New to using large live bait in freshwater. I'm planning on setting some catfish lines soon, and I'm expecting rising water and currents within a few days.

In calmer water, I'd use a 5/0 Kahle hook for bluegill, hooking them behind the dorsal fins. If there's a stronger current, do you rig them the same, or do you hook them through the nose??

When I've used croakers or mullet in saltwater, if there was a strong current, I'd hook them through the nose, so that they wouldn't twist and twist like they would if hooked in the back. I prefer to hook everything in the back if I can, from shiners to croakers.

Put a good swivel at the hook/ use a split ring to attach it.

A swivel and a split ring is that much better than a snap swivel to justify the effort? I have split rings, and I have snap swivels, that's not a problem, I just never really use either one.

I'm willing to do it if it's really the way to do things.

It would be your choice, but a big fish can straighten a snap swivel. In current, I use two swivels. One onr the mainline and one at the hook.

Great point. Split ring it is

Hook the perch through the eyes just behind the bridge of their nose as to not pop the eyes, that will keep them alive a lot longer an keep them streamline in the current instead of "pinwheeling" if u hooked them in the dorsal, they'll most likely die from exhaustion if u hook behind the fin

That's what I was getting at, keeping them streamlined in the current. I hadn't considered the exhaustion, but that's a good point.

I used to hook most shiners through the lips, until one day I hooked them in the back, and my dad hooked them through the lips. Side by side I out fished him at least 5 to 1 on crappie. To me it seems that having them hooked on the back causes them to have to fight it more, the hook weighs them down or whatever it is, they're distressed more, that caused them to be more attractive. The current changes things though.

I also just caught 2 yellow bullheads in my pond. One is about 6" and the other is about 10-12". It'll be the first time using them for bait, hopefully I'll be able to go hook them up this afternoon.