[MattsTackleBox]

Howdy folks!

Looking for a bit of feedback and opinions on hooks. Specifically circle hooks. What are your general guidelines for hook sizes? What is your go to size for multi species catfishing? What size hooks do you keep in your tackle box?

 

[D schuerenberg]

I use whisker seeker triple threat mostly 10-0 8 -0 smallest I use

 

[Dale k]

10/0 Gamakatsu big cat circle. Like them better then 8/0

 

[spokey9]

I base hook size on bait size...bigger bait needs a bigger hook...but you don't need a 10/0 for liver or worms 🤣

 

[typer181]

I use 8/0 drifting for channels in my local reservoirs. 10/0 and just got some WS triple threat 12/0 for fishing the Ohio. I always use an offset hook shank with a bent eye for snelling. I do like the Charlie brown style circles for drifting.

 

[River_monster91]

Gamakatsu 8/0 octopuss circles for all catfishing.

 

[Happyfisher]

If you're channel fishing you certainly don't need an 8/0, unless you're fishing where they have those 30+ lbers or using a larger piece of bait. Sometimes they like smaller baits, I guess you could put a quarter size piece if bait on an 8/0 hook but might work better on a 5/0 or 6/0

 

[csurowiec]

Mustad Demon Perfect Inline circles in 8/0. I have great results with them but I am required in Maryland, in tidal waters, when using finfish for bait, to use inline circles to avoid gut hooking striped bass.

 

[typer181]

If you're channel fishing you certainly don't need an 8/0, unless you're fishing where they have those 30+ lbers or using a larger piece of bait.

You're absolutely right about that. I should have specified that I only target large channels and commonly use whole 6" shad cut Santee style. The large gap in the 8/0 is needed to ensure plenty of hook tip is exposed. I've also found that different hook brands can vary their sizing by big margins. I've found Mustad hooks run small.

 

[River_monster91]

I just use bigger baits whe fishing. I still get 2lb channels on 6" bluegills with the 8/0. Not the best gets em in the eye sometimes.

 

[spokey9]

For channels I use 2/0 - 5/0 depending on where I'm fishing...heck most of my cutbait fishing is on hooks smaller than 7/0...big hooks for me are for big live bait

 

[roundhouse]

2/0-5/0 depending on whether I am going for a bunch of eaters with small baits or big blues with halt a bluegill or big shad bait. (Not that I catch many of either as I am not a good fisherman but I LOVE IT!)

 

[metalman]

I primarily use 8/0 Gamakatsu inline straight eye circles for my Ohio River fishing and 4/0 - 5/0 for places like the White river where I use smaller baits, expecting smaller fish.
I am a firm believer in matching the hook to the bait and not to the size of the fish I'm after. If conditions dictate a smaller bait, a big hook is not necessary.
A bit off topic but worth a mention....
Many of you will have seen the 222lb Wels caught in Spain recently. That fish was caught on a Nash Fang X, size 4 carp hook. This is that hook alongside a few of the hooks many of us typically use:

Left to right: 10/0 Kahle, 10/0 Charlie Brown, 8/0 Gamakatsu. The little one in the middle is the size 4 Fang X.

...W

 

[truckgrandpa]

My largest catfish last year, a 15# flathead, was caught on (of all things) a #4 baitholder J hook, with about 1/2 nightcrawler. On 8# Kast King braid.

 

[Hunter62]

Whisker Seeker Triple Threat here in 8/0 I bought some 5/0 for winter fishing(recommended by a friend) with small bait but the 54pounder I caught, the hook really did not fit around the jaw. Hook fell out after netting.

not all 8/0's are the same size...as well as any given size

 

[twaskom]

Woohoo, all that info is enough to make your head spin.

I have had great performance with Gamakatsu Octopus 8/0 circles. Always sharp, with decent prices for the 25 pack on eBay.

I have some 10/0s I keep with me that I am sure would work for big fish but the price jumps up when buying them. IF I know I am fishing for smaller channel cats, I will down size my hook size to a 4/0 or 5/0 Gamakatsu hook. An 8/0 would work but I think I get more hookups with channels by down sizing a little.

Two tips. Always check your hooks for sharpness. And, always snell a circle hook.

tight lines

 

[Steves1911]

I run owner ssw offset circles. Anything from a 4/0 to 9/0 depending on bait size and species.

 

[spokey9]

Owner ssw are my absolute favorite hook

 

[prlwng]

Catch mostly channels. 6 to 7 ott for chicken bait. Also cut creek chubs etc. When useing cut bullheads or like heads off suckers will 8 ott. The sucker heads will cut length wise in half. Works great when channels are running 15 lb plus. Kind fun when you can get several big channels offn one half head.

 

[truckgrandpa]

That flathead I caught on the #4 J hook was hooked inside his mouth, about 3" in at the side of his mouth. Nowhere near the "tooth ridge", naturally. That small hook probably wouldn't have penetrated deep enough to reel him in.