Being new to inshore fishing, I was fishing from the HOA’s dock this afternoon and seemed to be primarily feeding the crabs. I have a basic question–when using mud minnows for bait what size hook is correct. Also is it better to use regular hooks or circle hooks when fishing with popping cork.
Thanks
Tacn
Under a cork I usually use a 2/0 circle hook but you have to be careful not to jerk it out of their mouth when you see the cork go down. Instead , wait a couple of seconds till you feel the fish pull.
17’ Mako
thanks
Someone whose opinion I trust put me onto kahle(?) hooks a couple of years ago,and they’ve worked well for me. Size 2/0 like Screaming said.
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
2/0 is a good size and my starting hook, but if you are continuing to get bit but not catching, downsize. I will quickly change to a #1 or #2, but I’ve used #4’s and even #6’s just to see what had been stealing my bait (besides the crabs). Whiting, croakers, and spots can easily be caught on the smaller hooks, but they might straighten out on larger fish, sharks, and rays.
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
2/0 Owner mutu light circle seems to be our area’s goto. Just because you can catch a wide variation of size if that make sense. I have caught under slot and over slot. Trout, Redfish, and Flounder will all get on.
However I accidentally bought a big pack of #2 Khales on Amazon and have been really impressed.
I know saying this will set a firestorm, but I am getting much fewer gut hooks with a small treble on my corks. I just followed someone else’s advice on that and it seems to work really well. I kinda got preachy with the person, but I trusted him and…well it is working. Like I said I know I am gonna get called a jerk for even posting. Just the truth.
I’m with BB, I fish mostly with kahles inshore and even though they are considered a circle they are offset. I rarely ever gut hook a fish with them though. I use 2/0 and 4/0 when fishing larger baits for reds.
2005 Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”
Had never heard of Kahle hooks before, so did a little looking and found this interesting read. For those of you who use them, are you finding a increased rate of gut hooking? I think I will stick with my circle hooks for now.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/mrri/insh_fish/reddrum/hooks.html
One Simple Thanks!!
http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
Whose opinion do you trust … haha
quote:
Originally posted by Black BartSomeone whose opinion I trust put me onto kahle(?) hooks a couple of years ago,and they’ve worked well for me. Size 2/0 like Screaming said.
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
experience noun \ik-#712;spir–#601;n(t)s
-
the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation
-
that thing you get just moments after you needed it.
The Kahle style hook was the precursor to circle hooks as the tip points back toward the shank. You will still gut hook some, but hook up ratios are higher than with in line circles. I fish Kahle hooks under floats and circle hooks on bottom rigs.
I also use kahle hooks under floats, especially with live shrimp, and circle hooks on the bottom rigs. My Dad always called kahle hooks “trout hooks”. I also like using thin gold wire hooks with live shrimp or mud minnows.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
I believe the offset of kahle hooks is why we got hook more fish with them. I rarely gut hook a fish with them but if I’m using kahles I am holding my rod, not a hook for a rod holder soaking bait as others here have said.
2005 Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”