Thread: Anybody use circle hooks for cats?

Originally Posted by gabowman

Bouncing rods generally mean small (er) fish which doesnt usually just take the bait and try leaving the area. I may be mistaken, but most circle hook fishermen are usually after larger fish. I'd love hearing from the guys about using circle hooks catching the smaller guys...the ones that just jerk the hook and bounce the rods.

I use circle hooks exclusively for channel cats and have caught a few thousand using them. I use dip baits mostly and have caught cats up to 17 lbs on circles. I use #1 or #2 with rubber tubing for the dip bait fishing. Cattracker baits(Jo Jo's Pole Snatcher and Wicked Sticky). I like to let the fish take the bait and then just reel 'em in. I prefer to hold the pole. I use 6-7 ft rods with spinning reels and use 8 lb. test. 1/2 oz. sinker with a #7 swivel. This is for lake fishing. God bless.

Most of my cattin is drifting with corks to keep the bait off the bottom.
I rarely miss one with the circle hooks. I use 5/0 with smaller bait and 7-8/0 with larger bait fishin for the big boys and 3-4 foot leaders with 50 lb test.

i like the team catfish circle hooks they are insane sharp there kinda expesive but man they are sweet i fish mostly for channels i use there 3/0 and 5/0 and there secret 7 dip bait is the best ive ever used too they have great products

My biggest reason for using circle, is that I very seldom have a gut hooked fish. Most of the time it is in the corner of their mouth. One problem is that since you do not jerk, the hook must be properly sized according to the size of your bait. I prefer bluegill, fileted. Cut into strips 1/4 to 3/8" thick. Length does not matter. Just the thickness. Test it and see what works for you. I also found that if I fish under a bobber with a stop (depth control), I catch larger fish. It seems that on the bottom, the smaller fish clean my bait off. They will not feed up in the water column where larger fish can see them. They hug the bottom. Large catfish feed both on the bottom and high in the water column. Just my two cents worth.

Chuck

I use sickle hooks, Or Charlie Brown Octopus Circle hooks. These hooks you can set the hook or allow the fish to set it there selfs.
Also I beli believe in fishing under a float anything I can.
Do a Search for Wild Wolf Products. Great hooks and floats also.
Pete

ya im going to be ordering some kat bobbers and glow sticks from you here in a few weeks

Originally Posted by Fishstick

ya im going to be ordering some kat bobbers and glow sticks from you here in a few weeks

Both are on sale, but will be going off sale toward the end of the week.
Pete

I use circle hooks on all my catfish jugs. They seem to work very well. Thought about using a smaller size circle hook on my crappie noodles next year.

Only when fishing for little cats (to 15lbs or so) with cutbait. I still like a big Eagle Claw offset J hook in a 7 ought for live bait (bream/perch). I still like to cross their eyes when fishing for flatheads...let em know Im there if ya will. lol

cartags I use both circle and khale style hooks went yesterday to try out my new shimano baitrunners and they are the ticket....preset your drag then also set your baitrunner drag according to the baitsize or current ...When the fish takes the bait the spool will be screaming and you just wind once or physically engage the drag with the flip of a switch and he is all yours I got into em up to 30lbs. here on the James in richmond virginia wich is about a norm here that river is eat up with catfish ....30lbs. is a citation size blue cat and the local guides will offer trips no citation no pay , that in itself is a tell tale sign for sure.........good luck and check out the baitrunners I think all catfishermen should have at leaste one in their arsenal....