I usually hook mine from nose to nose if they are finky. If they are hitting hard and swallowing the hook, I hook them in right in the middle of the last top fin and the spine

oh, make sure not to puncture the the spine, that will cause the fish not to swim correctly.

I usually hook-em right at the top of the top fin when free-lining dropping straight down with 1/4 to 1/2 oz. egg sinker, swivel then 18"-24" leader line below swivel. Or through eyes or nose for smaller ones right on bottom.

Sure wish I still had access to a marina on Lake Travis.
I'd be there tonight fishing for Stripers,Whites,LM and Catfish.
Have a spot I can catch all the perch I want, pretty much any time of the day.
My (7')cast net, makes all the difference if you know how to throw one

circle hook through the meat of the tail, wooks well for me and my group early in the AM.