What type and size of hook would you use when jug lining for large cats with live bait such as shad or sunfish? A regular hook or one of the so called "self hooking" circle hooks and where would you place the hook on baitfish?

I don't use anything for cats except circle hooks. I use Gamakatsu Octopus Circle hooks, 8/0 for live bait flathead rigs, and 3/0 for channels. We can only use rod and reel here in Arizona.

I would also recommend the circle hooks for 2 reasons-they tend to 'set' themselves and you don't get anywhere near the amount of gut hooked fish. Tom

I don't jug fish, but from what I gather there's a preference for the success with circle hooks.

Thank you for the info, good fishing to all.

I'm a new member, so I'm sorry this is posted so late. I am a huge flathead fisherman, I use rod and reel, set lines, and jugs. When I use rods and set lines I use only 8/0 gamakatsu octopus circle hooks. With jugs though I still have a problem with the fish swallowing the hook cause my lines are longer than the water is deep, so the fish doesn't get the pressure on the line to turn the hook into the corner of the mouth. I have actually lost a few fish due to the circle hooks, because of the same aspect of "don't set the hook", if the fish has the bait in it's mouth or stomach and you pick up the jug and the fish instantly jerks it's like setting the hook, you may hook them our you may just pull it straight out. Now I have not had it happen alot but I have had it happen enough to make a change. Now I use bass pros cat max baitholders in 8/0 and I have only lost one fish since the switch. Hope this helps, and good luck!!!!