What brand name and size hook is right?

I personally think that you have the wrong approach. Most expensive doesn't mean the best fit in quality for sharks. Take a look at this. Many people had great catches on tackle that - others, would think that's out-dated, but yet - they manage to reach on top, with monster catches. So, spending more - doesn't equal to catch more nor catch bigger fish, just means, having somewhat a better chance land them.

I agree thats why I posted that. Personally not a huge fan of spending 30$ for 2 hooks that is why insight from other sharkers would greatly help..

I only use circle hooks, Mustad size 20/0 is one of the cheapest yet gives great results. The only pain in the butt with these hooks is to dehook the fish. I haven't tried this yet, but some shark-fishermen brake or bend the barb so it wont catch too much and makes the release process easier. The barb is only meant to hold the bait, when the fish is hooked the role of the barb is virtually unused.

I like mustads too. But don't buy the stainless steel ones, they're nice hooks but more expensive and most importantly won't rust out of a fish if you have to leave the hook in it. Personally I think 20/0 is overkill - smaller ones work just as well, particularly if you use Js (you may need the larger sizes with circles as the gap is smaller and won't always get a grip in a big shark). I usually buy the mustad 11/0 Js. Mark's recent 14' hammerhead was caught on a hook this size. Each manufacturer has different sizing so I use those as a benchmark size. I've seen hooks from other companies that are labelled 16/0 and are the same size as the mustad 11/0s. I picked up a pack of 10 good quality 11/0s (not mustads but same shape and size) from a marine flea market for $10 so you can get them cheap if you look in the right places.

Also - to second what boghy said, the barb on a circle hook is far less important than on a J. I always crush the barb down with pliers on my circle hooks. It's much easier to remove the hook that way. Or you can pull the hook right through the fish and clip off the wire at the eye, which is what we sometimes do with J hooks. It causes less damage and is quicker than trying to pull the hook back out against the barb.

12/0,14/0,16/0 J hook's are all good just make sure they are double strength.
The hook will have flat sides on it is usually how you can tell.

I like mustads too. But don't buy the stainless steel ones, they're nice hooks but more expensive and most importantly won't rust out of a fish if you have to leave the hook in it. Personally I think 20/0 is overkill - smaller ones work just as well, particularly if you use Js (you may need the larger sizes with circles as the gap is smaller and won't always get a grip in a big shark). I usually buy the mustad 11/0 Js. Mark's recent 14' hammerhead was caught on a hook this size. Each manufacturer has different sizing so I use those as a benchmark size. I've seen hooks from other companies that are labelled 16/0 and are the same size as the mustad 11/0s. I picked up a pack of 10 good quality 11/0s (not mustads but same shape and size) from a marine flea market for $10 so you can get them cheap if you look in the right places.

Actually, the hook I had at the time was one of my biggest rigs... It was a 14/0, needle eyed, non-stainless steel, knife edge barbed mustad or lindgren pitman. Not sure on the exact model number but I remember when I bought them.

Those 11/0's we got at the flea market weren't sized properly, because I bought 11/0's from that guy and from another guy at the place and they were significantly different in size.

A knife edge point is designed to cut into flesh and bone, and is useful for most 'hard' mouthed fish. But they do have the disadvantage of cutting in and out. Needle eyes are designed to have the best mobility of hook from the wire as possible and put less tear in a bait when you are rigging them in live baits.

But I would argue that the size of the hooks you are using has almost nothing to do with your ability to catch a shark. One of my biggest blacktip sharks was on a 1/0 mustad and #6 wire applying very heavy drag on the duel 4/0 wide.

For the most part I use mustad 10/0 double strength mustads, offset if i can find them, but usually i cant.

I only use circle hooks, Mustad size 20/0 is one of the cheapest yet gives great results. The only pain in the butt with these hooks is to dehook the fish. I haven't tried this yet, but some shark-fishermen brake or bend the barb so it wont catch too much and makes the release process easier. The barb is only meant to hold the bait, when the fish is hooked the role of the barb is virtually unused.

X2 with that I fish smashed barbs on all my shark rigs it works great