Got a nice red on a piece of cut mullet tonight but hooked him pretty deep and ended up cutting the line and leaving the hook in.
This is getting frustrating because I don’t want to hurt the fish and I feel like I’m using the right rig but I would say that I’m gut hooking over 50% of the bigger reds.
Am I doing something wrong or just getting some bad luck?
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
I started using a shorter leader and increased the hook size to 4/0 gamakatsu circle. That seemed to help. Although it still happens from time to time
Are you holding the rod, or do you put it in a rod holder? The longer they have to eat it before you turn the hook around, the deeper it will go.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Capt Larry,
That might be the problem. I had the rod in a holder so he must have had time to swallow it. I thought that even in that case, the fish would eat the bait, start swimming and the circle hook would find its way to the corner if his mouth. Apparently, they’re swallowing the bait and then, when they swim off, the hook is catching in its throat/gut.
It’s just frustrating because I’m hooking more fish deep than I am in the corner.
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
if you are using at least a 3/0 then the rod holder may be it - i switched to 3/0 from 2/0 and my guthooks went way down… of course I havent been fishing much so my gut hooks have been ZERO lately…
Like someone mentioned…try a larger hook and leave the point exposed.
big dog
What brand/model hook are you using?
how long of a leader are you using?
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
President, Summerville Saltwater Anglers
Only use non-offset circle hooks. Most circle hooks have an offset to the side that helps with hookups. The problem is that it also helps to hook a redfish right behind the crushers. If you take the time to bend the barb in line with the shank of the hook on the offset ones it will help also.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Make sure your circle hooks are not offset hooks. They should lay flat if you put them on a flat surface. If the point of the hook is bent to the left or the right, you drastically increase the chance of a gut-hook, and don’t necessarily increase your odds of a successful catch compared to a standard circle hook.
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.
Ha! Beat you to it by 6 seconds!
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Agree with using non-offset hooks!
Yep offsets are pretty much the same as using j hooks
quote:
Originally posted by Optikerhow long of a leader are you using?
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Excellent question.
you will gut hook more fish with a circle hook in a rod holder than holding the rod with a j hook.
[/URL]
I fish cut mullet with short leader on a Carolina rig pretty often. I do keep a close eye on the rod and pick it up if there is any kind of reasonable hit. Still get an occasional gut hook. Therefore, I have started squashing down the hook barb so that the hook is easy to remove if it hangs up in the fish’s gut. As long as the line is kept tight with the fish on, I have not had a fish to escape with the bent barbs. Even if fish are lost in the future, I would rather lose a few than leave a hook in a redfish’s stomach.
Last night, it was about a 40 inch leader with about a 1oz egg sinker then the swivel and main line.
quote:
Originally posted by Optikerhow long of a leader are you using?
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
President, Summerville Saltwater Anglers
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
quote:
Originally posted by SmokermanI fish cut mullet with short leader on a Carolina rig pretty often. I do keep a close eye on the rod and pick it up if there is any kind of reasonable hit. Still get an occasional gut hook. Therefore, I have started squashing down the hook barb so that the hook is easy to remove if it hangs up in the fish’s gut. As long as the line is kept tight with the fish on, I have not had a fish to escape with the bent barbs. Even if fish are lost in the future, I would rather lose a few than leave a hook in a redfish’s stomach.
Good idea, maybe I’ll try that. I smash the barbs on my flies when I’m bonefishing and rarely if ever lose a fish for that reason. I’m sure it happens, but like you, I’d rather lose the fish than leave the hook in.
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
WAY TOO LONG. In NC most us 4-6 inches. Less than 12 inches should be more than enough.
quote:
Originally posted by bonecrusherLast night, it was about a 40 inch leader with about a 1oz egg sinker then the swivel and main line.
quote:
Originally posted by Optikerhow long of a leader are you using?
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
President, Summerville Saltwater Anglers
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
Explain how the length of the leader impacts how deep the fish is going to swallow the bait?
quote:
Originally posted by BigSkrimpinWAY TOO LONG. In NC most us 4-6 inches. Less than 12 inches should be more than enough.
quote:
Originally posted by bonecrusherLast night, it was about a 40 inch leader with about a 1oz egg sinker then the swivel and main line.
quote:
Originally posted by Optikerhow long of a leader are you using?
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
President, Summerville Saltwater Anglers
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau