What hook do you use with cut bait?

So my buddy and I spent the day out on pool 4 friday searching for cats. After dialing it in we ended up catching 13 channel cats between 7 and 13 pounds and one small flathead. We consider that a pretty good day, but it could have been better cause we missed 50% of our bites. What can we do to get better hook up percentages? We were using 6/0 team catfish circle hooks with a 1-1 1/2 inch chunk of cut sucker hooked once. We were using medium rippin lips rods with 30 and 40lbs mono. 3 to 5oz no roll sinkers dependant on current. We usually let the poles sit in holders, and when we get a bite we let the rod load up with the weight of the cat then pick up the pole and start reeling. We are after larger channel cats so we figure some of the missed bites are coming from smaller fish, but there was a few that we got halfway to the boat that were large fish that came unhooked. We were guessing that we were using to big or to small of circle hooks, or maybe we should have tried J hooks. Just seeing how we can improve. Thanks guys

that sound like the rig I use when I go to Lockport Canada. Just have to make sure no scales on the tip of the hook and DO NOT try setting the hook when using a circle hook.

Sounds like you were doing everything correct, and nothing wrong with that size for chans around here. Either it was just an off day on hook up ratio and a little bad luck, or those hooks suck. Next time put a gami circle on one of the rods and fish the hooks side by side and compare results from the day. There’s a few versions/brands of circles I don’t care for with a severely overbent tip.

It’s been the the spring of rhe missed hookups. Lots of whisker hooked cats. Many, many large and small cats half way to the boat up to the boat and even in the net and they open their mouth and let go. Try a 4/0 and smaller bait. Maybe small floats or spinners between hook and sinker. Maybe Santee Cooper rig.its been frustrating at times. Good luck

I use that same hook just a size smaller for channels. I would be willing to bet your bait hook was a bit large for the nibbles you were getting and the lost bigger fish…well that happens.

I like the comparing hooks of different brands idea though. I did that a few years back and settled for the Team Cat Circles and Super J’s in 8/0 for flats.

But the best way is to try it for yourself.

Cooking out there this weekend! Nights were beautiful!

Your post describes occasional sheepshead.

They love cut bait. When you get good you can tell by the bite it is sheep. They love to come off half way to boat.

This time of year I only use 8/0 circles. I’ll downsize to 5/0 in dead of winter.

Also,

It is very common to hook a channel catfish in the skin. Only lightly fighting them in light current will bring them to the boat.

13 channels is good. I wouldn’t fret.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

I use that same hook just a size smaller for channels. I would be willing to bet your bait hook was a bit large for the nibbles you were getting and the lost bigger fish…well that happens.

I like the comparing hooks of different brands idea though. I did that a few years back and settled for the Team Cat Circles and Super J’s in 8/0 for flats.

But the best way is to try it for yourself.

Cooking out there this weekend! Nights were beautiful!

I find the Team Catfish double action hooks work really well with cutbait for both cats and sturgeon. You can let them load up, or you can set the hook. Good hooks IMHO.

Thanks everyone. Went back out today and a much better hook up ratio on the 8/0 circle hooks. We had 3 people in the boat and caught 14 channels most between 10 and 14 pounds, and also 3 flatheads, two of which went 21 and a 24 lbs. Real good day. All came on cut bait. Fished from 1pm-dark.

Jeff, fishing fast water?

Yes. Outside bends on the edge of rock. Also fished a few current seems with rock as well, but the outside bends in current have been better. At dark we hit a current edge next to a larger flat we caught a few big channels on the current side, and the 24 lb flat on the slack side. Also missed a nice flat bite their, but we got chased off the water by mosquitos. I dropped the ball and forgot the repellant.

Thanks, that is about where I have been finding them as well…FAST water.

FAST water….Isn’t that why they are called…”Channel” cats?

Get yourself a Thermocell and leave it in your boat. They take about 15 minutes to warm up and be effective so I try to get mine going early if I remember. Those things will surprise you!

Brian Klawitter wrote:

FAST water….Isn’t that why they are called…”Channel” cats?

Get yourself a Thermocell and leave it in your boat. They take about 15 minutes to warm up and be effective so I try to get mine going early if I remember. Those things will surprise you!

Indeed… Until the temps decline then they fall back to lower current. Lateral movement.