The Right Catfish Fishing Hook
Catfish fishing can be one of the most fun and exciting fishing you can do. Choosing the right catfish fishing hook will depend on what type and size catfish you are trying to catch. Choose a hook too small and you will never catch the really big ones. Choose a hook to large and if you don’t catch the big one you may not catch anything at all.
When catfish fishing you should always have a variety of sizes in your tackle box so that you can adapt to the catfish that you catching. I generally keep sizes 1/0 to 6/0 bait holder hooks. I almost always begin with a 1/0 bait holder hook. I have caught catfish over 20 lbs with this hook. They are great for channel catfish of all sizes and will certainly allow you to provide plenty of good tasting fish for your dinner table.
When fishing for the big catfish, flatheads and blues, I usually start with a 4/0 bait holder hook. You may miss a few little ones with this hook but by using it we are saying we don’t want the little ones anyway. Remember that generally speaking bigger bait catches bigger catfish.
When it comes to winter catfish fishing, you really can get better results using smaller hooks. Even when you are trying to catch big fish. Especially in the winter, when the water is cold and calm, the catfish tend to be finicky, and you have to try to get them to take the bait without spooking them.
In the springtime, when the catfish are more aggressive, you can move up to some bigger hooks like a 6/0 bait holder hook. These are particularly good when there are flood water conditions present. During flood conditions, the fish tend to get very aggressive, and they really grab on to basically whatever is out there. You will miss some fish you could catch if you use the smaller hooks in flood conditions.
The Right Catfish Hooks To Increase Your Success
Knowing how to select the right catfish hooks for the type of catfish you want to catch is very important. Fishing for a 2lb channel is vastly different than fishing for a 50lb blue or flathead catfish. The sizes I use range from 2 to 2/0 in most waters but there are times when you can use larger hooks up to 6/0 effectively.
I usually fish with a 2/0 baitholder hook as I can get both table fare and some good sized cats without having to worry about the hook failing. When I am at a location, such as below a dam, that has proven to produce monster cats consistently I will use a 4/0 hook.
The way I select the right catfish hook is easy. In waters where I am unsure of what to use I always start with a 1/0 baitholder hook. If your drag is set properly this hook is sturdy enough to bring in the big catfish and small enough to provide good table fare.
When I am trying to make sure I have a decent catch to take home for dinner I often switch to a smaller hook. Not many catfish anglers recommend this but I have had great success doing so. For instance, if I am having a problem with the catfish taking my bait, running with it for a short distance and then just simply dropping the bait I will switch to a #2 baitholder. Of course it is not as effective for big fish but it does put food on the table.
When it comes to winter fishing for catfish, you really can get better results using smaller hooks too. Even when you are trying to catch big fish. Especially in the winter, when the water is cold and calm, the catfish tend to be finicky, and you have to try to get them out of the water without spooking them.
In the springtime, when the fish are not so finicky, you can move up to some bigger hooks like a 4/0 baitholder hook. These are particularly good when there are flood water kinds of conditions present. During flood conditions, the fish tend to get very aggressive, and they really grab on to basically whatever is out there. You will miss some fish you could catch if you use the smaller hooks in flood conditions.
No matter what size or type hook you prefer to use you should always have an assortment on hand so that you can adapt to the waters or conditions you are fishing in. Go often enough and you will work out your own system and preferences for choosing the right catfish hooks.
Sharp Hooks Needed For Catfish
A catfish has a very tough mouth and your hook will need to be very sharp. If it is not you will miss a lot of fish and lose a lot of bait. Those hooks you bought may feel sharp but they are probably not sharp enough. To find out if they are sharp enough simply let them slide down your fingernail and if it grabs without you putting pressure on it, it is sharp enough.
