Just got my skin mount in from Fish Scale Taxidermy and they did a great job. The package came just as I was heading to the lake so I left her in the box and went fishing. Took some time to find fish on the south end. The hyrbids were slow all night. The numbers weren't there but the size was. The first hyrbid of the day was a new PB for me that measure 25 1/2 and weighed around 9lbs. (NOT DIGITAL WEIGHT) caught 2 other hybrids both small legals and then started casting a fiesta slab and hooking up with Whites on every cast. Got bored with that, hung out with Sassyman for a bit and then headed for the ramp. The son was low behind a cloud and as I was heading north I noticed a single patch of water in front of me that looked like the wind was blowing in the opposite direction on it. As I got closer I realized it was a mess of sandies schooling in the middle of the lake over 30 feet of water. I killed the motor and caught nice sandbass and under hybrids on top on everything in my tackle box, Coco Moes, Sassy Shad, Godfather slabs you name it they were eating it. This went on for over 30 minutes until after sunset and then stopped. Here is a picture of the skin mount and one of the big hybrid thats on its way to Fish Scale today!! (I know its not a DD but we need more fish for the wall and it was gut hooked anyways. If anyone has any tips for how to not gut hook fish on live bait please let me know. I tried the 8/0 Mustad hooks someone recommended and I am still throat hooking them. Any advice would be welcome!!)

I like circle hooks sized appropriately for the bait being used.

Dont believe i have ever throat hooked one with them, even as small as 2/0.

Circle hooks. Can't recall ever throat-hooking one with these hooks. Nice catches!

Good looking mount and very nice hybrid!

I haven't yet connected with live bait on a hybrid, but using circle hooks at the coast has always provided a decent mouth hookup. One thing you have to keep in mind, don't set the hook like you're trying to break its neck, you could pull the hook from its mouth. Once a decent pressure is on the line a gentle set with a sharp hook will do it.

I use the Gamakatsu 4/0 most of the time at the coast and that's the hook I'll use this weekend with some shad.

Charlie

Nice mount! U should try circle hooks???

Nice job Rap...

Congrats on your PB Mike! Never tried circle hooks on hybrids but I would try smaller circle hooks, size 3/0 or even 2/0. I got a bunch from the Academy in Houston. Will give you some to try the next time I see you. I used these small circle hooks on red snappers and even bull reds several in the 40" range and dont recall ever gut hooked them. All have been lip hooked.

I love circle hooks for live or cut baits!

Nice report, and nice mount. Good loookin green back there!

I personally say you hold off on that hybrid mount. It's a big one, but I think you'll get bigger. I mounted a dd from Hubbard, and I stare at her every night above my tv. Sometimes I swear she blows a kiss at me. I've caught a couple bigger since. But that was my biggest at the time, and I was an excited newbie!!!

I'm lookin for a 13, 15, 17 lb. striper next. That would look good over the big screen!!

Good fishin
Mike

Nice fish for sure, that was me next to ya with the music, lol , caught a few early then slowed wayyy down. Picked up a few sandies and a cat on the way out when I left you and sassy man.

I use only circle hooks with live bait "except crappies" and this past Friday my son gut hooked a ditch pickle. It was the first time I've ever had anything gut hooked. Circle hooks work great but like just about everything else "they ain't 100%". Nice fish BTW!

Barbless circle. Nice mount and good looking, fat and healthy hybrid!

I know its no double digit but we got space on the wall and my new bass mount needs friends..so why not!

Put it on the wall Mike. I would

goodun