texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Power-Pole CS, T-Rigger, JoeGoes, EcKo
119150 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,571
TexDawg 119,516
Bigbob_FTW 94,879
John175☮ 85,892
Pilothawk 83,260
Bob Davis 81,480
Mark Perry 72,282
Derek 🐝 68,311
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,820
Posts13,935,118
Members144,150
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Hooks for live bait #13558209 05/15/20 01:08 AM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 452
C
Cigga Offline OP
Angler
OP Offline
Angler
C
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 452
What hook type and size do you guys use for live shad? I am a lure guy and used live shad for the first time this past weekend and the hooks I had, fish were getting gut hooked a lot. Do you guys use circle hooks? If so, what size? Thanks.

Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13558234 05/15/20 01:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 557
B
beltonbill Online Content
Pro Angler
Online Content
Pro Angler
B
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 557
I do a lot of catch and release with lures and bait. For live bait I use Eagle Claw barbless 3/0 lazer sharp circle hooks with a split ring in the eye of the hook. Even gut hooked fish come off with almost no injury. The barbless hooks create less injury to the bait and they are more lively when they swim.

Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: beltonbill] #13558582 05/15/20 12:31 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,594
gborg Online Content
TFF Team Angler
Online Content
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,594
Originally Posted by beltonbill
I do a lot of catch and release with lures and bait. For live bait I use Eagle Claw barbless 3/0 lazer sharp circle hooks with a split ring in the eye of the hook. Even gut hooked fish come off with almost no injury. The barbless hooks create less injury to the bait and they are more lively when they swim.


Plus won !

Your target fish will be around next year,.

Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13558657 05/15/20 01:25 PM
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 62
Anejo Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 62
Definitely use circle hooks with live bait because fish tend to swallow live bait quicker than lures. Different brands don't seem to follow sizing conventions so I usually size the hooks to the bait I'm using. A 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0 usually. I like to use something that's nearly the size of my thumb when using a 6 inch live bait, shad or perch. I don't use stainless hooks. "Your mileage may differ."


International Sportfisherman-Champion 220 Bay- Reserva Tequila Sipper
Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13558902 05/15/20 04:00 PM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 943
R
RespectTheFish Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
R
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 943
I prefer 2/0 octopus J hooks


Clay
Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: gborg] #13559563 05/16/20 01:03 AM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 85
Gophish Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 85
Gborg, what is the purpose of the split ring in the hook eye?

Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13559717 05/16/20 03:26 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 557
B
beltonbill Online Content
Pro Angler
Online Content
Pro Angler
B
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 557
The split ring allow the circle hook to turn upright as it exits the fishes mouth. A straight pull will sometimes move the circle hook out of the fishes mouth without rotating into the fishes upper lip. The split ring ensures maximum hook ups.

Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13559732 05/16/20 03:52 AM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,373
scubaarchery Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,373
I use owner #6 so the shad swim freely...


Catch more hybrids, sand-bass and striper with the Thump’emup Thumper!
www.thumpemupfishing.com
Thumpemupfishingchannel@gmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi602ZTsxnkaVwT0wq3OgCA
Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13559781 05/16/20 05:15 AM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 526
B
Burbarry Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
B
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 526
Very large circle hooks.

Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13560277 05/16/20 05:17 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 452
C
Cigga Offline OP
Angler
OP Offline
Angler
C
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 452
circle hooks it is then. Thanks guys.

Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13560314 05/16/20 05:43 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 160
P
Phantom Fisherman Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
P
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 160
Another vote for octopus J hooks hooks. I use the ones with an upturned eye and snell them. Very high hookup rate with very few thrown hooks!


Phantom Fisherman
Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Phantom Fisherman] #13560560 05/16/20 09:28 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 452
C
Cigga Offline OP
Angler
OP Offline
Angler
C
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 452
Originally Posted by Phantom Fisherman
Another vote for octopus J hooks hooks. I use the ones with an upturned eye and snell them. Very high hookup rate with very few thrown hooks!

thanks. I'll try them out too.

Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13562775 05/18/20 08:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,774
H
Holzer Offline
TFF Celebrity
Offline
TFF Celebrity
H
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,774
When you get tired of missing fish, come on over to the Khale hook gang. Size depends on the size of bait you're using.


Holzer
My pic is gone frown
Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Cigga] #13562777 05/18/20 08:37 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,774
H
Holzer Offline
TFF Celebrity
Offline
TFF Celebrity
H
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,774
If Im using the bait clicker, balloon, or other long line method where the fish can run with the bait I'm ok with the circle.


Holzer
My pic is gone frown
Re: Hooks for live bait [Re: Holzer] #13562778 05/18/20 08:39 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,560
B
BrandoA Online Content
TFF Celebrity
Online Content
TFF Celebrity
B
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,560
Originally Posted by Holzer
When you get tired of missing fish, come on over to the Khale hook gang. Size depends on the size of bait you're using.


I am Khale hook guy myself. Light wire Gamakatsu usually 2/0 or 3/0

Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3