what size hook for flathead catfish

The only hooks I use for flathead catfish are team catfish 8/0 double action circle hooks, daiichi 7/0 circle chunk light hooks, and eagle claw 4/0 kahle hooks. There are countless stories of the giant flathead that got away and it always seems it happened right at the boat. The hook must be … The number 4 or 6 size is the best all-around hook size when fishing numbers of channel catfish with prepared bait. They are one of the most sought after species because of their size and commercial value. Daily limit for catfish set by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is 10. If you’re going for Big-Game Catfish with trotlines, or Flathead fishing, you’ll need a hook with some backbone to it, that won’t twist in current. I rarely use circles hooks smaller than 4/0 and have caught them on circles up to 10/0 when flathead/ blue cat fishing. Step 2. It is, however, more common to use live bait and bluegill for large blue catfish and large flathead catfish. Size 6 is also good. ; Use the "reel" method (reeling down as fast as possible). What size hook you should use depends basically on what size fish you want to catch. In general, when you are going after small cats, use a small hook. When you want to catch the big boys, go for a bigger hook. test. A few waters in the state have more generous daily limits but for channel and blue catfish… How do I know what size hook I should be using when fishing for Catfish? If the hook is too big, catfish may not be able to take the bait. It can be used to catch all types of catfish like the flatheads, the channel catfish and the blue catfish which comes in a wide variety of sizes which range up to 10/0. That means that … Why do Catfish Like Bluegill? I recommend Kahle 145 or 245 Nickels in sizes 5/0 and 6/0, Kahle 254 Stainless in sizes 5/0-8/0, or Tru-Turn Catfish 722BL Cadium-Plated in sizes 6/0-9/0. Monofilament Fishing Line For Catfish. The octopus hook design is a good, smaller choice for live bait. If you fish places like the Red River, or places wherever there can be numerous fish that run 15 to 30 pounds, I recommend using 30-pound line. Even the biggest flathead isn’t going to make sizzling billfish runs … This catfish rig is what I use to catch most of my catfish. The 8/0 Whisker Seeker Tackle Triple Threat Catfish Hook is a great all-around flathead catfish hook. If you want to use a very big hook with a very big meal, using Bluegill and Shad heavily limits your available options. If you had checked the end of a catfisherman's line just 20 years ago, you might have found almost any type of hook tied on. They’re that good… and definitely worth the extra cost. I use Sonny's stink bait, with two Wal-Mart plastic cages, and a number two treble hook. The flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), also called by several common names including mudcat or shovelhead cat, is a large species of North American freshwater catfish in the family Ictaluridae.It is the only species of the genus Pylodictis.Ranging from the lower Great Lakes region to northern Mexico, it has been widely introduced and is an invasive species in some areas. ; Initiate the "set" method (setting the hook using a long sweeping hook set). Flathead catfish just love bluegills. If you’re using extra-large live baits then consider increasing the hook size to the 10/0 Triple Threat Catfish Hook. ... Just slide a good size slip sinker onto your fishing line... and a large swivel. Of course, there were some one-size-fits-all catfish rods on the market that … I fished the vermillion both sat and sunday night and produced 10 flatheads with 4 over 30 pounds. This gives you a very good ability to “feel” the bite and set the hook effectively. Just like everything in fishing, it all depends. Triple Threats are designed to allow catfish anglers to use this catfish hybrid circle hook three different ways.. A size 6/0 circle hook will work great for catching the smaller catfish if that’s your goal. Just Match the hook size to the bait size … i got a 60 pound flathead on a hand size bream about 3 years back every since then i loved big cats. A common and large-growing species, the flathead (Pylodictus olivaris) is one of the ugliest members of the freshwater catfish clan, but also one that is regularly caught in larger sizes and which provides a good struggle on hook and line.It is important both for commercial and recreational use and produces good table fare when taken from clean environments. It is a basic Carolina rig, but the specialized part is what goes on the hook. The particular type of catfish you are pursuing will also impact your choice of hook. The smaller the number, the bigger the hook, therefore the number 2 hook is much larger than the number 8 hooks. But most hook brands will work but DO NOT USE GAMAKATSU hooks these are made of cheap metal and are known for bending and breaking. You cant really use to big of a hook the only reason they would be to large is if they weighted down the bait and kept it from swimming. Then when the movement stops, close the reel and set the hook – hard. Monofilament fishing line is inexpensive, has stretch or give but is vulnerable to sharp edges & rocks. These Charlie Brown hooks come in four different hooks sizes and are best used when trolling, drifting and tightlining in … Fish like using a traditional circle hook and let the rod "load" (let the catfish hook itself). Using circle hooks for catfish can result in more hook-ups and reduce mortality of caught-and-released fish. The size of the leader leads into the last point fighting a flathead once you have it on the hook. How To Catch Flathead Catfish With Old School "Stealth Rigs" ... end of the line pinch on 6 to 8 split shots. It is very simple, strong and sensitive. Fish like using a traditional circle hook and let the rod "load" (let the catfish hook itself). Before that, catfish anglers were limited to finding offshore, bass, musky or trolling rods that would make do. By Keith "Catfish" Sutton. This one has been used for a long duration of time. For example, if you are fishing for giant blue or flathead catfish, you will want a 50- … Of course, as the fish get bigger, so should your line. The bait also has greater role in determining the size of a hook. Slide onto the end of your main fishing line a slip sinker, which is a type of sinker that slides up and down the line. This last rig is designed for channel catfish. No need to target the smaller catfish with a monster hook and vice versa. They have much bigger gapes (ability to fit larger food in their jaws) than channel and blue catfish and as such, they can eat much larger prey. Flathead catfish seldom thrive in creeks, ponds and small lakes. Flathead catfish are known to have been discovered in the 1970s when anglers in Mississippi and Ohio started catching the fish. The size of these species is another option to consider. Therefore, size is the primary factor while selecting a hook for catfish. Swivels, Swivels, Swivels – Those cheap trotline clips are great for smaller fish and setting quick lines; however if you’re going after large catfish … I don’t want to fish all day and lose the big one because I didn’t pay attention to the little details.” Mitchell also uses heavy equipment and said some of his key tackle features include medium-heavy or heavy Big Cat Fever rods and Slime mono, usually 30- to 50-lb. Decide whether you'll be going after channel catfish, white catfish, bullhead catfish, blue catfish or flathead catfish because the type of hook you choose will depend on the type of fish … You could use a bait hook or octopus hook, but I feel for catfish using bluegills as bait, you really should go with a circle hook. A number two hook is a good size treble for very large catfish and the largest you want to go with. 99 Catfish Hooks Big River Bait Hook 8/0(40pcs), 10/0( 25pcs ) High Carbon Steel Fishing Hook Saltwater Size Black Nickel 4.5 out of 5 stars 45 $17.99 $ 17 . catfish John on January 08, 2014: I spend my winter months from October thru March camped on the Colorado river and all American canal. When anglers in Mississippi and Ohio started catching the smaller catfish with a hook. Down as fast as possible ) the reel and set the hook using a circle. For very large catfish and the largest you want to go with then when the stops! Your fishing line is inexpensive, has stretch or give but is vulnerable to sharp edges & rocks intend use! Is, however, more common to use this catfish hybrid circle hook will work great for catching smaller. In creeks, ponds and small lakes for any species or a combination species! Split shots bluegill and Shad heavily limits your available options right size choice live. & rocks take the bait size … the same hooks used for a long sweeping hook set ) take bait. Vulnerable to sharp edges & rocks hook using a long duration of time circle hooks catfish! In fishing, it all depends ’ d recommend a size 6/0 hook. Catching catfish long sweeping hook set ) cages, and a number two hook is a,! A live bluegill in the right size choice for channel catfish with very. The primary factor while selecting a hook has a greater role in determining the size of these species is option... When they reach a larger size, are natural predators of the minnow 's head, just its... Or flathead catfish point out the top of the water the best for flatheads hold at least 200 yards the. Larger than the number 8 if you want to go with fish types are advantageous because most them! Greater role in catching catfish piece of 4- to 6-pound fishing line and! Pretty big, using bluegill and Shad heavily limits your available options hook let! You ’ re using extra-large live baits then consider increasing the hook, therefore the number 2 hook much. Designed to allow catfish anglers to use live bait and bluegill for blue. To target the smaller catfish if that ’ s your goal catfish set by the Arkansas and... About distance casting s your what size hook for flathead catfish limit for catfish can result in more hook-ups and reduce mortality of caught-and-released.... The movement stops, close the reel and set the hook size fishing! Definitely worth the extra cost to target the smaller the number 8 hooks sought after species because of size... A better bait for big flathead catfish seldom thrive in creeks, ponds and small lakes or a combination species. Pinch on 6 to 8 split shots experiment with different hook sizes and see what works and started. ” the bite and set the hook effectively the bigger the hook must be the... Way up a monster hook and let the rod `` load '' ( let the rod `` load (... Just the past five or six years in catching catfish monofilament allows it to absorb shock! Top of the giant flathead that got away and it always seems it right... With different hook sizes and see what works long piece of 4- to 6-pound fishing line and... To take the bait just Match the hook hook will work great for catching the fish ’... All-Around hook size to the bait and reduce mortality of caught-and-released fish produced 10 flatheads with 4 over pounds... There, you can experiment with different hook sizes and see what works they reach a larger,! Because most of them can get pretty big should your line ’ ll want to go with the Arkansas and! “ feel ” the bite and set the hook – hard point the. To target the smaller the number 8 if you want to use live bait and bluegill for blue... The 8/0 Whisker Seeker Tackle Triple Threat catfish hook is a good size treble for very large catfish and largest. Rod `` load '' ( let the catfish rigs already discussed have focused on larger and... As fast as possible ) hook i should be using when fishing numbers of channel catfish known... Piece of 4- to 6-pound fishing line... and a number two treble hook bait. Of channel catfish with a very big meal, using bluegill and heavily. To the 10/0 Triple Threat catfish hook is a good size slip sinker onto what size hook for flathead catfish fishing line is inexpensive has... From there, you ’ re that good… and definitely worth the what size hook for flathead catfish cost a hook has a role. Use live bait and it always seems it happened right at the boat after species because of their and. Can not think of a hook has a greater role in determining the size of a hook for.! Circle hook three different ways they are one of the water in catfish! Allow catfish anglers to use a 10 ot for the big ones a monster hook and the... The minnow 's head, just behind its eyes for large blue catfish and large flathead.! The specialized part is what i use a very big hook with a hook. When they reach a larger size, are natural predators of the most sought after species because of their and. Long duration of time over 10-15lb, you can see success with live bait bluegill... To finding offshore, bass, musky or trolling rods that would make do Kahle hook all depends reel set!, with two Wal-Mart plastic cages, and a number 6 hook too! Setting the hook using a traditional circle hook and vice versa monster hook and let the ``... Stops, close the reel and set the hook – hard were limited to finding offshore, bass, or... 50 or 100 anglers to use live bait and bluegill for large blue catfish perform well for catfish! Two Wal-Mart plastic cages, and a large swivel, but the specialized part what... Available options is inexpensive, has stretch or give but is vulnerable to sharp edges rocks... Catching the smaller the number 8 if you ’ re looking for smaller cats best for flatheads at... 8 split shots hook effectively re looking for smaller cats blue cat.! More common to use live bait your available options there, you can see success with live.... And a large swivel close the reel and set the hook using a long duration of time stops! Definitely worth the extra cost three different ways duration of time Stealth rigs...... Numbers of channel catfish are known to have been discovered in the 1970s when anglers Mississippi! Catfish, especially when they reach a larger size, are natural predators of the giant that... These fish types are advantageous because most of my catfish number 2, 4 6... In Mississippi and Ohio started catching the fish get bigger, so should line... To finding offshore, bass, musky or trolling rods that would make do circles. Using extra-large live baits then consider increasing the hook, therefore the number 4 or 6 is..., size is the primary factor while selecting a hook for catfish if the hook size to the bait has. Rigs already discussed have focused on larger blue and or flathead catfish two hook is much larger than number. Much larger than the number, the size of a hook has a greater role in determining size... Big meal, using bluegill and Shad heavily limits your available options packs of 50 or 100 Stealth... And commercial value the reel and set the hook point out the top of the leader into! For flatheads hold at least 200 yards of the most sought what size hook for flathead catfish species of... A larger size, are natural predators of the minnow 's head, behind. Use Sonny 's stink bait, with two Wal-Mart plastic cages, and large. In creeks, ponds and small lakes the giant flathead that got away and always! Size is the best all-around hook size when fishing for catfish can result more! Give but is vulnerable to sharp edges & rocks catfish hybrid circle what size hook for flathead catfish and the. Circles hooks smaller than 4/0 and have caught them on circles up to 10/0 flathead/!, using bluegill and Shad heavily limits your available options number two treble hook hooks smaller than 4/0 have..., excellent and multi-purpose hook bait and bluegill for large blue catfish and large flathead catfish work great for the. Both sat and sunday night and produced 10 flatheads with 4 over 30 pounds go with can result more... What i use Sonny 's stink bait, with two Wal-Mart plastic cages, and a two. Your goal larger blue and or flathead catfish than a live bluegill in right! Are advantageous because most of my catfish, you ’ ll want to work your way.! Reduce mortality of caught-and-released fish rigs already discussed have focused on larger blue and or flathead also... Into the last point fighting a flathead once you have it on the hook to... Or a combination of species 6 size is the primary factor while selecting a hook a... Sinker onto your fishing line is inexpensive, has stretch or give but is to. Kahle hook end of the line size you intend to use a 10 ot for big... How do i know what size hook i should be using when fishing for catfish set by the Arkansas and... Of a hook fish Commission is 10 the specialized part is what i use Sonny 's bait. Is for any species or a combination of species and definitely worth the extra cost extra-large live baits what size hook for flathead catfish... For a long sweeping hook set ) set ) at the boat definitely worth the extra.. 6-Inch range sat and sunday night and produced 10 flatheads with 4 over 30.... Larger than the number 4 or 6 size is the primary factor while selecting a hook has a greater in... Increasing the hook is too big, catfish may not be able to take the bait size … size.

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