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Novice question
#12926664
10/08/18 12:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
SlowDown
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286 |
Plan to target 1 to 5 pound cats with cut bait on circle hook. Spinning gear, 15 to 20# braid, 8 to 12# leader. What size circle hook would be best in this case?
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12926721
10/08/18 01:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435
🍀El Gato Azul🍀
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435 |
6/0 is good size for eaters but you will be sick when you hang a monster and he comes unbuttoned...
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12926758
10/08/18 01:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 13,072
tgravley aka lewisvillecatfish
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 13,072 |
I love circle hooks but if your focusing on small cats, I am guessing Channelcat. Then you may want to try the kahle hook so you can jerk when they start pecking your bait. If your catching mostly blues 4/0 to 6/0 will be good
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12926829
10/08/18 02:58 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
SlowDown
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286 |
Eater size channels is what I hope to catch, but Im sure some blues are mixed in. I thank all of you for the replies. El Gato, when you say a monster, if I happen to hook one, may come unbuttoned, does that mean circle hooks are more apt to pull loose on big fish than a hook style that requires me setting the hook? I have fished all my life for multiple species, but fished very little for cats with a rod and reel, usually used trot lines when I did fish for them. Now Im too old for trotlines and all that stuff and, except fishing a little with a bass fisherman friend that has a boat, I will be sitting on the bank and casting for catfish. In addition to cut bait, I will also have a dip bait to put on a treble hook. Any other suggestions you may have will be appreciated.
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12926856
10/08/18 03:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435
🍀El Gato Azul🍀
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435 |
I a bluecatr Slowdown but if your channel cat fishing for eaters id I use a treble hook with your preferred punch bait. For blues Id use circle hooks. Now as far as coming unbuttoned, when you hang one over 20 lbs this this time of year they pull hard cuz the water is still warm. If you catch one over 30 and he makes a hard run like some of em like to do this time of year, they can rip that little hook right out. You can still catch some big fish on a 6/0 but you will miss about as many as you catch. I hate missing a big fish halfway to the boat cuz I you only get a few chances each trip if any. I usually switch to 8/0 starting October 1st as the bigger fish start showing back up. There are a million ways to skin a cat so dont be afraid to experiment until you find your own style of fishing that works for you....we all do it a little different! Good luck!
Last edited by El Gato Azul; 10/08/18 03:30 PM.
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12926875
10/08/18 03:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
SlowDown
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286 |
Understand. Thank you sir. When using trebles with punch bait for eater size channel cats, I think I read that a size 6 would be ok. Does that sound right to you?
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12926943
10/08/18 04:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435
🍀El Gato Azul🍀
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435 |
#4-6 is prolly the most widely used size for channel kitty. Guys will switch to a #8 if they are missing fish. The smaller the hook the more likely to swallow it though.
Last edited by El Gato Azul; 10/08/18 04:05 PM.
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12927045
10/08/18 05:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
I always trusted a #2 Kale widegap for cut shad for channels. I prefer a #6 treble for prepared stink baits. I no longer try for channel cats but can attest to the fact that ol Gato can catch 3-4# channels on a 8-10 o circle hook and giant gizzard shad! Saw it myself yesterday! No need to overthink channel catting. Simple rigs work just fine! Good luck
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12927072
10/08/18 05:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435
🍀El Gato Azul🍀
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435 |
Only time I catch a bunch of channel kitty is when I got my good buddy Littlefeather with me. The man is a bonified channel kitty magnet I tell ya!!! And yes, we caught a mess of channels on 8/0 yesterday...
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Re: Novice question
[Re: 🍀El Gato Azul🍀]
#12927091
10/08/18 06:15 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,773
serj5150
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,773 |
Only time I catch a bunch of channel kitty is when I got my good buddy Littlefeather with me. The man is a bonified channel kitty magnet I tell ya!!! And yes, we caught a mess of channels on 8/0 yesterday... ...Remember LittleFeather we are going after Crappie..thats it no Channels ...LOL!!!
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12927147
10/08/18 06:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
Good thing I caught fish! Serj, still waiting on you to call me from the dock saying you are ready!
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Novice question
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12927226
10/08/18 08:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435
🍀El Gato Azul🍀
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435 |
Good thing I caught fish! Serj, still waiting on you to call me from the dock saying you are ready! Tell the truth Littlefeather! I caught the 5 picture fish...
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12927243
10/08/18 08:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
SlowDown
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286 |
littlefeather, did you really mean a number 2 kale, or did you mean to say a 2/0?
Last edited by SlowDown; 10/08/18 08:52 PM.
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12927267
10/08/18 08:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
We always called them a #2. Probably a 2 ought but each manufacturer size doesnt always match the other. Even #1s are fine. Just dont load the gap full of bait so the hook has room to set. Same with circle hooks. Never fill the gap between the shank and the tip. If using dip/punch bait Id advise little to no weight. If they dont feel the sinker theyll inhale a wad of any of the punch baits!
Gato- best haul I ever saw in one cast!
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Novice question
[Re: SlowDown]
#12927278
10/08/18 08:49 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
SlowDown
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286 |
You have been very helpful. Really appreciate it..
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