There are three maine types of hooks used in our area, and your selection should be based on what you're using for bait, and what you're fishing for.

J-Hooks - J-Hooks are what typically comes to mind when someone mentions hooks. As it's name states, it is shaped like the letter J. They are good general use hooks for live and dead bait, but require a good "Jerk" on the rod to set the hook. As long as you give the rod a good yank, these hooks will set, but if you practice catch and release, consider Circle Hooks.

Kahle Hooks - Another type of J-Hook, the Kahle hook is really good for use for live bait, however, similarly to a conventional J-Hook, it's not a good catch and release hook.

Circle Hooks - In shape, similar to Kahle hooks, the tip of the hook varies slightly; instead of the barb pointing to the eye of the hook, it points more towards the shank of the hook. In a case where the fish swallows the bait, the hook will not get caught down it's throat or in it's stomach, instead, with a gentle pull, the hook will work it's way back to the fishs' mouth, and roll to the corner. There are more mouth hooks, and fewer deaths after release with circle hooks than any other hook. You don't yank the rod to set the hook, but more of a gentle pull.

Treble Hooks - A treble hook is basically made of three J-Hooks joined together. Treble hooks are most commonly used on lures as when a fish strikes a lure, it only takes a very brief moment to realize that it's not real bait, so using a treble hook increases the chance of hooking the fish.