What hooks do you use on bank or trotlines

[mcseal2]

Just curious what everyone liked for set-line hooks. I have tried many and for now am happy with the Eagle Claw King Kahle hooks, 8/0 for standard lines and 10/0 for big bait in really good looking spots. I haven't had one bend out yet that I think was a fish, and I like the sharp point and wide gap for hooking larger bait. I also release many of my fish and I don't seem to hook any more deep than I did with circles.

If you post rely's, please include what species cats you are targeting and with what type and size of bait.

Thanks!

[Dirtdobber]

I use the J hooks 3/0 because I fish for eating size channels. I only set a trotline and limb lines about once a year. We use cut shad and small black perch (Green Sunfish).

[Bad_fisherman21]

I to like the eagle claw king khale hook but i use the 4/0 because i dont catch very many bigger fish usually im catching eater size while im trying for the big boys hahahahahaha:big_smile: but when im having a great day for size ill go up to a much bigger 8/0 so that the bigger fish can be released:roll_eyes::wink:

[KanHeadhunter]

I use Gamakatsu Circle 6/0 or 7/0 and Daiichi Circle Chunk Lite in 5/0.

[KAW RIVER KILLER]

I just used King Kat 12/0 circles for the first time this past weekend. I was running 4-6" bluegill and sunfish and they worked perfect! Every hookset was right in the corner of the flatheads' mouth. I was even able to catch a few eater size channel with that size hook with no problems. I'm hooked on the King Kat circles (yes:wink: the pun was intended)!

[KAW RIVER KILLER]

Hay Heath, do you find an advantage to the khale over the circle, or is it just personal preference? Anyone else feel free to chime in.

[mcseal2]

Hay Heath, do you find an advantage to the khale over the circle, or is it just personal preference? Anyone else feel free to chime in.

I tried the circle sea hooks on lines, and while the fish I caught were hooked in the corner of the mouth, I wasn't happy with my hooking percentage. I used Gamma circles on rod and reel for a while, and had trouble with an active bait, or a fish sticking the point back into the bait. I hook baits through the center of the tail so baits are harder to pull off, and with this hook location the kahles have given me the best percentage so far. With only being able to run 8 bankpoles per person, I want the best hook-up ratio I can get. When the flats were really hitting last spring and the spring before we averaged 40% for a week each year. I had never done that before with other hooks so I have stuck with them. We also got a better boat/motor then and started doing more scouting and fishing better water with better sets, so that had a lot to do with our success as well. I am always looking for a better "cattrap" though, so I thought I'd start this post and see what others are using. I've never seen the king kat circles, are they heavy wire? I like using the lightest wire I can get away with because I think they stick a fish better. I never go lighter than 8/0 king kahles because of the size bait/fish I want but I like that wire diameter.

[gamaCatsu]

i use bass minnows/crawldads and a 2-4/O circle hook

[KAW RIVER KILLER]

I tried the circle sea hooks on lines, and while the fish I caught were hooked in the corner of the mouth, I wasn't happy with my hooking percentage. I used Gamma circles on rod and reel for a while, and had trouble with an active bait, or a fish sticking the point back into the bait. I hook baits through the center of the tail so baits are harder to pull off, and with this hook location the kahles have given me the best percentage so far. With only being able to run 8 bankpoles per person, I want the best hook-up ratio I can get. When the flats were really hitting last spring and the spring before we averaged 40% for a week each year. I had never done that before with other hooks so I have stuck with them. We also got a better boat/motor then and started doing more scouting and fishing better water with better sets, so that had a lot to do with our success as well. I am always looking for a better "cattrap" though, so I thought I'd start this post and see what others are using. I've never seen the king kat circles, are they heavy wire? I like using the lightest wire I can get away with because I think they stick a fish better. I never go lighter than 8/0 king kahles because of the size bait/fish I want but I like that wire diameter.

Yes, the king kat circles are heavy wire. I like the 12/0 the best, it's the biggest hook on that particular gauge of wire. When you go up to the 13/0 I think the wire is a little big for the size bait that I use (4"-7"). They also have a slight offset that a lot of other circles don't have that really helps the hook set %, IMO, and there is about a 75-80 degree bend between the barb and the point that keeps the hook from turning back into the bait. I've been hooking my bait at the base of the dorsal fin and haven't had any problems with the hook turning back into it.

[dobbie]

It just depends on what size of bait I can come up with.Most of my lines have 9/0 eagle claw offset stainless steel hooks.I also use 16/0 circles for large bait.In Oklahoma we are allowed 20 limblines per person.We usually have 3 people in boat so we put out several limblines.We put some close to bottom and some near the surface.I do try and keep my hooks sharp.