Catfish hooks

[justletmein]

So I'm a saltwater angler but when we hunt out West Texas I like to fry up some catfish for dinner in camp. We catch bull reds nonstop with mutu 1/0 circle hooks and fish bites on the coast. Last year I showed up with mutu 1/0 circles and earthworms and missed run after run, probably a 6 to 1 ratio run to hookup. Switched to Danny King's and treble hooks with the same issue. It doesn't really matter as I'm not trying to fill a cooler, but I'm not one to half *** things so I need to do better this year. I'm thinking these cats need a bigger circle with a larger gap. Am I on the right track? Some of the runs were absolute screamers.

[CabezaBlanca]

I use a 4/0 to 6/0 hook for cats.

[CabezaBlanca]

And I use an 8/0 for bull reds.

[justletmein]

And I use an 8/0 for bull reds.

I'll use an 8/0 mustad classic circle when using cut bait for more hook in the bait but I don't like using cut bait because it's messy. Lol

[red]

i like the 8/0 circle hooks for cats. i look for ones that have a quarter sized gap between the tip of the barb to the shank/shaft of the hook. weve caught 2lb to 32lb cats with this hook size.

[NannySlayer]

6 or 8 mustad circle for cats


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[justletmein]

Thx homies, looks like I need more gap. Thinking I'll order a 50 pack of Mustad classic demon perfect circle in 6/0. TBH approved? I'd do 8/0 but wouldn't get here in time.

[Mudbug]

The smallest I use for catfish is a 6/0 all the way to a 12/0 circle hook I've caught someone pound catfish with some of the biggest hooks it's amazing what they can get in their mouth.����

[red]

i keep about 5-6 of both sizes you listed on me. if BIG cats are common i through all 8s. if they are typically smaller i through the 6.

[justletmein]

Rock on, thx guys. I'm not after big ones just want a few for lunch and I like to catch fish when we go back to the boat for lunch.

[Robert]

If you are fishing in a stock tank for eater channel cats and using punch bait #4 treble hooks would be what I would use. If you are chasing big blues with cut bait then 5/0 to 8/0 off set circle hooks with a wide gap.

[Duckologist]

6 or 8 mustad circle for cats


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Yup, mustad ultra point demon circles

[toomuchsun]

I use circles. Prefer offsets. Rod I go small and drop or jug lines larger. And surprise, Gold thin Aberdeen hooks for rod are awesome. Particular with soft bait like shad. They can staighten but if secure hooked, they hold very well without bending. Look at my avator, one of those came from a medium aberdeen while crappie fishing. Snagged, pull it loose without breaking off the leader.

[westtexducks]

If you are fishing in a stock tank for eater channel cats and using punch bait #4 treble hooks would be what I would use. If you are chasing big blues with cut bait then 5/0 to 8/0 off set circle hooks with a wide gap.

This here, we catch the hell out of them with #4 trebles and punch bait I personally like CJs Shad, crawfish, Grasshopper, and monster caught them on all of them. Usually keep a jar of a 3 flavors on the boat and throw one of each in the water which ever is catching best is the one I start throwing on all hooks. I don't let them run though. Keep the line tight and set the hook when they grab ahold of it.

[E.TX.BOWHUNTER]

For fish that are 1-5 lbs. I would use an Eagle Claw 3/0 circle sea hook. 4/0 would be my maximum size. Use cut bait if you can. Perch or shad are best.