Question for the crappie experts. I normally straight-line from the pier at Jordan using size 4 crappie hooks. Although I've caught some nice slabs, almost all the crappie completely swallow the hooks. I have to literally pull it's guts out to get the hook. Someone told me to use a bigger hook like the size 2 instead. Will that solve the problem? Or will using circle hooks work better? Thanks in advance.

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I use #2 hooks and very seldom gut hook.

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Early to bed, Early to rise, Fish like H@** And make up LIES! Tight lines to everyone

#2 is all I use and hardly ever have one swallowed. I'd be willing to bet that a large majority go with thin #2's as well. It's a pretty common crappie hook. I've also used long shank #2's and they work fairly well too with regard to not having them swallowed and making removal easy

PG24

Thanks Crappiefinder & PG24. I'll make the change and see how things work out.

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I'm always smiling after I've had a CRAPPIE day!

used to use 4's....switched to 2's. miss less fish, and less gut hooked.

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My (granted, limited) experience suggests a size 1 or 2 aberdeen hook is best for high hookup rates with low gut hooks. In addition, I've found the best way to reduce gut hooks is to pay close attention to your lines and set the hook as quickly as possible. If I do this while straight-lining, my gut hook ratio almost goes to zero. For this same reason, I dislike fishing with bobbers as the slack in the line always delays how quickly I can set the hook which increases the percentage of gut hooks. Fishing with jigs instead of minnows is really the best way around this problem but jigs are not always practical, or productive.

yep......... my preference is #2 truturn gold hook and then just open the gap a touch.. :-)

Yep, #2 GOLD hooks..

BUZZZZ

yep. look careful though at aberdeens. use the 2/0 not the plain''2''. difference in trhe gap

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ENOMAN

Thanks everyone for the advice. Tried the #2 hooks the other night. Not one was swallowed. Hooked the crappie right in the lip where it's supposed to. Easy to remove. Thanks again.

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I'm always smiling after I've had a CRAPPIE day!