[dmc888]

I bought some 8/0 gamakatsu circles a while ago. Tried them out with no luck. Went fishing 3 times and never hooked anything. Had plenty of bites. Never caught any flatheads before. I'm guessing it works better for flatheads. Or my hooks are too big. I use the gamakatsu 4/0 j hooks and they work great. The lake near me has some 5lb channels. And there is plenty of room for the 8/0 hook to fit in their mouths.

 

[BKS72]

I use 6,7, and 8 g'katsu circles and haven't had a problem catching channels with them. If I am missing them on bigger hooks/bait, I go to a smaller circle. If the channels are hitting hard, they usually hook themselves every time.

 

[SSG Johnson]

Ive caught them as small as 3 pounds on circles.

 

[centralcalcat]

I have caught them down to the 1 lb range and up to the 10+ range. They work great.
-brian

 

[dmc888]

What type of sinker setups do you guys use and do you set the hook or just start reeling? Tightlined right?

Thanks

 

[joesf]

The problem is more than likely the bait. On circle hooks you need to have the point exposed and the gap open try using less bait.

 

[BKS72]

I usually just run a slip rig (sinker and bead above my swivel) and a 12-24" leader to my hook. In lakes or places with no current, 1/2 or 1 oz of weight, in the river, same rig but 3-8oz of weight. I usually go tightlined and don't touch the pole until I can tell the fish has hooked himself. If they give it a decent hit, they seem to hang themselves almost every time. Once the rod starts bouncing around in the holder, just pick it up an start reeling.

 

[crazy]

Well of course they work. I have caught channels as small as 7"-8" all the way up to 27LB's on circles. The main thing is you have to match size of bait and size of fish to the hook. If it's just a lot of dinks in the pond/lake/river where you are fishing. Then you probably don't want to use an 8/0 hook. Channels are also a little bit more picky. They like to sit there and dink around with the bait first before taking it. Not like a blue that just slams it and goes.

 

[BigB]

An 8/0 circle is awful big for a 5lb fish. I think I would down size to a 4/0. Make sure your hook point is exposed with room in the gap. Good luck!

 

[ksutroubleii]

Since I switched to circles, I love them and won't use anything else. Match hook size to bait, leave enough of the point exposed, and most importantly make sure it is ultra sharp.

 

[Alaskacat]

I've had GREAT results with circle hooks and channels. I use 1/0 and 2/0. If ya look on ebay for Cat Grabber Cirlce Hook Sponge Rigs you'll see the set up I use to catch 'em from pan sized up to 5 pounds. Getting the hook set hasn't been a problem either. They just kinda do it themselves. Just don't try to cross their eyes like you would with a J hook. Steady pressure is what you're lookin' for. Hope this helps.

Jim

 

[dmc888]

Thanks for the help guys. The hooks are probably too big then. I use 4/o j gamakatsu hooks and like the size, but would'nt i need a larger circle size because of the design. I'm thinking 4,5, or 6 size gamakatsus. I want to hook the 2lb-5lb range.

 

[dmc888]

Heres a pic of my hooks i have and a 4 1/2lber i caught a couple days ago. Hooks are 2/0 mustad,4/0 gamakatsu,7/0 octopus, a 8/0 g. circle. The 4/0 is my favorite.

 

[barbel]

This part of the topic may be long dead, but if you are having a hard time getting hookups, like someone above said, make sure the point is exposed, and the gap isnt TOO blocked. And if its just an issue of the cat not getting the hook in its mouth, that shouldnt be a problem (caught a 6 ounce bullhead on an 8/0) but you can downsize to 4/0. Those are almost perfect size for eating sized channels and bullheads.

 

[indiana_fishin]

i went fishin 4 a little bit tonight.One bite,my 1st since using circles.i could see the line slowly going out then finally my rod started bending and jerking so i figured he was on.I lifted up and reeled a little bit and he was gone?Will jerking the pole pull the hook out of his mouth or hook him?cuz he sure wasnt gonna hit hard enuff 2 do it himself

 

[Alaskacat]

That sounds like it might be a gar. I don't like gar. Gar are bad.

Jim

 

[Guest]

A few weeks ago I caught a 5", yes thats a "5 inch" channel cat on a 6/0 Gama circle hook baited with a 3" by 1" piece of cut bait. Lol, I had dozed off in my chair and when I woke up I noticed my line was way off to the side in the opposite direction of where I had casted it. Reeled it in and there that little thing was, hooked through the corner of the mouth with that big ole hook.

 

[dmc888]

Well i was using bluegill cutbait 1x3 inch and about half inch thick and hooked thru the back once about half an inch positioned on the inside of the hook. Maybe they were feeling the hook . I could try to fillet a bluegill and cover most of the hook. Tried some 3inch goldfish hooked thru the tail too. I'll give them another try.

I love when that happens. For me its usually a small cat or a sheephead.

 

[CJ21]

Thats a nice channel and a good looking rig 888!

 

[wolfman]

Absolutely yes, they do work on channels. Ive caught about 20 channel cats this year ranging from 2-8 pounds. All were hooked with a 8/0 Gama octopus circle.