Y'all, I went on out to fish on the Brazos Monday afternoon, with the intention of only staying until about 12 or 1 in the morning. I ended up staying until 11 a.m. the NEXT morning, because I just KEPT getting big bites, but failed to get the hook set. I realize a lot of them could have been gar (and a lot of them were gar), but as y'all can see, a few of those head shakes on video were definitely catfish. I've always been a huge fan of circle hooks, and never had an issue like this before... So I hate to think it was the hooks. The only thing I changed this trip was my weight. There's quite a bit of current, so I used 5 ounce no roll weights. Do y'all think for some reason that could have impacted the way my hook was getting set?

It was literally the worst fishing experience of my life so far. I would have rather not caught ANY fish, than been teased the way I was teased. Every time I hooked up, it seemed like the fish was staying on the line, and I was going to land him (especially that last fish... that last fish finished me off).

Check it out, let me know what you think. I won't forget about this one any time soon. Please send help.



- Chase

Try a #2 treble stinger next time on those short bites. You're most likely right tho,it was 99% gar bite.

Plus #1. Also enjoyed the video.


Side Note: I would have left after killing that first Moccasin!

Man it's hard to quit when they're biting and you're not landing them.

Went threw this a couple weeks ago. Just stumped. Switching from double action circles to jack hammers, but yeah trebles for the win!

I have definitely had those days...But right now I am very curious to land and cook up a nice gar with all these videos I've been seeing and what not...At least you got out there Buddy

Yeah, I nearly stepped on the first one when I was walking to re-cast. Not my favorite little critters!

I just hate using trebles, because if the fish swallows the bait before I can get to the rod, he's doomed. I really like releasing those bigger catfish. I guess I can just set them in the rod holder without the clicker on, so they set the hook immediately.

I'll update y'all on what I decide to do later on!

Thanks!

- Chase

Weight should be no issue for your catfish, 4&5 oz no rolls are my go to with WS 10/0 octopus circles targeting primarily flatheads and don't have any problems. Gar yes, hook up on those guys on a circle is difficult and they have a very similar bite and fight to a flathead, "primarily fishing the trinityriver" and the brazos is a very similar river to the trinity.

I didn’t watch the video but sounds like gar to me. Also how’d you stay up that long? Meth?

Check to see that your hooks are sharp.
Maybe use a little stiffer poll so you can set the hook better.