Selecting the correct hook size for catfishing is a necesary part of the process. The correct hook size will ensure that the hook stays within the mouths of the fishes. Catfish have a certain type of mouths, and if the hook that is used is too small or of the wrong types, the fish will be able to pulling the hook free from it’s mouth.
You must select a hook that matches your bait and one that is matched to the size of the catfish that are being target. Using a hook size chart will help to ensure that the guesswork is remove from the process of selecting the correct size of fishing tackle for the specific type of catfish that are being targetted. There are several types of hooks that can be used when catfishing.
How to Choose the Right Hook for Catfish
Circle hooks is designed to allow the hook to set into the corner of the fish’s mouth and are typicaly used in conjunction with live bait. Kahle hooks have a wide gap in the hook and are ideal for using cut bait. J-hooks are traditional hooks that require an aggressive hook set when the fish is felt.
Treble hooks have three points to the hook and are typicaly used in conjunction with stink bait and a sponge. Octopus and wide-gap hooks are used with natural bait such as crawfish. Thin wire will allow the hook to enter the jaw of the fish, but thin wire may straighten when used with larger fish species.
Thick wire is more likely to hold with larger fish but must have a gap that match the baits profile. You must select the type of hook based off the different species of catfish that may be in the water. Channel catfish will typicaly weigh 15 pound or less so mid-range hooks are best for these fish.
Blue and flathead catfish can be much heavier so bigger and more heavy hooks will be required to catch these species. Bullhead and white catfish are small fish and should be caught with tiny hooks so the bait does not overhang on the hook. Using a hook size chart can assist anglers in this situation because the chart will have different types of hooks grouped by the weight classes of the catfish.
The type of bait that is used when fishing will impact the type of hook that is select for fishing for catfish. If nightcrawler bait is used, an octopus hook can be used because the octopus hook allows the nightcrawler to wriggle within the hook. Cut shad bait can be caught with a circle hook or a wide-gap hook so the oils from the cut bait can trail behind in the water.
Chicken liver bait will work best in conjunction with a kahle or treble hook because the softness of the chicken liver will cause it to fall off the soft hooks. Live perch bait can be used for flathead catfish but will require a hook with heavy wire to penetrate the perchs bone. The type of bait selected for catching catfish will require that the hook match that bait because using a hook that is too large for the fish will cause the fish to spit the bait out of mouth, while a hook that is too small will bend when the fish take the bait on the hook.
The type of fishing environment can have an impact on the type of bait that can be used. For example, rivers have currents so slip sinker rigs and heavier leaders is used when fishing in rivers to help the bait remain on the bottom of the riverbed. In lakes, where there are no currents, paternoster rigs or Santee Cooper rigs can be used.
If the fishing area is known to be shallow spring spawn, lighter wire will be used. However, deep water can be found in lakes during the summer so large 8/0 circle hooks are used in these areas. J-hooks work well in the fall for the middle depths of lakes.
In winter, when the catfish is sleeping, smaller sized hooks can be used since the activity of the fish is reduce in the winter months. The wire gauge of the hook determines the strength of the hook. Fine wire is used for small species of catfish while heavy wire is used to hook trophy fish.
The leader for the bait can be made of light monofilament if you are fishing for channel catfish. For blue catfish, a braided main line with fluorocarbon shock leaders will work best. When using circle hooks, a Palomar knot will join the bait to the fishing line.
The hooks should also be organized by size so that they are easy found when fishing. By following these steps for selecting the correct hook for fishing for catfish, anglers will find that they are able to catch fish on the hook.