Hook Size For Summertime Flatheads?

[TMF89]

I'm thinking of going with a 10/0 Big River Bait Hook from Gamakatsu. That or their 8/0 octopus hooks. What do you guys think?

[Flaco651]

Depends on the size of baits I'm running at the time I guess. I've got a nice stockpile of gamakatsu octopus hooks ranging from 7/0-10/0. I haven't used the Big River gamakatsu's yet. A 3 pack of the 10/0 goes for $7.40 from the Connection.

[Brad B]

I have heard that the larger big river hooks have resulted in alot of deep gut hooks. I would stick to 7/0 to 10/0 Octopus hooks like was already suggested. another option would be 8/0 to 10/0 gamakatsu circle hooks.

[TruthWalleyes]

I rarely run smaller than a 6/0, and generally not larger than a 8/0, but there are a few 10/- hooks in the aresonal. Hook size for me depends on the bait size. Always make sure the hook point won't go into the bait during a hookset or sweep depending on J or Circle hooks.

[CarpinMNRiver]

I have been using 8/0-10/0 gami octo hooks and they have worked well. I haven't heard many good things about the big river hooks.

[rushing]

I like size 18 dry flies

[wastewaterguru]

7/0 Kahle's are all I use. Very very rarely gut hook a fish.....but that's more from my ninja reflexes than hook size.

The Kahle's are cheap, they work, and you guys are crazy for using 3 dollar a piece hooks anywhere near the snag infested Minnesota River.

[smeese]

10/0 and 8/0 for live bait.....ie big suckers and bullheads of course, and 6/0 for cut bait......all circles in my box

[Gordie]

I like size 18 dry flies

With hair from samssquatch..

I have seen khales straightout and I'm talking from experience.

I also run 7/0 to 10/0 gami's

but my favorite hook is a eagle claw 8/0 long shank J/Aberdeen style hook

very strong and not that expensive I have yet to break one or straighten one out, I have bent them but I bend them back and they are good to go if need be and with about the same expense as Khales

I don't think I have ever gut hooked a flathead at least that I can remember. always seems like no matter how long you let them take it they always seem to be hooked in the upper lip or the whisker

[aanderud]

I actually like 8/0 to 10/0. Bought a pile of kahle hooks that were floating around from the estate auction (the inventor lived in B.P.), but they were wimpy and I saw at least 2 of them break and several bend, after which I won't go near them. I think they must have gotten much better after eagle claw bought the design, because I've never seen any break on WWG's line.

I don't think I have ever gut hooked a flathead at least that I can remember. always seems like no matter how long you let them take it they always seem to be hooked in the upper lip or the whisker

I rarely HOOK flatheads at all (gut or otherwise). In fact, I tend to do the VERY early release -- i.e. swing and miss -- most of the time!

[dan z]

I like gamaks also depends on bait size I have used 6-10 I have used the big rivers and found I like the smaller sized ones 6-7

[Mr Special]

Most of the time I use, 10/0 Gama Octo hooks but have borrowed WWG big khale hooks and i like them as well. They are cheap and work just as well.

Plus being a khale(shinner hook) design if a fish does get gut hooked its pretty easy to get the hook out. Just like how the bass fisherman do when using live shinners.

[DTro]

Whatever you decide to use and if your looking for a quality hook at a decent price that are comparable to what you mentioned, check out Renegade Tackle. They have competitive prices and have been very generous in donating some great prizes for the Cat Contest I run.

I would recommend the Invicta 9/0 Octopus Beak or the 8/0 Sickle

These two are basically identical to the Gamma Octopus and Big River

[Mr Special]

Whoa whoa,

why am i just hearing about this place now? lol

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I used to favor the 10/0 Gamakatsu octopus hooks for Flatheads but I recently switched to 8/0 sizes. There are times though that I like a big old 10/0 with the larger, heavier bullheads.

I also experimented with the 8/0 Big River hooks last year and I really liked the size of them. They are quite expensive though.

[DARK30]

I like the G-Mag from Gama.

Hopefully the river behaves this year

[Whisker Warrior]

After hooking into multiple small faltheads(3-5#) with a 10/0 Octo J hook im convinced they are not bothered by the hook size so now i will run 10's all day long if in stock but carry 8's and 9's for back-up. usually cn find them in bulk for cheaper on the bay....not a big fan of circle's when it comes to flatheads but run 6/0-8/0 Gammy circles for those channels.