Originally posted by: papa_d on 5/4/2006 12:03:05 PM

I don't fish for catfish at all here in muskegon; but while fishing for my Bluegill using a float n Crawlers; I will on occasion catch a Channel or Flathead... I give them away!!! Papa_d <!--graemlin::D-->

Originally posted by: kscatfisherman on 5/4/2006 8:09:20 AM

In a couple of weeks the channel cat will start spawning in the rocks here in NE Kansas. I use a slip float, with a 2/0 long shank hook. Any ideas why I don't hook about 30% of the bites? Thanks in advance.

Would circle hooks work in this situation?

Originally posted by: Vincent Fleming on 5/4/2006 4:28:20 PM

quote:

Originally posted by papa_d:
I don't fish for catfish at all here in muskegon; but while fishing for my Bluegill using a float n Crawlers; I will on occasion catch a Channel or Flathead... I give them away!!! Papa_d <!--graemlin::D-->

Originally posted by: papa_d on 5/4/2006 4:44:40 PM

Just a bushwackin the lillies big time!!! hahaha <!--graemlin::eek:-->

Originally posted by: ROD TENDER on 5/4/2006 5:22:11 PM

QUOTE] Originally posted by kscatfisherman:
In a couple of weeks the channel cat will start spawning in the rocks here in NE Kansas. I use a slip float, with a 2/0 long shank hook. Any ideas why I don't hook about 30% of the bites? Thanks in advance.

Would circle hooks work in this situation? [/QUOTE]

Kscatfishermen

After reading your post I'm assuming your using a 2/0 straight shank hook? If your not getting bites it could be that the hook gap is to small and you have no room for the hook to set.

You might want to try a bigger hook 3/0 and up.

YES One other option is to use a wide gap kahle hook or circle hook 3/0 up both have much wider gaps, which will clear the cartilage in the mouth and stick on the hook set <!--graemlin:;)-->

Good luck fishing <!--graemlin::)-->

Originally posted by: BDRooster on 5/10/2006 7:46:10 AM

quote:

Originally posted by ozzy702:
If you do use circles, dont try to set the hook. Just ease back on the pole. Also try using a bigger hook. I use 4/0 circles on channels up to 10 pounds.

Originally posted by: rodrigo on 5/11/2006 1:38:56 PM

I haven't seen this one yet so I'll toss it out there. Sharpen your hooks with a small file, it should stick in your thumbnail at a 45* angle with very little pressure.

If your hook lays flat, bend the hook to the side, right or left, it doesn't make any difference, just don't let the hook lie flat.

Open your gap with pliers. For cats up to 5 pounds I like fishing with little wire crappie hooks that I completely modify with a set of pliers. I open the gap and bend the pointed end out.

Always leave the point to the barb completely exposed.

70% hook up is really good.

I hope this helps.

Originally posted by: texashunter29 on 5/17/2006 6:07:22 AM

Try a shorte shank hook, channel cats do not usually require extremely large hooks. A 2/0 off set baitholder hook from Eagle Claw will suffice. Make sure that the cat has taken the bait. A common mistake that we all make is to not wait until the fish has taken the bait, setting the hook to early and pulling the bait away from the fish. Cats will bump and rub the line a lot of times before taking the bait. Let the fish run with the line or take the float under before setting the hook.

Originally posted by: lunkerhunter on 6/11/2006 11:32:19 AM

I seem to miss quite a bit of bites by channels also. I fish the Ohio R. with slip rigs and 1 0z.-minimum-weight egg sinkers. When you're talking about cats that weigh in excess of three lbs., blue and flathead cats typically just " inhale" the bait and go. Hooksets are not usually a problem with those species. Channels, on the other hand, will sometimes do the same on rare occasions, but more often "play" with the bait and are harder to catch.

Too soon on the hookset and you miss them. Allow them too much time before attempting a hookset and you end up with a bare hook --especially when using nightcrawlers or chicken livers.

I'd like some reponse from other cat fisherman to see if they agree that the larger blues and flatheads are easier to get a good hookset on. Maybe it's just my imagination.