Catfish hooks

Gary Benson · 07-05-2008, 12:29 PM

Arggh! Missed two good bites last night and can't afford to do that. Using cut chub for bait and a standard large Eagle Claw hook. I know this has been discussed before but....what hooks are you guys proud of? I'd really like SAM825's opinion. Sam is the man with a flathead plan.

catchNrelease · 07-05-2008, 12:33 PM

5/0 or 6/0 Owner or Gamakatsu Circle hooks are what I use for channel cats, and they work great. I would think the same type of hook only a bit larger would work great for flatheads as well

holdemplyer · 07-05-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catchNrelease

5/0 or 6/0 Owner or Gamakatsu Circle hooks are what I use for channel cats, and they work great. I would think the same type of hook only a bit larger would work great for flatheads as well

Dogman · 07-05-2008, 01:13 PM

I use Rapala 5/0 offset fast grip blood red hooks. Works great.

tmn515 · 07-05-2008, 01:18 PM

CIRCLE HOOKS!!!

Troy

holdemplyer · 07-05-2008, 01:25 PM

Gary, one thing with circle hooks, when you get a bite, do not set the hook. Let the fish run with it and the resistance of your rod will set the hook, 9 times out of 10, right in the corner of the mouth.

Alex

Alex T. · 07-05-2008, 02:15 PM

Getting hits on cut chubs is probably either channels/blues or bass.5/0 or 6/0 Daiichi circle hooks are my number 1 choice. I am trying a different circle hook this year for a test run. Will let ya know how they do after tonite. Circle hooks are rough to use at first when your'e used to setting the hook and will take some getting used to.The best scenario is to cast your bait out,get your rod in a good pole holder and leave just a little slack in your line so the fish can run a little and set the hook itself.IMO,if your'e gonna catch and release your cats, circle hooks are ideal since 95%+ of the hooks will be in the corner of their mouths. If your'e going after flatheads and using live bait,circle hooks will work but IMO ya need to bigger since the fish's mouth is different than channels/blues.Plus,a flathead has no problem taking big baits.

Alex

Gary Benson · 07-05-2008, 03:33 PM

These are definitely channels. I did land one nice one last night. I'm fishing in heavy fast current and have bullheads nibbling on the bait until a real fish comes along. I just ignore the bullheads' sorry efforts and when a channel grabs it he hooks himself. I'll try some circle hooks. Thanks guys.

Sam825 · 07-05-2008, 04:17 PM

Gary,

I know nothing about channel

For flathead, it is depend on size of bait....sometimes I use 8/0, and if my bait is small, the obviously 5/0 or 6/0. I do not use circle hooks much, but I do carry 8/0 circle hooks as well.

As Alex mentioned, the size/with of the mouth is different between flathead and channel.

But to me, either case, won't hurt to use bigger/badder bait to catch bigger/badder fish

....eliminate time bothered by small fish anyway

Sam

BucksnBlues · 07-06-2008, 09:40 AM

Gary, it sounds like you're fishing a river......Gar may be the culprits here. They love creek chubs and the bite is similar to a Channel, quick and sharp tugs....just a thought.

thedarkarcher · 07-07-2008, 01:15 PM

kahle hooks have provided me with the highest # of hookups and rarely are swallowed, i think they hook more fish than using a circle hook and loading the rod...

Fish Recycler · 07-07-2008, 01:55 PM

Kahles and circles are both good choices. Join Recycled Fish and we'll send you a couple of Daiichi blood red circle hooks to try out in your "Stewardship Kit" that goes to all new members!

BucksnBlues · 07-08-2008, 07:45 AM

Kinda hijacking the thread here, but when using a kahle hook, do you set the hook like when using a standard "J" hook, or let the fish set it like when using a circle hook?

thedarkarcher · 07-08-2008, 08:03 AM

personally, i let the fish run and strip line with the bait a little then set the hook when using a kahle, with a circle hook i let the fish run out of line and load the rod itself.

Fish Recycler · 07-08-2008, 08:31 AM

Not a hijack at all - seems right in line with the nature of the thread.

I'm no expert on catfishing, circles or kahles, but in my limited experience and my understanding from those who ARE experts, with both of these styles of hooks, letting the fish load the rod or a sweeping hookset with a low rod angle are the way to go.

OldBaldGuy · 07-08-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Benson

Arggh! Missed two good bites last night and can't afford to do that. Using cut chub for bait and a standard large Eagle Claw hook. I know this has been discussed before but....what hooks are you guys proud of? I'd really like SAM825's opinion. Sam is the man with a flathead plan.

Take this for what it's worth (probably not much), but when I get a chance to teach a beginner's fishing class, I talk to them about the importance of really sharp hooks. I tell them my "rule of thumb" is if I can pronounce the name of the manufacturer easily, it often needs sharpening fresh out of the package.

They cost a bit more, but lately I've concentrated on tying flies using either Gamakatsu or Daiichi hooks.

GenericAngler · 07-08-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBaldGuy

Take this for what it's worth (probably not much), but when I get a chance to teach a beginner's fishing class, I talk to them about the importance of really sharp hooks.

I noticed after listening to this advice a few times....and then actually following the advice --- that there have been many less 4 letter words come out of my mouth the last few trips because of missed hook sets....

cutbaitking · 07-08-2008, 09:45 AM

circle hooks!!! gamakatsu preferably

anywhere from 3/0-6/0. just don't pull the bait out of his mouth when you are setting the hook. all you need is a gentle pull.

GenerousAngler · 07-08-2008, 09:57 AM

People seem to use a lot of Gamakatsu Octopus Circle in Red and Black. For those who demand a 10/0 or 12/0 Daiichi makes a red Octopus Circle that complements the end of Gamakatsu's product line.

Liver hooks are a double hook with a safety pin welded to the back. People use them for all kinds of cut bait.

Gamakatsu makes Big River hooks in 10/0 and 12/0.

There is a store in South Lincoln that carries all of the above and more for catfishing people.

(Please excuse the shameless self promotion.)

BucksnBlues · 07-08-2008, 10:26 AM

Thanks for the advise on the hooksets. I've got Kahle style hooks in my tackle box but was hesitant to try them because of the question on the hookset, but I'll give them a try now.

G.A., what's the name of the store in south Linclon? The liver/cutbait hook sounds interesting.

07-05-2008, 12:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gary Benson Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cambridge NE Posts: 97	Catfish hooks Arggh! Missed two good bites last night and can't afford to do that. Using cut chub for bait and a standard large Eagle Claw hook. I know this has been discussed before but....what hooks are you guys proud of? I'd really like SAM825's opinion. Sam is the man with a flathead plan.

07-05-2008, 01:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dogman Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Walton Posts: 82	I use Rapala 5/0 offset fast grip blood red hooks. Works great. __________________ Happiness is a rapala.

07-05-2008, 01:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
holdemplyer 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: May 2007 Location: omaha - want to live in the country again Posts: 1,221	Gary, one thing with circle hooks, when you get a bite, do not set the hook. Let the fish run with it and the resistance of your rod will set the hook, 9 times out of 10, right in the corner of the mouth. Alex __________________ Want to Volunteer at the NEFGA booth at the Nebraska State fair? Shoot me a PM!

07-05-2008, 02:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Alex T. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: in a laydown blind Posts: 2,742	Getting hits on cut chubs is probably either channels/blues or bass.5/0 or 6/0 Daiichi circle hooks are my number 1 choice. I am trying a different circle hook this year for a test run. Will let ya know how they do after tonite. Circle hooks are rough to use at first when your'e used to setting the hook and will take some getting used to.The best scenario is to cast your bait out,get your rod in a good pole holder and leave just a little slack in your line so the fish can run a little and set the hook itself.IMO,if your'e gonna catch and release your cats, circle hooks are ideal since 95%+ of the hooks will be in the corner of their mouths. If your'e going after flatheads and using live bait,circle hooks will work but IMO ya need to bigger since the fish's mouth is different than channels/blues.Plus,a flathead has no problem taking big baits. Alex __________________ FORGET THE FISH.........BRING ON THE FOWL ! !

07-05-2008, 04:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sam825 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lincoln Posts: 499	Gary, I know nothing about channel For flathead, it is depend on size of bait....sometimes I use 8/0, and if my bait is small, the obviously 5/0 or 6/0. I do not use circle hooks much, but I do carry 8/0 circle hooks as well. As Alex mentioned, the size/with of the mouth is different between flathead and channel. But to me, either case, won't hurt to use bigger/badder bait to catch bigger/badder fish....eliminate time bothered by small fish anyway Sam __________________ Butthead: Shut up, bunghole! Beavis : What's a bunghole? Butthead: A bunghole is what you are, bunghole!

07-05-2008, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
catchNrelease Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 177	5/0 or 6/0 Owner or Gamakatsu Circle hooks are what I use for channel cats, and they work great. I would think the same type of hook only a bit larger would work great for flatheads as well

07-05-2008, 01:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
tmn515 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 369	CIRCLE HOOKS!!! Troy

07-05-2008, 03:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Gary Benson Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cambridge NE Posts: 97	These are definitely channels. I did land one nice one last night. I'm fishing in heavy fast current and have bullheads nibbling on the bait until a real fish comes along. I just ignore the bullheads' sorry efforts and when a channel grabs it he hooks himself. I'll try some circle hooks. Thanks guys.

07-06-2008, 09:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
BucksnBlues Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Somewhere South of Nemaha Posts: 48	Gary, it sounds like you're fishing a river......Gar may be the culprits here. They love creek chubs and the bite is similar to a Channel, quick and sharp tugs....just a thought. __________________ ><{{{o> ............................................ The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised. ..............................................<o}} }><

07-07-2008, 01:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
thedarkarcher Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 196	kahle hooks have provided me with the highest # of hookups and rarely are swallowed, i think they hook more fish than using a circle hook and loading the rod...

07-07-2008, 01:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
Fish Recycler 2007 NEFGA Angler Of The Year Finalist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Council Bluffs, IA Posts: 1,119	Kahles and circles are both good choices. Join Recycled Fish and we'll send you a couple of Daiichi blood red circle hooks to try out in your "Stewardship Kit" that goes to all new members! __________________ You can be a Fish Recycler too...let 'em swim. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-08-2008, 07:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
BucksnBlues Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Somewhere South of Nemaha Posts: 48	Kinda hijacking the thread here, but when using a kahle hook, do you set the hook like when using a standard "J" hook, or let the fish set it like when using a circle hook? __________________ ><{{{o> ............................................ The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised. ..............................................<o}} }><

07-08-2008, 08:03 AM	#14 (permalink)
thedarkarcher Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 196	personally, i let the fish run and strip line with the bait a little then set the hook when using a kahle, with a circle hook i let the fish run out of line and load the rod itself.

07-08-2008, 08:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
Fish Recycler 2007 NEFGA Angler Of The Year Finalist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Council Bluffs, IA Posts: 1,119	Not a hijack at all - seems right in line with the nature of the thread. I'm no expert on catfishing, circles or kahles, but in my limited experience and my understanding from those who ARE experts, with both of these styles of hooks, letting the fish load the rod or a sweeping hookset with a low rod angle are the way to go. __________________ You can be a Fish Recycler too...let 'em swim. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-08-2008, 09:45 AM	#18 (permalink)
cutbaitking Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: outdoors Posts: 64	circle hooks!!! gamakatsu preferably anywhere from 3/0-6/0. just don't pull the bait out of his mouth when you are setting the hook. all you need is a gentle pull.

07-08-2008, 09:57 AM	#19 (permalink)
GenerousAngler Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 19	Catfish hooks for cut bait People seem to use a lot of Gamakatsu Octopus Circle in Red and Black. For those who demand a 10/0 or 12/0 Daiichi makes a red Octopus Circle that complements the end of Gamakatsu's product line. Liver hooks are a double hook with a safety pin welded to the back. People use them for all kinds of cut bait. Gamakatsu makes Big River hooks in 10/0 and 12/0. There is a store in South Lincoln that carries all of the above and more for catfishing people. (Please excuse the shameless self promotion.) __________________ Peter

07-08-2008, 10:26 AM	#20 (permalink)
BucksnBlues Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Somewhere South of Nemaha Posts: 48	Thanks for the advise on the hooksets. I've got Kahle style hooks in my tackle box but was hesitant to try them because of the question on the hookset, but I'll give them a try now. G.A., what's the name of the store in south Linclon? The liver/cutbait hook sounds interesting. __________________ ><{{{o> ............................................ The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised. ..............................................<o}} }><

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