When using punch bait to catch eater size channels, while knowing a few larger blues will also take the bait,
do you recommend a #6 treble or a #4 treble?

I always use #6 on Fork fishing for channels.

I always use #4 treble hooks. No right or wrong , just whatever works best for you.

Thanks for the replies. I was afraid that #4 trebles were too large for eater size channels, but maybe not. When I catch a blue, I worry about that little #6 hook.

If you will buy some 4x # 6 treble hooks you will get anything in the boat that your leader or line will hold. # 4s are alright too.

always used #6 3x hooks.

I use a Stubbys bait with a number 4 treble. I sometimes sharpen my hook.

I tried a #4 and was missing bites, then caught a little 12� channel that only had one of the hooks on the treble in his mouth. I switched back to #6 and will stay with that size. If all of the channels were larger, a #4 would be ok, but some of the ones I catch run on the smaller size. Funny how it works out, fishing was slow today, but the only fish we caught were blues.

Use whatever size you feel comfortable with, but here's my advice with punch bait and trebles.....reel down on the first sign of a fish messing with the bait to see how they are going to be taking it. I mean, I have "gut hooked" a ton of tish when letting them peck at the bait, when in actuality, they are swallowing the hook.
I don't miss too many fish once I figure out how they are taking the bait. Most punch bait fish will hammer the bait and hook themselves.
Just my .2 cents.

cat, as soon as I feel them touch my bait, I quickly lift up with my rod and start reeling. I rarely ever gut hook a fish. Gotta be quick.

4x #6 trebles