Summary Conger myriaster is one of the most commercially important fish stocks in the Haizhou Bay, China. As the type of longline fishing hook has a significant effect on its capture, three hook sizes (nos. 302, 303, 304) were compared in experiments conducted along the Haizhou Bay from September to November 2012. C. myriaster selectivity analysis using the different hook widths was obtained by analysing the catch rate, CPUE, total length distribution and selection curves. The log‐normal model equation was used to explore the longline selection, and anova was employed to analyse the difference in catch rate and CPUE among the three hook sizes. The longline selectivity for C. myriaster was well described by a log‐normal model equation. Hook no. 303 proved to have the highest catch rate, CPUE, and the estimated model lengths within three types of hooks tested in the experiments, in accordance with the fact that no. 303 is also the favourite hook used by local fishermen. Overall, the present study indicates that hook no. 303 has the best selection and is an appropriate size for sustainable utilisation of C. myriaster.