Hook Recommendation for 2-4" bluegills

I would go to 5/0 or 6/0 hook and hook behind the dorsel fin. I would let them load the rod up hard and let the hook do it's job and you got them. Best advice I can give you for circle hooks.

I would use a 6/0 for that application.

I use a 7/0 or 8/0 kahle for bait that size

I use a 7/0 gamakatsu octopus for almost all my catfishing.

I am with Dale on this one!

You will not get a good hook-up ratio using circle hooks that small, with that large sized bait. I would recommend using 8/0 circles with those baits. You could also use a 7/0 to 10/0 khale.
Often times fishermen miss fish because the hook is buried in the bait and doesn't make contact with the fishes mouth on the way out. Whatever size bait you use, just make sure that there is nothing blocking the space between the point and the shank. That should solve the problem.

for the 2-4" sunnies i would go with a 1 to 2/0 live bait hook placed right through the nostrils... for cut bait the size your using works well enough...

I do that with a bigger hook though the nostrils, but only when I'm drifting or lots of current.

I prefer 7/0 or 8/0 Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks for bait that size. I have a great hook up ratio if I can just manage to get the fish to take my bait!

Great guys. Thanks for your recs. I placed my order today based on a rough average of your responses. I have some larger hooks coming in and I'll take a little more care hooking up to make sure the barb is exposed.

Again thanks alot. Hopefully I'll be posting a big cat pic soon!

I currently use 4/0 octopus circles for 2-4" bluegills

Dreadnaught has a VERY GOOD POINT...hehehehe....point!! You have to have that point exposed well on a circle hook. Do not hide it in the bait. Maximum hook exposure with circles is VERY important!

for live bait this size i use 6/0 to 8/0 circles hooked in the fat just at the back of the dorsel. it allows optimum vibration and allows the fish to work. in the lip or eyes the fish will ride in the current and don't work as well. in the tail can cause the current to open the gills in reverse and drown the fish. right behind to dorsal allows the fish to go where he wants. the more he moves and vibrates trying to free himself the more flash he puts off in turn triggering a fish to strike.

i learned this from watching a guide showing these tech,'s. and use short leaders around structure to avoid the fish getting tangled.

I hope in reading posts ive figured out why ive missed so many fish this year with live baitfish. I usually sink the hook in pretty deep in their backs but i guess ive been covering up too mutch of the hook. I'm gonna have to hook um a little higher up next time. hopefully this gets me hooked up more because i bought alot of circles and kales that just werent working so good for me unless i had on a worm. I seemed to have the best luck with the octo circles as far as circles go, hopefully i get them circles figured out soon those red 7/0 eagle claw circle seas look too mean to be sitting in the tackle box.

JAYNC said:

I use a 7/0 gamakatsu octopus for almost all my catfishing.

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Its what I use for any big fish,strongest hook I've used.

I am with Desperado.

I think you need to go with a slightly bigger hook. It was hard for me to move up to a 7/0 and 8/0 hook, but if you are after big fish that is what you need. Like Mark Sosin says, "let your bait dictate your hook size".

Trust me, a 20# fish will have no problem at all taking a 7/0 hook.

Be sure to let the fish fold that rod over. Don't be too quick on the rod pick up. Many times that initial movement is the fish turning the bait in its mouth so that is will go down head first. Let that rod fols on over and the circle hook will do its job.

Contrary to popular belief, fish don't always attack the bait head first. Countless videos have proven this. They all SWALLOW it head first, but they might grab it from any direction if it is presented to them

I plan on expermenting with live gills this year.Plan to add a stinger hook by the tail, and clip the bottom of the tail off.Set out a couple baits that way the end of last year,but no results yet.Gills did give better action when I rigged them this way.Figure if I'm a little premature,the stinger will still nail them.I only use this rig with the bigger baits.
If someone else sets up this way,let me know how it worked for you.

BILL

I'm surprised no body mentioned the Eagle Claw 84. They cost about 10 cents a piece while alot of others cost 10 times that much. Very easy to find these hooks too,just about any baitshop or sporting goods department stocks them. 3/0 is the favorite for most cut bait situations. 7/0 and up for larger live baits for Flatheads.

Bank Catter, I have to ask... what type of situation are you running those circles in? Based on the fact that you are missing alot of hookups it could be the wrong one. I use 7/0 to 8/0 j hooks for all my catfishing. I cannot stand circle hooks. Keep in mind this is strictly my opinion but, I hate them. You cannot set the hook whatsoever with a circle hook. Instead letting the fish hook itself after it runs 20 yards downstream. I would much rather set the hook and feel the power of p'o'd flathead then let him hook himself. Imo you should switch hookstyle altogether.

IMHO you need to learn how to use circle hooks! If you were using them more you would love them!

SangamonCatKiller said:

Bank Catter, I have to ask... what type of situation are you running those circles in? Based on the fact that you are missing alot of hookups it could be the wrong one. I use 7/0 to 8/0 j hooks for all my catfishing. I cannot stand circle hooks. Keep in mind this is strictly my opinion but, I hate them. You cannot set the hook whatsoever with a circle hook. Instead letting the fish hook itself after it runs 20 yards downstream. I would much rather set the hook and feel the power of p'o'd flathead then let him hook himself. Imo you should switch hookstyle altogether.

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