Casting?

[TMF89]

Hey guys, how do you cast your baits? When you're talking about magnum sized suckers and bullheads, do they fly off the hook easily? How do you hook your live baits?

[DTro]

I would refer to it as "lobbing" rather than casting. If you snap it good like casting a crankbait, you'll lose your bait every time. The side hand lob is the way to go. It also helps to have a longer flexible pole.

[TMF89]

That's what I figured, same as bobber fishing suckers for pike/musky. Two more questions: Where/how do you guys hook your bait? Suckers? Bullheads? And how do you set the hook on the fish? I know circle hooks are a big deal, but I've never used them before, and I'd rather just use a plain old shortshank than risk losing a 30lb flathead catfish because I don't have the pull down right. I've seen guys saying wait for them to stop, rip it right away, do it when the moment feels right, and everything inbetween. Obviously that last one is the most correct, but in that case, WHEN does the moment feel right for you guys, most of the time?

[Scott K]

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WHEN does the moment feel right for you guys

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After a couple beers!

I will give it some line just to make sure it is going with it then let it pull tension on the pole, then set the hook. I hook them behind the back dorsel fin, towards the tail, better movement, I will lip hook it in the colder water, less movement by the bait!

[hanson]

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Where/how do you guys hook your bait? Suckers? Bullheads?

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Right behind the dorsal fin, just like I would hook a fathead minnow ice fishing.

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And how do you set the hook on the fish? I know circle hooks are a big deal, but I've never used them before, and I'd rather just use a plain old shortshank than risk losing a 30lb flathead catfish because I don't have the pull down right.

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If you are worried about fishing circles, just go with a 10/0 Gamakatsu Octopus. 90% of the guys I know cattin' use this hook. I don't fish circle hooks with live bait, I do with cutbait, but not live.

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Obviously that last one is the most correct, but in that case, WHEN does the moment feel right for you guys, most of the time?

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If the fish is running, apply thumb pressure to your spool (assuming you are using a baitcaster) and "feel" for the fish. If you give a little resistance, the rod will load and you will feel a "pulsing" on the end of the line. This is a fish, and set the hook! I think this is important to give the fish a little resistance before setting the hook. I have missed more fish by just blindly setting the hook when its running, and not feeling for the fish.

[TMF89]

Hanson, where do you get your octupuses? I work at Gander Mountain Lakeville, and I believe the biggest we have are 6s (there are Gamakatsus though).

[Shack]

Hate to say it, 7/0 from sportsman warehouse and 10/0 from cabela's in Rogers (when in stock)!

Also, I think Moores bait handles all of them!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Moore's has them. I also find them at Sportsman' Warehouse in Coon Rapids.

[Blue Kayak]

I'm probably the least experienced cat angler that will respond to this post, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I really like circle hooks, especially for chunk bait, but at times even with live bait. I'll definitely use a circle with live if the bait can be drifted into postion instead of cast. For live bait with a circle I use the Daiichi Bleeding Bait Circle Chunk size 12/0. These don't have an offset, and I think an offset leads to problems. With live bait it seems easier for an offset circle hook to "circle" around and bury the point in the bait. I have been using offset circles with cut bait without that problem.

I think a lot of times we cast live bait when a better option is to drift it into position. Or, even fish right below the boat rather than seeing how far away from the boat we can cast. Maybe that's my kayak perspective where I often get within a few feet of fish on the surface before they spook.

There are so many variables with setting the hook. With circle hooks it seems like a no brainer -- just hold it steady or put it in a holder and the fish usually sets the hook. Everyone has an opinion; clicker on, clicker off, drag on, free spool. Then there are stiff rods and soft rods, not to mention stretchy monofiliament and low stretch braids. I think with circle hooks any of these will work.

Buy a good hook sharpener and check the point frequently. A circle hook with a slightly bent point is just about worthless, and a dull conventional hook is not much better. It is surprising how quickly the points can be damaged, especially in rocky areas.

You'll often hear advice such as, "cross their eyes" when setting the hook. This may be good advice with conventional hooks and mono, but you sure don't want to do that with a circle hook. For low stretch braids, the PowerPro web site says: "When you get a strike, relax; a gentle snap of your wrist will set the hook. Because PowerPro doesn't stretch like nylon lines, you won't get that rubber-band effect." I'd agree with that advice, especially if the fish is headed away from you.

I do also use the 10/0 Gami's with live bait, and of course Moores has them. Moore's is a one-stop catfishing store.

[Shack]

Ralph,

Have you found 10/0 at Sports?

P.S.

Blue

Another good post!

[hanson]

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Have you found 10/0 at Sports?

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I know Sportsman's in Coon Rapids & Woodbury both have 10/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks.

[Ralph Wiggum]

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Ralph,

Have you found 10/0 at Sports?

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Yes, at Coon Rapids.

[Shack]

I was there a month ago and they did not have any. Back wall, almost in corner. Coon rapids store! All they had was 7/0 oct circle! They did have some empty slots and I do swear I saw them there during spring! Maybe they were out?

Good to know. At least up in this neck of the woods! Thanks!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Yeah, that is where I got them. Must have been out!

[SteveD]

In response to using Circle Hooks with live bait for flathead fishing. I switched this year from J hooks to all circle hooks and had an excellent hook up percentage. I use 8/0 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks snelled on a 50# to 65# test leader for flatheads. The 8/0 Circle handles a 7" bullhead just fine - hook them right behind the dorsal fin. I am using a heavy action rod on my flathead rigs and I still use the clicker but as soon as I detect the bite I engage the reel, let the fish load up the rod, and do a slow sweep with the rod and start reeling at the same time. I don't remember missing a fish on the hook set all year although I did miss a couple during the fight when the hooks pulled out. I attributed it to horsing the fish when I really didn't need to. I'm going to keep using circles - I like them.

[erickol]

Been following the posts, and have a question. I too switched to circles this year and my learning curve has been a bit slower, although getting there. I have been rigged up with power pro this season, 60lb on my big rod, and 20lb on a slightly less stout rig. For those of you who have fished circles on mono and on braided...have you noticed a big difference in hook ups? Seems like the slight stretch in mono might be benificial to the circle hook. My smaller rig, the rod is 9', but with a bit more tip flex. Figured this would split the difference, but just curious.

Next season, (when I have done some Christmas shopping for myself and have another abu garcia 6500) I'm going to run one with mono (20 lb big game recomended to me) and another with the 60lb powerpro to see if I can tell the difference in hook ups.

[Shack]

Yes I have. Up North for channels, 6/0-7/0 oci circle and 25lbs mono, short snell 4-8" and 2-3 once flat or no roll, cut sucker, chub or smelt! This is a killer combo. I figure I could handle up to a 20lbs channel with no problem (as long as it stays out of snags).

All I can add is swing to the side (opposite of the direction you line is angled into the water). Swing light and start to reel up and do not stop. About 3-5 seconds into reeling, give her a pull or two to make sure hook is set, but to not yank hard. The curve of the circle hook and a not yet fully embedded hook point seems to pull right out of fish's mouth (this is where I think Mono helps greatly).

Gentle with a little tough love!

Don't stop reel’ in once you start. I have lost more fish when I have stopped reel’in. Also keep tightness on your line.

Good luck!

[Ralph Wiggum]

I run 20lb Big Game on a couple rods and it is great line. Very abrasion resistant. Excellent with circle hooks.

[TMF89]

Do the regular octupus hooks harm the big fish at all? I can see the benefit of circles, but with a fish the size of a flathead, I can't think of a time where you wouldn't be able to at least cut the hook, and most likely get into their huge mouths enough to get it free? I have to believe a catfish is tough enough to survive a cut hook anyway.

[Ralph Wiggum]

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I was there a month ago and they did not have any. Back wall, almost in corner. Coon rapids store! All they had was 7/0 oct circle! They did have some empty slots and I do swear I saw them there during spring! Maybe they were out?

Good to know. At least up in this neck of the woods! Thanks!

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I was just up there and they had 10/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks in stock. Back corner, top row. They only have them in the silver/chrome color, which are a few rows to the right of the black octopus hooks.

[Shack]

Ralph,

Thanks for the info! I even had a clerk (old guy at reel counter that cat fishers) looking with me and could not find them. I think they were out at the time!

Good to know, my catting days are not over yet! I still have strong urge to go! If I go is the key factor! My brother in- law is always bugging me to head back down to MN river!

With my record this fall with Mille Lacs, I have bumped twice now. The river is always willing to let you ride her!

[Ralph Wiggum]

The channels were still hungry last time I was out. Gonna give it a go again tomorrow. No need for the 10/0, but it's good to know they still carry them!