hook goes dull anyway, so it doesn't bother me much. I use a 2/0 mustad 3407 O'shaughnessy for shanks. They are duratin coated, not the stainless ones. They are real cheap, don't seem to rust, and you can bend them straight easily with pliers. I don't like tying on upturned eye hooks either for some reason.
Thanks for the info BI. I have been experimenting with Japanese circle hooks made by Matzuo with pretty good results. When I use these hooks for trailers I use a #4 or #6 for steelhead, but I will go down to size #8 and I use them in black. The only problem that I have found is that for me being a barbless flyfisher I have to really mash down hard to get the small, hard barb pinched down. Tight lines.
Sweet. I haven't fished circle hooks, except for buts of course. how is the adjustment, do you do a little strip set on the take? or just wait for them to turn and go? use them mostly for swinging flies?
For the most part, fish hang themselves on the hook. But kings are a different story, you have to wait for them to turn before you set the hook. Gamakatsu is my go to circle hook and the Matzuo circle hooks that I have been testing have an angular bend which puts the tippet, eye of the hook and the center of the hook all in a straight line which makes them harder to bend out. Tight lines.