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. Even the biggest flathead isn’t going to make sizzling billfish runs … Just like everything in fishing, it all depends. Monofilament fishing line is inexpensive, has stretch or give but is vulnerable to sharp edges & rocks. It is a firm, excellent and multi-purpose hook. 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. Then when the movement stops, close the reel and set the hook – hard. A size 6/0 circle hook will work great for catching the smaller catfish if that’s your goal. Best Bait for Flathead Catfish. 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. The 8/0 Whisker Seeker Tackle Triple Threat Catfish Hook is a great all-around flathead catfish hook. Live-Bait Rig Step 1. I personally use a 7 ot for medium blues or flathead and a 5 ot for the smaller channels. They’re that good… and definitely worth the extra cost. ... Just slide a good size slip sinker onto your fishing line... and a large swivel. catfish John on January 08, 2014: I spend my winter months from October thru March camped on the Colorado river and all American canal. How To Catch Flathead Catfish With Old School "Stealth Rigs" ... end of the line pinch on 6 to 8 split shots. Of course, there were some one-size-fits-all catfish rods on the market that … Another great live bait option, the octopus hook was at first intended for other sea creatures, but works perfectly for channel and flathead catfish. Flathead catfish seldom thrive in creeks, ponds and small lakes. Flathead catfish just love bluegills. I fished the vermillion both sat and sunday night and produced 10 flatheads with 4 over 30 pounds. I’d recommend a size 1/0 through 5/0 circle hook. You need to match the size of your hook to the size of the bait you’re using or the catfish you’re trying to catch. O'Shaughnessy Hook. If the hook is too big, catfish may not be able to take the bait. This is for any species or a combination of species. This one has been used for a long duration of time. 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. The smaller the number, the bigger the hook, therefore the number 2 hook is much larger than the number 8 hooks. 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. test. The size of these species is another option to consider. No need to target the smaller catfish with a monster hook and vice versa. Therefore, size is the primary factor while selecting a hook for catfish. Using circle hooks for catfish can result in more hook-ups and reduce mortality of caught-and-released fish. Before that, catfish anglers were limited to finding offshore, bass, musky or trolling rods that would make do. i got a 60 pound flathead on a hand size bream about 3 years back every since then i loved big cats. I use a 10 ot for the big ones. Just Match the hook size to the bait size … Really any flathead, channel or blue catfish over 10-15lb, you can see success with live bait. These Charlie Brown hooks come in four different hooks sizes and are best used when trolling, drifting and tightlining in … If you’re fishing in a pond with big cats in it, you’ll want to work your way up. Monofilament Fishing Line For Catfish. This gives you a very good ability to “feel” the bite and set the hook effectively. Treble hooks in the right size choice for channel catfish are number 2, 4, 6 and 8. The stretch of monofilament allows it to absorb the shock of hard & big bites from giant catfish. Then tie the end of … Octopus Catfish Hooks. Step 2. “A big flathead catfish is hard enough to hook up with. For example, if you are fishing for giant blue or flathead catfish, you will want a 50- … 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. That means that … I use Sonny's stink bait, with two Wal-Mart plastic cages, and a number two treble hook. ; Initiate the "set" method (setting the hook using a long sweeping hook set). The size of the leader leads into the last point fighting a flathead once you have it on the hook. Cut a 24- to 36-inch long piece of 4- to 6-pound fishing line. How do I know what size hook I should be using when fishing for Catfish? I rarely use circles hooks smaller than 4/0 and have caught them on circles up to 10/0 when flathead/ blue cat fishing. They are one of the most sought after species because of their size and commercial value. (yes, stainless steel!) Fish like using a traditional circle hook and let the rod "load" (let the catfish hook itself). 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. The catfish rigs already discussed have focused on larger blue and or flathead catfish. There are countless stories of the giant flathead that got away and it always seems it happened right at the boat. Push the hook point out the top of the minnow's head, just behind its eyes. 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. The number 4 or 6 size is the best all-around hook size when fishing numbers of channel catfish with prepared bait. It is best to buy in bulk in packs of 50 or 100. Daily limit for catfish set by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is 10. This catfish rig is what I use to catch most of my catfish. Initiate the "set" method (setting the hook using a long sweeping hook set). 99 The bait also has greater role in determining the size of a hook. Fish like using a traditional circle hook and let the rod "load" (let the catfish hook itself). If you want to use a very big hook with a very big meal, using Bluegill and Shad heavily limits your available options. 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. A few waters in the state have more generous daily limits but for channel and blue catfish… It is a basic Carolina rig, but the specialized part is what goes on the hook. By Keith "Catfish" Sutton. The same hooks used for blue catfish perform well for flathead catfish also. 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. A 6/0 straight hook won’t give you half the holding power that a 6/0 circle hook will provide. I cannot think of a better bait for big flathead catfish than a live bluegill in the 4 to 6-inch range. Catfish, especially when they reach a larger size, are natural predators of the water. The octopus hook design is a good, smaller choice for live bait. 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. Terminal Tackle I prefer the shorter rod with plenty of backbone.Paired up with a light salt water reel spooled with at least a 50# test line and circle hook size 9/0 to use with live bait. The hook must be … And most flathead fans prefer one with a "clicker" mechanism that produces an audible signal when line is pulled from the reel, thus indicating a catfish bite. A number two hook is a good size treble for very large catfish and the largest you want to go with. Size 6 is also good. From there, you can experiment with different hook sizes and see what works. Triple Threats are designed to allow catfish anglers to use this catfish hybrid circle hook three different ways.. It is very simple, strong and sensitive. You might use the number 8 if you’re looking for smaller cats. Honestly, it depends on your bait. Generally choose a hook that when the bait has been hooked on, has plenty of hook point exposed and the whole thing can fit right into the mouth of the size fish you are targeting 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. 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