I am new to catfishing. I am a northerner used to fishing for walleyes. Always used the Lindy approach. Detect a light bite, feed them some line so they can eat it. Reengage, and then jerk their lips off when you feel weight.

When learning how to catfish, we read all about the santee copper rig with circle hooks, and that is what we are using. We have done pretty well for newbies. We have caught a lot of fish up to 20 pounds so far, but it seems like we miss a lot too.

Last night with that North wind, the bite was light, and the fish weren't loading themselves. Three reels without sweeping, and we were pulling the bait right out of their mout. Only caught one fish, and it was barely hooked. Probably had 7 or 8 solid bites. That is a really low hooking percentage based on our past trips, but the bite was different, not as aggressive (I am not including the channel cats in those bites. I have learned to recognize those hits).

But I just was thinking about that lindy rig method. I think we would have put more fish in the boat last night if we were not using circle hooks due to the nature of the bite.

Chime in. I am still learning.

We're you anchored or drifting? I use circles most of the time I fish but I encountered times that you are talking about when the bite doesn't seem to be aggressive enough for the fish to hook themselves, you can try changing up hook size to a bit smaller hook or you can switch out hooks to a khale and set the hook. As far as rig choices go if drifting I use santee and when I am anchored I will use santee and a floating three way, for those choppy days that make it difficult to keep your line tight I will only use the floating three way. This all works for me and others will chime in what works for them to give you options, good luck to ya.

Strictly Kahle hooks in my boxs,no time for circle hook games
They bite the hook and its time for an autopsy YANK,make them granny panties look like thongs when you get them surfaced

+1

We were drifting, but the wind wasn't very strong so we were barely moving. With all of the ski boat action yesterday, it seemed sometimes we were drifting against the wind are not moving at all. Santee cooper rig with 6/0 circle hooks and cut shad. We had one big pole out with a whole bluegill and 8/0 circle hook. By the end of our trip, we were using our trolling motor to speed up our drift so we could cover some water. The night bite wasn't very good. Maybe we needed to go to skinny water.

Since we have been doing this, it seems like when the blues hit, your pole is in the water before you get to your rod holder, but last night, it was nothing like that.

It's been an odd bite for me for the last week. Real soft hits. Once this high pressure changes it should get better. They should be coming off spawn but here it's still active.

circle

I use both, and both have there place depending on bite and how i'm fishing.

for light bites, try octopus hooks... set the hook hard!

I like circle hooks, but for drifting I always use Kahle hooks. They work for me, so if it isn't broken I don't fix it!

I prefer the kahle

either one works well

Circle hooks for me

Circle for me too. Never had a problem. By the time I realize I got a bite, the fish is realizing he's screwed. Never lost one so far

I like Khales for vertical drifting