Anyone up on hooks for cats? Can you tell me which of these would be the best?
Last question. I’m fishing the Catfish Bar in Afton. Do all the cats run about the same size there? I’m haveing a great time with the ones I’m boating, but after seeing Dirks 52 lber, I would like to run into a 25 lbs plus fish…just to say I kissed on that big. So the question is, should I be moving to a differant location for that big one, or am I just antsy and with some time, she will come?
thanks for the help!
more hooks
Two 5 to 7 lbs cats tonight.
I hate those circle hooks i’ve missed to many fish with them. I use 10/0 gamakatsu octopus hooks and have had a good hook up rate.
Brian – The MN state record is 70# caught out of the St Croix in Washington County, the big fish are there. I caught a 46# fish last year and saw pictures of a 60# fish caught near Hudson. I am in the same boat as you for this year – my biggest flathead was maybe 8#. I have been catching fish but they are all small. The big ones are out there – the only way to get a big one is to keep your hooks in the water. I think the Catfish Bar is a great location for a big fish. Any of the neck down areas should draw big fish. There are really a lot of baitfish showing up now and I think the big cats will be feeding on them.
By the way – I use a variety of hooks and sizes. The circle hook you show is effective, the hooking technique is totally different then your standard “Turn them inside out approach”. When using a circle you want to let them turn with the bait and just start reeling. Don’t slam the hook set or you will pull out the hook. What I like about circle hooks is that you will usually get a fish saving hook up in the side of the mouth. I think they don’t endanger the fish as much as a standard hook. The drawback is that you will sometimes miss hookups. I also use standard large (7/0 or bigger) Mustad and Gamakatsu hooks.
Brian,
I generally use a 6/0 or larger hook (mustad) for cats on the Missouri down here. If I’m fishing with sunnies as bait, I go bigger. By the way, nice cat there in the photo. Looks like you’ve been having some fun!
Ah…. The old hook debate again… I like straight hooks if I am fishing straight down on wood. Usually the strikes aren’t as hard. However, at night when the buggers run… especially away from you. Circle hooks are the bomb. It is harder to set a straight hook into a fish with a lot of line out. A circle hook will set itself and turn the fish in most cases. If it doesn’t turn it, you know to have your buddy pull the anchor up. All of my big fish have come on circle hooks and they get released without their guts hanging out. You may loose a few but if you let them have it, you can pull a cirle hook right out of their stomach and hook the corner of their mouth.
By the way, I haven’t been able to get out for a few weeks. You folks that have are not posting your catch. Some of us need that to remain sane while tied to our workstations. I plan on remedying that This Friday.
Tight Lines and use any old hook you are comfortable with.
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Tight Lines and use any old hook you are comfortable with.
That sure is what it boils down too! But it’s great to get the differant opinions, then make up your own mind. I haven’t be cat fishing enough to know that the c hooks miss a few fish….but then I would rather miss Big Louie than to hook him and kill him.
Thanks for your thoughts guys…you make this site a living source of knowledge! 
Gatta go…my hooks dry….
That is true. Another thing. One of the coolest things that ever happened to me night fishing. I put out three circle hooks with gills on them. I was really tired and decided to lockup the rod holders put some slack out, engage the brakes. I put a bell on each one and passed out….errrr fell asleep. I woke up it sounded like santa had landed on the flat bottom. I had two fish on both hooked solid in the corner of their mouths. It is absolutely awesome pulling in a 15 pounder and wondering if you picked the biggest one first. Try that one with a straight hook. 
I use circle hooks for cut bait and small live bait. They work great. But for larger live bait the hook gap on a circle hook isn’t usually large enough to get the bait on the hook. Larger straight hooks about 10/0 work well for all but the largest live baits…baits that need to be “set” in place and can’t be casted.
I should have known you would get me going Dirk! 
What did you fool that 52 pounder with?
When you say “set in place” baits, you’re leaving a lot the my imagination! Like a 24 inch sucker? I know you can’t use anything but a 7″ or less bull head…so what’s left?
I get this feeling my horizions are going to be expanded here!
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