What kind of hooks to use for catfish

To protect the future of the sport, more and more anglers--especially those on the tournament circuit--do whatever they can to reduce fish mortality. Traditional J-hooks often result in deep, deadly gut hooks when catfish take and swallow the bait. When sized and rigged properly, circle hooks lock-up better than J-hooks, nearly always snagging the corner of the mouth and burying themselves deep in the tough tissue there.

We respect your email privacy. Last Updated: January 5th, As catfish anglers are quick to note, these big, bad fish need hooks to match. About The Author. Pete D. Notify of. Inline Feedbacks. About Contact Privacy Policy.

Additionally, USAngler. They can be remarkably successful in helping you land a monster. Whereas circle hooks are great for blue and channel catfish, kahles are best for flatheads.

This is because a properly sized kahles hook can reach right back into the mouth and snag that cheek.

One problem with Kahle hooks being so effective is that they will literally pick up anything. As such, when you cast your Kahle — you leave it well alone. Kahle hooks are also extremely cost-effective from a price perspective, as you can usually pick up a large quantity for a few bucks. Eagle Claw manufactures some of the best hooks on the market. This is a great example of an affordable bulk box of quality Kahle hooks.

With a straight point and ringed eye, the hooks are offset and barbed and are just the kind of thing that catfish despise. Do catfish keep growing? Follow the link to find out!

Never overload your hook with too much bait. Hook size often divides the fishing community. Some anglers swear it makes a difference, while it matters less for others. Given catfish dietary practices — this list is by no means exhaustive.

Nightcrawlers are the original choice for catfishing — as they love the things. Chicken breast or livers tend to also do a good job of attracting the cats. In fact, just about anything that you keep in your fridge will be good to stick on a hook.

Try any leftover meat, cheese, fish, or anything that you need to throw out and would barely give your own dog. Crawfish are a solid option for catfishing and are ideal for catching them in smaller creeks and rivers.

Try this when the weather is poor at flowing watercourses, and follow this link for more tips on fishing in the rain. You also might like to try some baits explored in this article on catfishing in ponds.

There are literally hundreds if not thousands of extra catfishing tips out there, as most experienced anglers will have loads of advice for improving your chance of success. And to start with, watch the video below, which will give you six great tips to help you catch more catfish right off the bat — ideal for beginners looking to learn the basics.

I hope this article has helped point you in the right direction for choosing the best hooks for catfish. The author of this post is Bob Hoffmann. Bob has spend most of his childhood fishing with his father and now share all his knowledge with other anglers. Feel free to leave a comment below. Ask anyone who's been in a hostile environment, and they'll tell you that you can never have too much safety gear. Keeping safe while ice fishing is all about managing your level of risk.

With the We all want to gain that advantage over the fish we catch, and what better way than to time our visit so that they are most active? The best time for ice fishing is either early in the morning or Skip to content Catfish are one of the most popular species for anglers to catch. They are ideal for hooking softer baits. They are good for hooking larger baits.

They are superb for punch bait. Once a fish is hooked, it is unlikely to get off. They are no good for smaller species. They are the best for smaller or harder baits. They can be difficult to transport and store. In fact, higher nickel contents will make a fishhook brittle.

High Carbon Steel — High carbon steel fishing hooks resist corrosion. They are also very strong compared to their weight. Most hook manufacturers will list the carbon number on the package. The higher the number the stronger the hook will be.

A carbon steel hook should be more than strong enough for any catfish fishing. Stainless Steel — This is the most common material for any fish hook, including catfish hooks. High carbon steel is still superior but these work well. Vanadium Alloy — Vanadium alloy fishing hooks are excellent for catfish fishing. They resist corrosion but are also very strong.

Gold — You can find gold plated hooks on most websites that sell fishing gear. Gold is one of the few metals that does not corrode. That makes it ideal for fish hooks.

Gold is a softer metal and the plating will come off eventually. Tin — Tin plated fishing hooks hold up very well to saltwater.

They are also cheaper than some platings. Teflon — Teflon is a great coating to choose for catfish hooks. It allows easier penetration which is invaluable for hooking a tough catfish mouth. They may not stick to some baits as well because of the coating.

You can get Teflon on a high carbon steel fishing hook and most other catfish hooks. That said, there are several websites that teach you how to carve your own. If you are the sort of person who likes challenges, this could be a good one.

It could also be helpful if you were to lose your gear somehow. If you want an unusual catfish hook, bone is worth a try on your next fishing trip. The gauge of a catfish fishing hook refers to the thickness of the wire itself. The gauge scale is measured with a number followed by the letter X. The higher the number, the thicker the gauge. Also, materials will affect gauge. High carbon steel hooks will be stronger than stainless fishing hooks of the same gauge.

Large Blues could be caught with a 2X gauge. A 3X gauge would likely be too large for most catfish. Most catfish anglers will not need fishing hooks of this size. My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

Categories : Fishing. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Navigation Boat Safe. About Ian My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own.