Setting the Hook Problems

The problem: I’m occassionally setting the hook back into the bullhead on the hook set when Mr. Flathead comes a callin. The set up is 40lb Big Game line, a bullhead hooked just up from the tail on a 7/0-8/0 Mustad Big Game hook. Do you think I need to go even larger on the hook? Different hook placement? I havent had the problem on rigs rigged with 50 lb power pro. The hook, I think, pops of the bullhead well. But I havent caught enough on that rig to really comment. Whats the solution? Circle hooks for channel cats are the way to go but for flatheads on live bait I’m not having the success I want either.

Hey. From my last cat trip I learned several valuable things. For hooks, “size matters not” as long as it’s fairly strong and sharp. Of course it has to be big enough to dig in a little. We used long rod holders sticking straight up and the fish would actually hook themselves (with bail closed) when they swam away with the bait. If you have a good rod holder, try that because the rod will act like a catapult. If you are trying to set the hook yourself, then I don’t know, maybe give the fish an extra few seconds before setting. Hope that helps.

Dirk…. i have the same problem too many times ….. enough to make a man go insane!! THere have been times when i had a run and set the hook while it was running, and if the bait stayed on, there would be tooth marks and a squished part between the head and dorsal fin. i would assume it is small channels playin wiht the bait, but i dunno really. Since you are using bullheads, you shouldnt have to wory about scales on yr hook, but if you are using a minnow with scales (sucker) make sure they are off the hook after ya poke the little bugger, cuz that can make a difference.

I have channels crush and kill live minnows all the time. I think they do it for sport sometimes. I’ve never caught a channel catfish on a bullhead, even when I’m fishing small ones. Its a bummer when your bullhead comes back with the hook point set back into the bait and the sides of the bait look like they went through a power sander. “I wonder how big that one was” is always my first thought!!

I disagree with you big time carp chaser. Hook size is incredibly important. I have had this happen too and I think it is just that some time smaller fish will fold the bait over in their mouth if they take it in funny. this cause the hook point to enter into the bait again affecting the hooks penitration. although I think it is probably just the drag slipping on those crappy quantum reels. seriously though I htink a bigger hook helps solve this problem. It happens to me every once in awhile still with 9/0s but I still love the hooks wont change till I find something better

In addition to maybe going a bit larger, have you tried hooking the bullhead through the top lip just behind the jaw bone? If you’re fishing in current, this might be a better option. That struggling bullhead could put that hook through itself if it’s got enough line to wiggle with. Just my thoughts.

matt

Dirk,
I know of what you speak! It happens often. Maybe it’s time to get out an try larger and larger hooks until you don’t get bit at all. Maybe a wider gap will help. Let’s get out and play!
Tuck

Well I’m just going off my experience when I say hook size isn’t important. Honestly I have had better luck with smaller hooks than large ones, yet I’ve been told the bigger the hook the better. ??? I caught my 40″ recently with a hook that most flathead fishermen would probably laugh at. I use bullheads too and they have worked fine for the most part with a hook through the tail setup. By the way last year my brother caught a 6 pound channel in Vermillion Slough on a bully so it does happen once in a while.