>>A 2" strike range is definitely easier to escape than a 2' one!

This is probably just not the best wording, but just to make sure...

He said a 2" strike range is easier to "STAY out of", not to "escape". In case it hasn't been stated yet, you should be using a hook long enough that no part of your body is EVER within strike range. With small snakes, there is no reason not to use a hook that is longer than the whole animal just to be safe.

If you stay with the hobby and someday end up handling very large rattlesnakes for instance, exceptions may be necessary because you just don't have the leverage to pick up a 15-20 pound snake with 48" hooks...
-----
What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.