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It all depends on what you are going to be fishing. In my opinion, black circle hooks are only necessary when you are trying to hide the hook from weary tuna are mangrove snapper. I would start off using 10/0 for AJ's and grouper and work your way down to the smallest hook you can get away with for other species. I use stainless for red snapper, grouper, and sometimes for Jacks.
__________________ 31' Contender Twin F250's
"La Sancha"
Vernon Minton, head of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division, said research shows that circle hooks are more likely to hook fish in the corner of the mouth instead of in the gut cavity or throat. “There are a couple of things with circle hooks made of non-stainless material,” Minton said. “First, if a fish is hooked in such a way that the hook can’t be safely removed, you can cut the line and the enzymes created by the fish will cause the hook to deteriorate rapidly. Also, the way the circle hook is made is it moves in the mouth until it meets resistance and then turns and hooks, most of the time, in the soft tissue in the corner of the mouth. These hooks were used by the Japanese long-liners and they proved they work very well.
Jacks, don't worry about the hook, big is good 12/0 - 15/0 work, most people use the relatively cheap heavy wire tin plated mustads 39xxx series
snapper, and other of this type perch, I never gave hooks much thought here as there quite a few techinques but the 9/0 should do ok
tuna. 6/0 7/0,... wire size becomes important, get mid wire, light wire would present the best but you would not stop big ones with these. presentation is important so the bait and hook have matche. For instance a big wire 9/0 in a small live bait, the bait would be controled by the hook, swimming upside down? or not able to swim at all.
Since 6/0 works ok in the hooking dept. that's my favorite and works with small baits ok. If you are chunking for them, then same story, big heavy hook causes the chunk to drift back unnaturally. I use realtively cheap Eagle claw L2005F not because they are the "best" but because they are available in boxes of 50 at reasonable prices and they work. Color, just the "bronze" which is basically no color. Yeah they rust but who cares?
Most of the charter capt's down in Venice and I guess Fourcon too , have pared their equipment down to the minimun, limited just to what works. It might do you a world of good, maybe, to have one go as a guide on your boat. Some don't "guide" but if the price is right.... Just get with one of these guys and have him bring his regular stuff and take a picure of what he brings. During the day you will learn a lot.
For a person on board a vessel to fish for or possess Gulf reef fish in the Gulf EEZ, the vessel must possess on board and such person must use the gear as specified below. a. Non-Stainless Steel Circle Hooks. Non-stainless steel circle hooks are required when fishing with natural baits for reef fish. b. Dehooking Device. At least one dehooking device is required and must be used to remove hooks embedded in Gulf reef fish with minimum damage. The hook removal device must be constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal process. The dehooking end must be blunt, and all edges rounded. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the Gulf reef fish fishery. c. Venting Tool. At least one venting tool is required and must be used to deflate the swim bladders of Gulf reef fish to release the fish with minimum damage. This tool must be a sharpened, hollow instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed, or a 16-gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel. A tool such as a knife or an ice-pick may not be used. The venting tool must be inserted into the fish at a 45-degree angle approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) from the base of the pectoral fin. The tool must be inserted just deep enough to release the gases, so that the fish may be released with minimum damage. Information on use of these tools can be obtained from information provided by Florida Sea Grant and Mote Marine Lab at: http://catchandrelease.org
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Hooks for Offshore use... 
“There are a couple of things with circle hooks made of non-stainless material,” Minton said. “First, if a fish is hooked in such a way that the hook can’t be safely removed, you can cut the line and the enzymes created by the fish will cause the hook to deteriorate rapidly. Also, the way the circle hook is made is it moves in the mouth until it meets resistance and then turns and hooks, most of the time, in the soft tissue in the corner of the mouth. These hooks were used by the Japanese long-liners and they proved they work very well. 
