I figure that most folks use trebles for punch bait. But for me, they get hung up more often and it's sometimes tougher to unhook the kitties. A friend that fishes Choke Canyon taught me this trick where you can use single hooks instead. He uses that nylon/fiberglass stuff that is used to fill pillows. It's real cheap. I bought a bag at Wal-Mart for about 3 bucks and it will last me for years! It's a lot cheaper than buying some of those special holders for the punch bait.

Anyway, you take a small hook (I use a 1-0 Kahle) and run it through a very small piece of that pillow stuff several times. You then stick it in the punch bait really good and you are ready to fish. It's real easy to put too much of that pillow stuff on your hook, so start small.

Does anyone else use this "system" to fish punch bait with single hooks instead of trebles? How's it work for you? If anyone hasn't done it this way and wants to try it, please post your results here when you do.

Do you squeeze the pillow stuff to get water out of it before you re dip in the bait, or do you get much water in your bait?

Sounds like you are using "dip" bait and not "punch" bait cause "punch" baits need no special holders like are made for "dip" baits.

Good idea Gato.
I'm gonna try that myself.

I fish mostly saltwater, but have used a trick relatively close. Try using gauze bandage. I've done this with squid, and leave a small tail for a little action. I really like the mustad true circle hooks. You get a good set, and they're easy to remove.

I use #4 eagle claw single hooks and have no problem with dip bait or punch bait. However, just got back from a 15 hour drive, and the dog ate a pillow in the backseat, so I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tip

Howdy Obie---I don't have any trouble with water. The bait I use is a home-made concoction made by that buddy at Choke Canyon. (In fact he guides out there and sells the stuff on the side.) When I start I just take a stick and poke the hook down in there to get the bait all in the pillow stuff. It's usually a good idea to take along some scissors. I use that to trim it to a smaller size because I still have a tendency to put too much of the stuff on there initially. A little water in the bait doesn't hurt. Sometimes it gets a little too thick and needs a little water to thin it and when it gets cold it also has a tendency to harden a little.

Steve -- I am not sure what the distinction is between punch and dip baits. The stuff that I use, when it's "right", is about the consistency of warm peanut butter. There's no way that stuff would stay on a single hook all by itself.

Sarge: Maybe your dog did you a favor! Try that stuff on your next cat trip and let me know how it worked.

dip baits require something to hold em on the hook and punch baits are hard to get off the hook. Danny King's is a punch bait I use and it is hard to get off a treble hook when finished fishing. I just throw the hook away when I am done if I am not going to fish for more than a couple of weeks.

Dip baits: Hog Wild, Sonny's super sticky, Catfish Killer, Catfish Charlies Shad Bait Dip

Punch baits: Danny King's and Sure Shot are the only punch baits I have used and not sure what else is out there. Sure Shot comes off a whole lot easier than Danny King's but it is used more when feeding under the birds from what I have read. I haven't had the chance to fish under roosts and mainly fish using floating jugs. D K's worked best for me for that.

Only time I use single hooks is when fishing cutbait/shad, shrimp, livers, snails and hoppers.

Steve: Went back and changed "punch" to "dip" in the thread title. I guess I'm talking about dip bait rather than punch. I have been meaning to get some Marv's or other punch bait.....seen too much good stuff about them not to.

Speaking of dip bait...

Anyone use the stuff called Primo? It comes in a big tub and looks (and smells) just like doo doo. Like ya had Panchos for lunch and budweiser all night kind of doo doo. The people at the community pond around where I work swear by it.

j.steve,
In my opiniom:
Danny Kings (DK)= Channels

Sure Shot:= Blues
Remember, just my opinion, I'm deffinately NOT an expert and have used both for a reasonable period of time on several differant waters.

Hooker: I live in Austin. Where can I buy some Sure Shot? I"ll fry up any catfish I put on the stringer but prefer 2-5 lb blues. Thanks!

Where are the cats biting in austin.Going out tonite.Mybe going to the 360 bridge.

A bit different then what your all talking about but, i use an old stocking and cut small bits from it to make a small bag. i stuff the bag with liver, stink bait or whatever and put it on a circle hook. Been doing that for most of my fishing life.

GatoAzul,
You can order it on: Whiskerkitty.com