Hey TFFers, Im going to texoma with grand girls 5-9 .Im staying at grand papys point.I heard top water early then go live bait.But not sure what hook to use for live bait.thanks for the help. Tim from Amarillo

i use a 3/0 or 4/0 circle if i'm not going to keep any , but a kahle of the same size will do the trick also

That's a big hook!

#1 or #2 Kahle hooks are what we use there for 3" to 5" shad...larger, I go to 1/0, MAYBE 2/0 for a big 8" shad...

Mustad 92604BLN 4/0

2/0. bigger for circle

timtwo if you have trouble geting live bait try jigging slabs over main lake points. I was up last weekend and my son and myself limeted out on stiper and had a mess of sand bass. just keep your line tight as you drop the slab down as they will hit it at the top or on the way down. I used white 1.5 oz slab like TNT in 20' of water. had to turn back 5 fish over 20 on Sunday and 7 over Monday morning. Good luck..keep a tight line

4/0 circle for threadfin and 5/0 circle for gizzard shad.

Thanks all now the dumb ? is hook in the nose or the back

Be sure you know how to tie on a circle or khale. If done improperly, you'll miss every bite.

I use a #2 treble hook. hook them thru the nose. I dont miss many fish w those!

I use the palomar. Is that O.K.?

Nose.

Mo

try out the gamakatsu wide gap finesse. its a real light wire hook but very strong. it doesnt wear yur bait out but it'll hang with the big boys.

Best I have found is to tie a snell knot. But, the line must enter the hook eye from the barb side ---j-->. This completes the circle and causes the hook to hang up in the corner of the fishes mouth. Many fish bite by scooping bait with open mouths for several feet. The line dragging behind the fish will pull the hook into the crease. Tied backwards it will turn and flip out.