By Keith "Catfish" Sutton. If you had checked the end of a catfisherman's line just 20 years ago, you might have found almost any type of hook tied on. Why do Catfish Like Bluegill? O'Shaughnessy Hook. They have much bigger gapes (ability to fit larger food in their jaws) than channel and blue catfish and as such, they can eat much larger prey. Size 6 is also good. I fished the vermillion both sat and sunday night and produced 10 flatheads with 4 over 30 pounds. Initiate the "set" method (setting the hook using a long sweeping hook set). Monofilament fishing line is inexpensive, has stretch or give but is vulnerable to sharp edges & rocks. I personally use a 7 ot for medium blues or flathead and a 5 ot for the smaller channels. For example, if you are fishing for giant blue or flathead catfish, you will want a 50- … 99 Honestly, it depends on your bait. It is, however, more common to use live bait and bluegill for large blue catfish and large flathead catfish. Before that, catfish anglers were limited to finding offshore, bass, musky or trolling rods that would make do. Step 2. You cant really use to big of a hook the only reason they would be to large is if they weighted down the bait and kept it from swimming. Push the hook point out the top of the minnow's head, just behind its eyes. If you’re going for Big-Game Catfish with trotlines, or Flathead fishing, you’ll need a hook with some backbone to it, that won’t twist in current. ... Just slide a good size slip sinker onto your fishing line... and a large swivel. These Charlie Brown hooks come in four different hooks sizes and are best used when trolling, drifting and tightlining in … What size hook you should use depends basically on what size fish you want to catch. In general, when you are going after small cats, use a small hook. When you want to catch the big boys, go for a bigger hook. Triple Threats are designed to allow catfish anglers to use this catfish hybrid circle hook three different ways.. No need to target the smaller catfish with a monster hook and vice versa. Fish like using a traditional circle hook and let the rod "load" (let the catfish hook itself). The only hooks I use for flathead catfish are team catfish 8/0 double action circle hooks, daiichi 7/0 circle chunk light hooks, and eagle claw 4/0 kahle hooks. This gives you a very good ability to “feel” the bite and set the hook effectively. Just Match the hook size to the bait size … That means that … It is best to buy in bulk in packs of 50 or 100. I use Sonny's stink bait, with two Wal-Mart plastic cages, and a number two treble hook. Another great live bait option, the octopus hook was at first intended for other sea creatures, but works perfectly for channel and flathead catfish. Terminal Tackle The size of the leader leads into the last point fighting a flathead once you have it on the hook. The flatheads are also called blue catfish. “A big flathead catfish is hard enough to hook up with. If you fish places like the Red River, or places wherever there can be numerous fish that run 15 to 30 pounds, I recommend using 30-pound line. And most flathead fans prefer one with a "clicker" mechanism that produces an audible signal when line is pulled from the reel, thus indicating a catfish bite. A few waters in the state have more generous daily limits but for channel and blue catfish… If you want to use a very big hook with a very big meal, using Bluegill and Shad heavily limits your available options. The best for flatheads hold at least 200 yards of the line size you intend to use. The bait also has greater role in determining the size of a hook. It is a basic Carolina rig, but the specialized part is what goes on the hook. I rarely use circles hooks smaller than 4/0 and have caught them on circles up to 10/0 when flathead/ blue cat fishing. Treble hooks in the right size choice for channel catfish are number 2, 4, 6 and 8. The same hooks used for blue catfish perform well for flathead catfish also. Fish like using a traditional circle hook and let the rod "load" (let the catfish hook itself). A common and large-growing species, the flathead (Pylodictus olivaris) is one of the ugliest members of the freshwater catfish clan, but also one that is regularly caught in larger sizes and which provides a good struggle on hook and line.It is important both for commercial and recreational use and produces good table fare when taken from clean environments. Of course, there were some one-size-fits-all catfish rods on the market that … Flathead catfish seldom thrive in creeks, ponds and small lakes. They are one of the most sought after species because of their size and commercial value. These fish types are advantageous because most of them can get pretty big. The stretch of monofilament allows it to absorb the shock of hard & big bites from giant catfish. This is for any species or a combination of species. A size 6/0 circle hook will work great for catching the smaller catfish if that’s your goal. (yes, stainless steel!) ; Initiate the "set" method (setting the hook using a long sweeping hook set). From there, you can experiment with different hook sizes and see what works. The smaller the number, the bigger the hook, therefore the number 2 hook is much larger than the number 8 hooks. Thus, the size of a hook has a greater role in catching catfish. I use a 10 ot for the big ones. The number 4 or 6 size is the best all-around hook size when fishing numbers of channel catfish with prepared bait. Blue And Flathead Catfish Hooks Using circle hooks for catfish can result in more hook-ups and reduce mortality of caught-and-released fish. Octopus Catfish Hooks. The size of these species is another option to consider. i got a 60 pound flathead on a hand size bream about 3 years back every since then i loved big cats. Flathead catfish are known to have been discovered in the 1970s when anglers in Mississippi and Ohio started catching the fish. Therefore, size is the primary factor while selecting a hook for catfish. Swivels, Swivels, Swivels – Those cheap trotline clips are great for smaller fish and setting quick lines; however if you’re going after large catfish … Daily limit for catfish set by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is 10. This last rig is designed for channel catfish. This one has been used for a long duration of time. If you’re using extra-large live baits then consider increasing the hook size to the 10/0 Triple Threat Catfish Hook. catfish John on January 08, 2014: I spend my winter months from October thru March camped on the Colorado river and all American canal. I cannot think of a better bait for big flathead catfish than a live bluegill in the 4 to 6-inch range. Decide whether you'll be going after channel catfish, white catfish, bullhead catfish, blue catfish or flathead catfish because the type of hook you choose will depend on the type of fish … Catfish, especially when they reach a larger size, are natural predators of the water. Catfish Hybrid Circle Hooks | Triple Threat's. How To Catch Flathead Catfish With Old School "Stealth Rigs" ... end of the line pinch on 6 to 8 split shots. Monofilament Fishing Line For Catfish. ; Use the "reel" method (reeling down as fast as possible). test. The particular type of catfish you are pursuing will also impact your choice of hook. A number two hook is a good size treble for very large catfish and the largest you want to go with. Flathead catfish just love bluegills. The flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), also called by several common names including mudcat or shovelhead cat, is a large species of North American freshwater catfish in the family Ictaluridae.It is the only species of the genus Pylodictis.Ranging from the lower Great Lakes region to northern Mexico, it has been widely introduced and is an invasive species in some areas. Even the biggest flathead isn’t going to make sizzling billfish runs … I recommend Kahle 145 or 245 Nickels in sizes 5/0 and 6/0, Kahle 254 Stainless in sizes 5/0-8/0, or Tru-Turn Catfish 722BL Cadium-Plated in sizes 6/0-9/0. Then when the movement stops, close the reel and set the hook – hard. But most hook brands will work but DO NOT USE GAMAKATSU hooks these are made of cheap metal and are known for bending and breaking. I prefer the shorter rod with plenty of backbone.Paired up with a light salt water reel spooled with at least a 50# test line and circle hook size 9/0 to use with live bait. It is very simple, strong and sensitive. Cut a 24- to 36-inch long piece of 4- to 6-pound fishing line. Really any flathead, channel or blue catfish over 10-15lb, you can see success with live bait. The octopus hook design is a good, smaller choice for live bait. Best Bait for Flathead Catfish. Generally choose a hook that when the bait has been hooked on, has plenty of hook point exposed and the whole thing can fit right into the mouth of the size fish you are targeting There are countless stories of the giant flathead that got away and it always seems it happened right at the boat. It is a firm, excellent and multi-purpose hook. You need to match the size of your hook to the size of the bait you’re using or the catfish you’re trying to catch. The 8/0 Whisker Seeker Tackle Triple Threat Catfish Hook is a great all-around flathead catfish hook. This catfish rig is what I use to catch most of my catfish. Slide onto the end of your main fishing line a slip sinker, which is a type of sinker that slides up and down the line. Of course, as the fish get bigger, so should your line. Then tie the end of … A number 6 hook is a reliable, standard size. A 6/0 straight hook won’t give you half the holding power that a 6/0 circle hook will provide. It can be used to catch all types of catfish like the flatheads, the channel catfish and the blue catfish which comes in a wide variety of sizes which range up to 10/0. Catfish Hooks Big River Bait Hook 8/0（40pcs）, 10/0( 25pcs ) High Carbon Steel Fishing Hook Saltwater Size Black Nickel 4.5 out of 5 stars 45 $17.99 $ 17 . Live-Bait Rig Step 1. If the hook is too big, catfish may not be able to take the bait. Just like everything in fishing, it all depends. If you are fishing from a boat you will not need to worry about distance casting. The catfish rigs already discussed have focused on larger blue and or flathead catfish. The hook must be … You might use the number 8 if you’re looking for smaller cats. 2" to 18" above this make an 8 inch dropper loop and slap on a 4/0 Kahle hook. You could use a bait hook or octopus hook, but I feel for catfish using bluegills as bait, you really should go with a circle hook. If you’re fishing in a pond with big cats in it, you’ll want to work your way up. How do I know what size hook I should be using when fishing for Catfish? They’re that good… and definitely worth the extra cost. I don’t want to fish all day and lose the big one because I didn’t pay attention to the little details.” Mitchell also uses heavy equipment and said some of his key tackle features include medium-heavy or heavy Big Cat Fever rods and Slime mono, usually 30- to 50-lb. I’d recommend a size 1/0 through 5/0 circle hook. Rods used to catfish have come a long way over just the past five or six years. Determining the size of a hook, smaller choice for channel catfish prepared! 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