Catch & Release With Bait?

[catfish307]

Hi everyone,

The wife, son and I will be down next week for a few days to fish. She wants to use Powerbait, which I know works quite well from experience several years back. When I used it with a small treble hook it was just about a guarantee that the fish would swallow it which meant of course I had to keep it and it made for a short day of fishing.

Is there a setup to use Powerbait and live bait where they don't swallow it? Hopefully I can get her to jig fish and have success but in case she still wants to use bait, I'd like her to be able to release them if possible.

Thanks, Chris

[rps]

Circle hooks minimize the number of fish who swallow the bait. Thread the worm or mold the PB around the hook; when you have a bite, start reeling. The line will pull the hook into the corner of the fish mouth.

Very high hook up ratio and better than 9 out of 10 hooked in the side of the mouth.

Have a great trip.

[Trevor K]

That's interesting. I guess I never thought of using circle hooks with powerbait for some reason. I never realized that circle hooks came in sizes small enough to do that. I'll be down in Oct so I'll have to look into getting some and giving that a try.

I think it just varies from day to day too. I know I've been down there just using a small bait holder hook and had days where it seemed like every fish was hooked in the corner of the mouth. Then other days it will seem like they swallow it more. Maybe I was just quicker on the draw when I was getting them in the mouth.

[denjac]

. Maybe I was just quicker on the draw when I was getting them in the mouth.

Thats it in a nutshell. The single hook is the only way to go.

[rainbow]

If the fish swallows the hook and you don't want to keep it just cut the hook off while the fish is in the water. It won't hurt the fish and will rust away. If you try to get it out you are going to kill the fish. Circle hooks also work but sometimes with power bait they will swallow it. The small egg hooks are cheap enough that you can cut them off. Jigs are always the best option for c and r.

[Trout Commander]

Hi everyone,The wife, son and I will be down next week for a few days to fish. She wants to use Powerbait, which I know works quite well from experience several years back. When I used it with a small treble hook it was just about a guarantee that the fish would swallow it which meant of course I had to keep it and it made for a short day of fishing. Is there a setup to use Powerbait and live bait where they don't swallow it? Hopefully I can get her to jig fish and have success but in case she still wants to use bait, I'd like her to be able to release them if possible. Thanks, Chris

I am sure it goes without saying Catfish, but above the mouth of Fall Creek bait isn't allowed. Like I said I am sure you know but just to save you the hassle of having to move down stream after you get there in case you didn't know I thought it would be worth the trouble of posting.

Best of luck!

[Wayne SW/MO]

Circle hooks, not Octopus Circle hooks, but the real ones. You have to let them take the bait seriously, even swallowing it. The hook set is to lower the rod tip to your side and give a reasonable pull. When you pull the hook out with the line coming out the corner of the jaw it will turn and hook.

[Trevor K]

What size circle hooks are you using with powerbait? Do you have to use the powerbait dough or can you put 2 eggs on?

[catfish307]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll pick her up some of the circle hooks when we get there and she can try them. I've not had much luck with the circle hooks on catfish though. I just can't get the hang of not setting the hook. It's just a natural reaction to jerk the heck out of it when the rod starts bouncing. Does anyone know if Lilley's sells the cirlce hooks? Thanks, Chris

[rainbow]

Don't know, just call or email them and they'll tell you.