Kinda luke a ford, chevy, chrysler debate.....in years gone by I have used a 2, but it seems the perch are getting smaller...lol..so I went smaller to a 4. Some folks use a 6 but for me, they seem to swallow the small hooks easier. I used to buy long shank hooks so they were easier to grab onto but they seem scarce as hens teeth, haven't found them in years. Pros and cons to each and some days one size works better or worse than others. I carry extras of everything, just plain gold hooks, some true turn hooks, some red colored hooks all in different sizes!! Does one work better or worse....not really, but on that one oddball particular day where nothing seems to work, you might try a different hook just like you might try a crappie rig or a spreader!!! One never knows for sure until he tries. Hope this was as confusing for you as it was for me !!....lol....