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Bait fishing, hook swollowing #13332295 11/05/19 12:31 AM
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dallee Offline OP
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Gentlemen,

I have recently picked up doing more panfishing with live bait, mainly works.

Don't know if its something I am doing or what but I would say 9 out of 10 are swollowing the hook. The lake I live on is catch and release only so keeping those fish are not an option.

How can I go about reducing the number of swollowed hooks?

Thanks for any help!

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13332376 11/05/19 01:41 AM
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Ocelot Offline
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I adjust the hook size to use the smallest hook for which most of the fish do not swallow it.
Also, setting the hook a little earlier may help. Keep close watch on line to see the slightest twitch.
adjusting these 2 strategies I can usually minimize the panfish swalloiwng the hook and still catch several.
If they do swallo an aberdeen hook, cut the line.
The hope is the hook will corrode and not kill the fish.

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13332493 11/05/19 02:40 AM
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dallee Offline OP
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Thanks! Do you have a size hook that you find works best for you?

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: Ocelot] #13332529 11/05/19 03:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Ocelot
I adjust the hook size to use the smallest hook for which most of the fish do not swallow it.
Also, setting the hook a little earlier may help. Keep close watch on line to see the slightest twitch.
adjusting these 2 strategies I can usually minimize the panfish swalloiwng the hook and still catch several.
If they do swallo an aberdeen hook, cut the line.
The hope is the hook will corrode and not kill the fish.




Plus #1 on the above. Great advice.


Side note: I would add that when I use a size 6 cricket hook (they have a long shaft) I get very few fish that swallow the hook. Also, as stated above a early hook set prevents a lot of hook swallowing. thumb


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Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13332538 11/05/19 03:29 AM
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Ocelot Offline
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Depends on what size fish are biting usually I use a hook of size of 8, 6 or 4. I usually start with a size 6 it getting bites but not hooking anything, go to an 8. If fish swallowing hook go to a 4.
This is for perch about the length of my palm to a bit larger than my hand.

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13332825 11/05/19 02:11 PM
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Laker One Offline
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I do not use live bait while fishing for Bluegill/Sunfish. I fish with a friend who has a pond and he uses barbless cricket hooks. The size of the hook is a 8. He also has a very fast hook set! Rarely has one that swallows a hook. I think that the longer shaft on the cricket hooks play a huge factor for a fish not swallowing a hook. Just my observation. eeks

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13332849 11/05/19 02:32 PM
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Gitter Done Offline
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Quick hook set! Sometimes no matter what you do every now and then you will get a few that swallow a hook.

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13332885 11/05/19 02:56 PM
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gar1970 Offline
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A quick hookset is key. When i used to use the BOC for bait i would use a number 10 cricket hook and have a few swallow the hook every trip. Now that i only use the tiny jig with a number12 jig hook i have caught hundreds of fish without a single swallow and Its a smaller hook go figure hmmm


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Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13333087 11/05/19 06:03 PM
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dallee Offline OP
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Thank you all very much. Some technique and hook suggestions for me to take into consideration. I will employ this. Thanks for everyone's help.

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: Laker One] #13333255 11/05/19 09:09 PM
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DarrellSimpson Offline
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Originally Posted by Laker One
I do not use live bait while fishing for Bluegill/Sunfish. I fish with a friend who has a pond and he uses barbless cricket hooks. The size of the hook is a 8. He also has a very fast hook set! Rarely has one that swallows a hook. I think that the longer shaft on the cricket hooks play a huge factor for a fish not swallowing a hook. Just my observation. eeks


I have also had good luck with the longer shank on the cricket hooks .

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13333257 11/05/19 09:11 PM
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BillS2006 Offline
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Get you one of these hook removers.

http://www.unhookum.com/


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Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13333317 11/05/19 10:22 PM
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Myself and others have had good luck stopping deep hooking on perch by using 1/32 or 1/64 oz jigs hooks instead of plain hooks.
The added weight slows down the inhalation of the bait and it doesn't go as deep. Size 4 or 6 jig hooks. I get them off of Ebay.

Last edited by doctorxring; 11/05/19 10:24 PM.

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Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: BillS2006] #13333865 11/06/19 03:41 PM
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dallee Offline OP
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Thanks, ordering one.

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13333866 11/06/19 03:41 PM
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dallee Offline OP
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I will try the jighead as well. I have those already.

Got some other hooks ordered as well.

Thanks again very much everyone.

Re: Bait fishing, hook swollowing [Re: dallee] #13333892 11/06/19 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by dallee
I will try the jighead as well. I have those already.

Got some other hooks ordered as well.

Thanks again very much everyone.




That is why I love following the Bluegill Section of the TFF!


Side Note: I also love seeing the BIG FISH these anglers are catching!

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