A Hook For Thought…

A few years back I was talking with a friend about “missing” flathead bites and how that could happen.

He gave me a answer that was almost too simple. “If the hook doesn’t connect with the flat, it’s because the hook was too small and missed the side of the cats mouth.”

That made sense too me although I do believe there might be at least one other cause. That would be the Flathead is too small and doesn’t have the bait or should I say the hook in it’s mouth.

Since most of the cat guys I know aren’t interested in catching little flatheads, I always keep an eye out for larger size J hooks.

When Jeff Williams unveiled his 10/0 Super J hooks, I took a very close look at them. Not only are they larger than what I’ve been using, they have a dip at the bottom of the heavy wire hook to help keep your bullhead (or whatever) in place.

I haven’t used these hooks yet, but we’re sure going to give them a work out starting in three weeks!!

The Meanest Badest Hook on the Market<<

Interesting hobby we have

I’d like to hear from others who have maybe tried these hooks. I was thinking about trying this design, but I’ve heard from 2 different people that they have seen an increase in gut hooked fish with that larger open gap. It could very well be coincidence, but one guy who’s opinion I respect told me he threw his away after gut hooking a few big fish. Even went as far as calling them “fish killers”.

But then again, I fish with a guy who only uses Kahles and those have a super open gap design and we don’t see many gut hooked fish, so who knows.

That’s why I’d like to hear a few more opinions.

I do like that design though. I think Gamakatsu calls them Big River, and Renegade calls them Sickles.

I have used the big river gammies in 12/0. Great for really large baits. Never had an issue with a gut hook with one.

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I have used the big river gammies in 12/0. Great for really large baits. Never had an issue with a gut hook with one.

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That’s good to hear, thanks.

I picked some up.Will give it a side by side comparison shortly.Just need some 9.75 inch fat bullheds.

Are they sold in stores or only online? If so, Where?

Here’s a 10/0 Octopus over the top of a the 10/0 Super J from TEAM CATFISH.

As of today, I’m not sure if they are carried locally.

But they can’ be ordered on line.

TEAM CATFISH 10/0 Super J’s<<

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As of today, I’m not sure if they are carried local

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Bass Pro shop south of Des Moins Iowa.I will walk 500 miles for a good hook….. er…..

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Here’s a 10/0 Octopus over the top of a the 10/0 Super J from TEAM CATFISH.

As of today, I’m not sure if they are carried locally.

But they can’ be ordered on line.

TEAM CATFISH 10/0 Super J’s<<

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Brian,

Here’s the Gamakatsu Big River Bait hooks I picked up last year in 12/0. They’re very similar to the ones you show, but they’re available at Thorne Bro’s in sizes up to the biggest, 12/0. I got the biggest ones available.

The only real issue is that your bait has to be big enough to handle the size of the barb/shaft and still be able to swim at all. But it’s pictured with one of the 10/0 hooks you use. I know it’s one you use because it came home with me from a night in your boat that included my wife knitting while we waited for cats to bite.

Gamkatsu Big River Bait Hooks

The other benefit to using these kinds of hooks is that with the really thick shaft they work well with rattle collars. I have a couple different ones pictured. I picked up the stuff for them at Thorne Bros and JR’s in Brooklyn Park.

All my best fish last year (including the 10# channel cat and the 40+# flathead) came on big life bait with rattles, so I’m something of a believer.

They’re both double rattles but you can get singles. The glass ones I actually bought separately and used a fish hook to stretch the collar enough to slide the rattle tube into it. They stay in place pretty well and if you mount them right every time the bait moves not only does it wiggle the rattles but it bangs them on the hook.

All the other hooks I have used were thin enough that the rattle collars didn’t have much traction and slid up and down the hook, sometimes getting in the way.

Now that’s nifty Armchair!

Thinking those rattles would work well for calling in Sturgeon to. Next year.