I throw several different baits any time I'm targeting catfish, but lately hotdogs have been the only bait to get bit. I've been using strawberry jello powder and garlic powder with pieces about 1/4 of a frank each. They don't yield many bites until they've soaked for 3+ days in my experience. The hooks I use are 4/0 offset circle. My hookup ratio with circle hooks is usually high but I've only caught 1 of the 7-8 fish I've felt on my line when using hotdogs. I figured the size of the fish was the issue until today when I had two different fish that felt pretty big for my lake get away from me. Can anybody give me any pointers for increasing my hotdog hook rate? Different hook size/style? It's discouraging missing so many fish when the bite has been so slow for me lately.

I usually only catch channels on that bait. So, my go to is a #4 treble hook. I take the piece of hotdog, and mash it down over the top, to the barbs, leaving all three tips exposed. Never miss a fish. I have caught them using a 4/0 circle hook as well. But, I cut each dog into 10 to 12 pieces. Not big chunks of hotdog. I use strawberry Jello, but I use the minced garlic in a jar, with oil to add in.

Thanks for the quick reply! I was thinking that treble hooks would help but wasn't sure if it would lead to gut hooking. I think I'll grab some trebles and give it another try tomorrow, they were really biting today for the first ime in a week or so. I'll also try some smaller pieces. I hadn't thought about using jarred garlic but that makes sense, I bet the oils help attract more fish, too. I'd be fine with catching only channels but I guess I got lucky on my only hotdog catch, it was a ~18" blue!

I've caught blues on them, but I've caught far more channels using it.

Gotcha, as long as I'm getting some kind of bite I'm alright with it at the moment! I got some #4 treble hooks that I'll try out this evening, thanks again for the help!

If the fish doesn't bite you can eat the bait

I just stick to Stubby’s

I've had good luck on jugs using wieners and 5 ought circle hooks. My experience is different from the others, I've caught more blues.

As to hot dogs, as well as chicken breast meat ...

Dave soaks them in Dead Red. Not sure for how long (soaking) or how big of chunks or cuts he makes them to. Nor did I catch what type or size of hooks. He runs juglines & uses my Catfish Calendar (and has for quite a few years). I also taught him a few extra tips such as the overlap on days of the calendar. He has learned to key in on that. Bait them out, then reap the awards the next day. I have not heard from him lately, but this was the last posting (with pics) --->>>

<http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/11941303/Re:_Meat_Haul#Post11941303>

or

<http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/11941303/>

Of course this haul here (as to the two pics posted), may have been just chicken breast in Dead Red. He switches back & forth & sometimes uses both.

Almost forgot. He just uses Bar S & noted it does just fine. No need to buy the expensive kind

I'm not sure what's going on with the hotdogs but between yesterday and today I've lost another 4 fish that absolutely had the bait in their mouths, they were all bending the rod and moving my line but still no dice. I put smaller pieces onto #4 trebles for all 4. That makes at least a dozen fish in two weeks lost, all on the same bag of hotdogs. I haven't lost this many fish in a row since I started fishing, which is incredibly discouraging in cold conditions with slow bites. The last two weeks have led me to think I'm better off fishing again when spring comes around. The bag of dogs is now empty and I don't see myself making another batch any time soon.

Sounds like you need to downsize your bait and hook size. A 1 inch piece of hot dog and a 1/0 hook.

You might try using Little Smokies. They won't fill so much of the hook gap, and bonus is they are a bit tougher and thicker skinned. Should last longer on the hook. Cut in half and treat the same as the hotdogs.

One thing that I did when i used them on limb lines and trotlines was cut them in bait size bites then microwave them about 20 to 30 seconds until they felt rubber like then soak them in your mix. It made them stay on a hook better.

The secret method I was taught was to soak them in cherry Koolade, sprinkle with dried garlic and dry them in the sun. I guess you could put them in the oven for a bit instead.