How to choose hooks for catfish based on the fishing method and what to pay attention to

Somyat fishermen have long realized that in the hunt for a mustachioed giant there are no trifles, both in the choice of strategy and in the correct set of equipment. Due to the possibility of catching a fairly large trophy, equipment should be selected taking into account this specificity. An integrated approach includes the use of powerful gear and a harmoniously assembled installation made from a high-strength main cord that meets the requirements of depth, current and type of bait, weight and durable hooks for catching catfish.

There is no doubt that the importance of each element of equipment affects the final success of the hunt and knowledge in the field of selection of accessories helps the fisherman make the equipment reliable and at the same time not replete with unnecessary links that complicate the design. Hooks for catfish are among the key points of equipment and impose special requirements on the quality and type of structure of the accessory, which consists in the use of a special shape and size of the hook depending on the type of fishing and the use of the bait, as well as the strength of the material from which the hook is made.

The article will focus on the issue of the peculiarities of the structure of the hook when fishing for catfish, which affects the reliability of hooking the trophy and confidence when fishing it, as well as the most acceptable application option, where the shape and size guarantee a clear fixation of the bait for comfortable fishing.

Features of the hook structure

A catfish hook, in its essence, is not much different from the accessory familiar to most fishermen. In its design features, it has all the same basic structural elements, differing significantly in that only the size of the hook is several times larger than the types usual in float fishing. Catfish are caught on hooks with a long shank, which ends in a fastening head made in the form of a rounded, soldered loop, bent from the hook in the opposite direction at an angle of 60–75 degrees. The fastening loop allows you to knit cords more securely and conveniently, and the bend prevents the cord from chafing at times when a fish caught, but not yet noticed by the fisherman, remains on the tackle for a long time, for example, the entire night time period of the fishing session.

Another feature of the selection is the length of the beard. Its size should clearly stand out against the background of the sting of the accessory, but at the same time not look like an exaggerated appendage extending deeply into the central radius of the accessory. The gap at the rise between the bit and the base should not exceed 3 mm. Long barbs are prone to deformation under the compression pressure of the predator's powerful jaw brushes, which negates the effectiveness of hooking even with a super-sharp sting. For more effective fixation of baits, and especially live bait and fishing in strong currents, changes are made to the design of the catfish hook by bending the sting inwards under the hook, and also experimenting with the radius, slightly breaking its circumference in the back of the head or frontal part.

Choosing fishing hooks in the store

It is better to buy hooks from trusted brands, since you won’t catch much with a bad hook. The most popular manufacturers of fishing hooks are the following companies: Mustad (Norway), Owner (USA), Kamasan, Gamakatsu, Tiemco (Japan), rare fisherman can say something bad about them.

Tips for choosing

Due to the fact that hooks from different companies have a discrepancy in size, it is better to bring a sample of the required hook with you, this will make it easier for you not to make a mistake. Be sure to tell the seller what kind of fish you are going to hunt, because there are many specialized hooks on sale that are sharpened for a specific fish (for example, hooks for catfish, pike, crucian carp, etc.) In order to determine the strength of the hook, apply a load to it, under its influence, it should not bend or break.

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To determine the sharpness of the hook, run the sting along your nail; if it slides without leaving scratches, then the hook is dull and you shouldn’t buy it, but if it became dull during fishing, you can sharpen it using a nail file.. For sharpening small hooks, a striker on a matchbox will do. By the way, it is quite convenient to store hooks in matchboxes, although it is better to do this in boxes with foam rubber, or stick them into pieces of foam plastic). Also on the box there should be markings on the size of the fishing hook, the materials from which it is made, and how to sharpen it.

Classification of catfish hooks by size

The optimal size of the accessory follows from the angler’s expectations of the possible size of the caught trophy. Based on these factors, we cannot say with certainty that it is effective to use very large hooks when hunting for catfish. Catfish up to 3–5 kilograms can be successfully caught using hooks borrowed from carp fishing enthusiasts. Both in terms of shape and strength, they can cope quite adequately with hooking and landing fish of the agreed dimensions. But since you are expecting really gigantic catfish weighing a couple of tens of kilograms, you certainly cannot do without a specific tool.

Next, recommendations will be given on the use of the hook based on its numbering, which determines the mass of the fish and in combination with the size of the trophy and the possible installation of bait required by its size. After all, the larger the fish size planned for the catch, the larger the bait used. It is unreasonable to attach a large baitfish to a small number of an accessory, since you will also try to collect a bunch of bait on a large size hook.

Important! Catfish up to 10 kg are caught on hooks No. 5/0–6/0. No. 9/0 is used if the plans for a trophy are no higher than 20 kg. All other installations in the calculations for catching larger fish are equipped with numbers No. 10/0, 11/0 and higher.

Fishing tackle

To hunt catfish you will need the following equipment:

A plug-in type of rod is perfect; it will help you when fishing for large fish, which will show unforgettable and decent resistance.
Rod – Considering that prey can weigh up to 99 kg, it is recommended to select extremely durable models with maximum power. A plug-in type of rod is perfect. It is this that will assist in landing large fish, which will show unforgettable and worthy resistance. The length of the rod affects the pulling force. It is better to choose a relatively short length. It is capable of delivering maximum traction force, which will be very useful in the fight against a predator. Experts consider the ideal length to be 2.7 meters. As for the fishing rod test, here you need to understand what the fishing will be done with. When fishing with live bait, tests of 0.1-0.6 kg are used, and if you rely on artificial bait, then the range of the recommended test can be increased to 0.15 kg.
The reel is a fairly significant piece of gear. The most important thing when choosing is to consider the reliability and durability of the product. Inertia-free reels with a metal base have proven themselves to be excellent. But if you wish, you can also purchase a multiplier. Both types are quite practical and if you choose the right manufacturer, you can rest assured of reliability. Be sure to check that the spool holds at least 200 m of line (diameter 0.5 mm).
Fishing line – optionally select fishing line (diameter 0.5-0.7 mm) or braided line (thickness 0.35-0.6 mm). When choosing a braided cord, you can be sure of withstanding a heavy load (about 60 kg) at break. But it is worth remembering that the cord tends to fray when caught on sharp shells during fishing. A fishing line with a thickness of 0.9 mm completely eliminates such misunderstandings.
Sinker - the choice primarily depends on the strength of the current and the bait used. With minimal or no current, choosing a light sinker will be successful. Additional weight of the sinker is necessary when using large live bait as bait. If the fishing area is heavily snagged and dotted with aquatic vegetation, then the cast should be made as accurately as possible. Heavier versions of the sinker will also help here, since if there is insufficient weight, the equipment will involuntarily move away with the current. This situation often leads to snags and subsequently to breakage of the braid or fishing line. Purchasing a sliding type sinker will also reduce the possibility of line breakage. It will allow you to veil the resistance of the load during the process of testing the bait by a predator.
Hooks - it is very important to select the strongest and sharpest options that will be able to firmly hook and hold a large catfish, which puts up a strong fight in an attempt to break free. The hook size is selected depending on the bait. For large bait, a tee number 6 or an ordinary hook number 30 is suitable; for medium-sized baits it is better to purchase an ordinary hook number 10; smaller baits are best combined with hooks number 6. It is not advisable to use very small sizes due to the large size of the fish. You should also prepare leashes for attaching hooks. Their breaking load should reach 150 kg. A fishing line with a diameter of 1 mm and a length of 35-45 cm is perfect, but the use of braided cord as leashes is not recommended, as they easily rub against the sharp teeth of the fish.
The swivel and carabiner must also be of good quality and have increased strength. Under no circumstances should you use cheap equipment. They are completely unsuitable for catching catfish.

Basic requirements for hooks for catfish

If the determination of dimensions occurs purely by visual examination, then for the remaining requirements it is worth applying both force and experimental methods that certify the quality of the product. The basis of quality is the strength of the hook, which cannot always be determined only by familiarizing yourself with the thickness of the material from which the product is curved.

Important! Thick wire does not guarantee success. Reliability is guaranteed by the composition of the steel, which is selected based on the physical properties of the alloy such as elasticity, low brittleness and hardness.

This type includes high-carbon alloy steels, in other words, stainless elastic wires, which, after forming the required shapes, are additionally subjected to various types of heat treatments, fixing the resulting geometry without compromising the original properties. It is worth noting that this type of steel is quite difficult to sharpen, but a tip brought to an ideal state is subsequently also difficult to dull. Sharpness is the most important requirement for a catfish hook, compliance with which significantly increases the percentage of successful catching of a trophy.

Which brand of hook to choose

When choosing a hook, you should know that it must be of high quality, otherwise it will let the fisherman down at the most inopportune moment. This is especially true for the selection of small hooks, given the fact that a larger specimen can bite.

You should not stop at choosing cheap and low-quality hooks from unknown or little-known companies that manufacture originals from well-known companies. If you catch larger fish with them, they may become bent or even break.

It is very important that the hook is always sharp and holds the sting throughout the season. Many hooks are not capable of this, and after the first fishing they become dull

High-quality hooks can last for several seasons without losing their sharpness. When choosing, it is better to give preference to hooks from such companies as:

These are hook models that will never let you down, although there are other companies whose hooks are no worse. This can be established experimentally, using hooks from different companies. Naturally, most anglers prefer cheaper models. If you plan to catch fish such as roach and crucian carp, when they bite mainly “small things” no more than 100 g, then you can get by with cheap models.

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Selecting gear according to fishing method

Based on the fishing method, somyatniks also use various forms of hook. The main arguments here are bite control and the type of bait used. In particular, fishing with quok implies constant control of the gear, where the angler perfectly feels the movements of the bait and the moment of bite. Products with a long fore-end and a wide hook are convenient for quoting, which makes it easier to mount a large bait and connect the cord to an accessory.

In classic bottom fishing, bite control is periodic and products are required that prevent the bait from spontaneously coming off and being pulled away by the current. In this situation, hooks with a shortened forend and a crease in the hook radii are used. Therefore, this method of selecting a product based on the fishing method can be safely focused on the bite control being performed. If fishing is carried out in the constant presence of an angler, then the classic type of product with an even radius and a straight tip will be quite effective and thin equipment in its essence. If the gear is set with the expectation of self-hooking the fish, then various kinds of bends will help to hold the bait for a longer time and more reliably hook the trophy without the possibility of its disappearance.

Homemade hooks for catfish

Anglers already experienced in hunting for the mustachioed giant, who know the nuances that can help successfully catch fish, make homemade hooks for catching catfish. The basis is steel, from which the springs are twisted. A wire thickness of 1.5-3 mm allows you to create the geometry of the product, and use a thin needle file to cut out a suitable beard and sharpen the hook tip with high quality. A factory product is taken as a sample and the required processing of the workpiece is carried out based on it.

Important! The advantages of a homemade product are the ability to additionally harden the tip using heat treatment, thereby making it even more resistant to grinding and providing enhanced strength qualities. In addition, the mounting head can be improved for mounting a leash using the weaving method, riveting off the shank of the accessory's fore-end to the desired shape and size.

Pliers, a light hammer, a vice, a hacksaw and a needle file will help shape the product, and a regular gas burner will give it hardness through heat treatment.

What bait to use

The catfish is omnivorous and the list of baits used is very extensive. But, of course, these are only animal attachments. Moreover, the preferences of catfish can be traced depending on the body of water where fishing takes place. Those baits that are successfully used in some regions may be completely ignored by catfish in others. The main baits for catching catfish are as follows.

Worms

Perhaps the most universal nozzle for most bodies of water. To catch catfish, the largest worms are used (preferably crawlers), mounted in a large large bunch. A single hook can be tightly stuffed with worms by piercing the middle and forming a large ball. Catfish readily take this bait everywhere.

Frog

A classic catfish bait, known for a long time. Large grass frogs are used for bait. It is best if the frog is alive and moving underwater. Placed behind the back under the skin or behind the hind legs.

Locusts, mole crickets, chafer larvae

Large insects do not attract catfish everywhere. As a rule, catching catfish with them is most successful in the southern regions. In addition, obtaining such bait can be problematic.

Zywiec

Live fish or dead fish are successfully used when catching catfish. Live bait should be quite large, from 200 g and above. You can use ide, bream, and roach. For dead fish, you can make side cuts with a knife.

Meat, liver, poultry intestines

Most often, such nozzles are used that are affected by rotting. In this case, they additionally attract the predator with their “aroma.”

Cancers

“Crayfish necks” and molting crayfish are very popular with catfish where crayfish are found in abundance. More often used when catching small catfish. The inconvenience is that in the water there are quite a lot of people who like to eat crayfish meat, in addition to catfish, and they can eat the bait.

Perlovitsa

The fleshy “tongue” of the freshwater mollusk is often used to catch catfish. You can put one or more pearl barley on the hook, depending on their size. It is easy to open a pearl barley shell with a thin, sharp knife by inserting the blade between the doors and cutting the strands at the top.

Scorched birds

Not the most common bait now, but nevertheless loved by large catfish. A small bird is scorched in its feathers to charred stumps. Some people think that it’s better to let the carcass rot later, others that it doesn’t matter.

Most popular manufacturers

When purchasing products for catfish hunting, you should also pay attention to the reputation of the product manufacturer in the fishing industry. The company's reputation will guarantee reliability and allow you to spend money effectively. In the field of production of hooks for trophy fishing, the Japanese brand Gamakatsu positions itself well . With relatively small thicknesses of hooks, they can withstand quite high loads without being subject to deformation of the hook and the fastening ring. The company produces a wide range of product modifications and sizes.

The only drawback is the high price, although reliability should cost money. More budget options are produced by the well-known brand Owner. Types with different bend angles and convenient wide fastening loops, allowing you to quickly and securely attach the hook to any diameter of the cord, make fishing more comfortable. The products of this company are thicker in diameter, but much cheaper than the previous example.

How to tie a hook on a catfish

Somyatniks use a method of weaving the forend into the leash of the tackle, which requires special equipment in the form of a knitting device. Such tyings are durable, but quite labor-intensive and are prepared at home in advance of fishing trips. In field conditions, a fisherman has the right to tie a knot known to him, which will ensure reliability and guarantee spontaneous untying. Given the large diameters of the cords, the loops of the knots are folded tightly and evenly without overlapping each other. Tighten the knitting to the limits of effort, eliminating all possible loosening.

Important! For greater reliability, after tightening the cord, it is recommended to glue the finished knot, which will reduce internal friction and prevent possible self-loosening of the installation.