To reiterate what I said in the introduction, except for rare exceptions, circle hooks must be used when fishing for stripers with bait. Size depends on the bait you’re using. Large cut bait—like menhaden, mullet, and mackerel—require larger hooks ranging from about 6/0 to 12/0. Small bait like worms, clams, and squid are best matched to smaller hooks in the 1/0 to 6/0 size. There are several great manufacturers of striper-grade circle hooks like Owner, Eagle Claw, Mustad, VMC, and Gamakatsu.