Now that a favorite style of hook has been fairly well established. What is the favorite brand?
Printable View
Now that a favorite style of hook has been fairly well established. What is the favorite brand?
Mustad all the way
I don't have any favorite yet but I just pick up some team catfish to put on some jugs. That all the store had.
I usually use Gamakatsu's Octopus Circle hooks, because I usually snell them directly on the line or leader and the upturned eye works with that knot real well. I do have some doubts about whether that inhibits the turn, though, and whether it would be better to attach the circle hooks with a loop or a split ring to give it more flexibility to turn and then maybe to increase hookup.
Does anybody have any experience with a difference like that?
Gamakatsu octopus circles 8/0. I trust them in fresh and saltwater.
I'm keeping a eye on this poll! I'm going to start hunting for the "Big Blues" on my next trip out.......
Mustad demon circle for me. I use them on rod and reel and on limb lines.
Mustad demon circles. I like to bend an offset in it hooks em in corner of mouth dang near every time
Gamakatsu 8/0 also. no1son that is a really good question, I like to polmar knot mine and have never given it a thought. Might be worth a try.
If you like gamma circles, check out invicta hooks at renegade tackle. Great hooks at a great price. I am now " hooked" on gamma 9/0 octo circles. With an octopus hook you can either reel down on em like a circle or if a fish is biting real light, you can set the hook and cross their eyes!
As far as knots go, I Snell all my catfish hooks, i think there is a mechanical advantage to a Snell knot. I look at it like this, take a big ol hay hook and run your finger through the eye and try to hook a bale of hay. You can do it, but the hook will kind of flop around and it tales more pressure to hook up. Now grab the same hook by the shaft, like a Snell knot. You will have much more control and it will take much less force to hook up. I think my hook ups have increased since I started smelling hooks, and I also don't lose as many fish during the battle. And don't forget to sharpen those hooks, even a brand new hook might not be as sharp as possible. This makes the biggest difference for me.