Night Fishing, Fellows.

[Huckfinn]

Didnt have the gas money to drive to stockton so settled for a closer Fellows lake North of Springfield. I just bought a few minnows Didnt get one bite on a minnow, but on bottom with worm I got 3 hits not anything worth grabing the pole up and yankin on him I dont grab it on little faint hits I set there and watch it and usally wait until the pole goes in the water is a good sign u gotta fish on dumbo... So then the sun went down and caught a perch and cut him up and made 5 chunks of bait and the fish on bottom ate all of the five chunks but could not get a hook to set I dont know if I need a bigger hook because when I stuck him on top under the dorsel finn the hook was just pokeing out the other side. Needless to say missed alot of fish or just one really smart one. Huck

[OzarkFishman]

What kind/size of hook are you using?

What is your set-up as far as lead, leader, etc?

[Huckfinn]

Well a simple set up of a good size sinker sqeeze one with pliares and Im useing a size 6 hook and they are called Gamakatsu, Octopus circle hooks. and thats it, I was batting a 1000 with this same set up and I nailed that walleye with this set up. I just think my bait was to big. They were hitting the bait and not getting the HOOK!!! but they tore up my bait. I dont know it might have been a smaller fish that could'nt swallow it, Snapping turtle who knows, whats on bottom? Just makes you mad when they take all your bait and you dont land any at all, next time will be different, I will head to stockton and that lake they swallow hook and all, get back to batting a 1000 at stockton, fellows 000.00 not good, But I would like some tips if you got any... Huck

[OzarkFishman]

I would recommend using a sliding weight and a swivel, then tie on a leader. It adds to the rig, but it allows some line to move through the weight without the fish feeling as much resistance as a big split shot.

I would also recommend moving quite a bit up in size for the hook. I use size 6 and 8 for bluegill fishing with worms ... I am sure you can catch big fish with these small hooks, but big cats have big lips . Go with anything from 1/0 up. Sometimes I use 4/0 to 7/0 when going after bigger cats.

As far as hookset goes ... it should be a sweeping hookset for circle hooks, not a jerk. The physics of a circle hook allows it to continue to sink deeper with consistent force. Setting the hook can actually decrease hookups if it is done wrong with a circle hook.

If you want to set the hook, then you can use a Kahle hook that offers a good wide shape to the hook while also having a straight point to set.

Hopefully some of this helps,

OzarkFishman

[Huckfinn]

Thanks there ozarkfisherman I like the idea of a slideing weight but never have used one? I guess u tie a knot somewhere to stop it? And on the sweeping the circle hook do you mean left or right with the rod and not straight over your head... And slow tugg not a jerk... got it. My uncle told me that circle hooks are origanlly made for trout lines and their supose to set the hook all by them selves, he made fun of me saying I was cheating by useing them. I just felt like useing something new. Don vance turned me on to them, the older guy with the tennassee vols hat. Huck

[OzarkFishman]

I think you mean Bill Dance with the Vols hat, but there could be another guy Don.

Just put the sliding weight (egg, bullet, some type of lead that can slide) first. Then, tie on the swivel which will stop the weight. Finally, tie on a leader and attach the hook.

Circle hooks are big in catfishing, but they are more popular in salt-water fishing since the hook-ups rate is so high and the fatality rate for the fish is decreased due to the hooks being set in the side of the fish's mouth and not in the stomach.

Some people sweep set (left or right like you said) and some people just start reeling. The main thing is to not jerk the hook out of the fish's mouth.

Good luck out there,

OzarkFishman

[Huckfinn]

You are so wright!! left or right or just reeling it in it makes it so simple, And Bill Dance is correct, my friend you sound like a guy I could fish with. Im gone this weekend at Caplinger with my kids thinkin about limb lineing. This weekend were gonna have fun. Hope you like havein fun with kids. Im gonna be there with my kids catchin fish and haveing fun... Its my birthday too and I like catching fish and haveing a birthday too, and its Memorial weekend too, I love my people that has went on and the ones that are still here with use. Happy Memorial to all!!!!! and Happy birthday to me Huck loud and clear!!!! Huck

[Fishinokie1]

You are so wright!! left or right or just reeling it in it makes it so simple, And Bill Dance is correct, my friend you sound like a guy I could fish with. Im gone this weekend at Caplinger with my kids thinkin about limb lineing. This weekend were gonna have fun. Hope you like havein fun with kids. Im gonna be there with my kids catchin fish and haveing fun... Its my birthday too and I like catching fish and haveing a birthday too, and its Memorial weekend too, I love my people that has went on and the ones that are still here with use. Happy Memorial to all!!!!! and Happy birthday to me Huck loud and clear!!!! Huck

Happy bday Huck! Nothin like taking the kids fishing. On the circle hooks, they work great. I use them wen I surf fish for pompano an sharks. They set themselves and are very strong. They seem to hold bait better too.

[OzarkFishman]

Good luck Huck and have fun with your kids. I have a 3 year old and a 7 month old, so the fishing with the older one is just starting.

As for having fun with kids, I teach for a living so I get to do that daily.

Hope you enjoy your birthday,

OzarkFishman

PS - Fishinokie1, your signature matches my way of thinking exactly. With two boys, I have already informed my wife that there are going to be many days in the future that she gets to shop while I take the boys fishing (win, win if you ask me).

[Huckfinn]

I love watching my five year old son pull in fish, it is so funny but he gets it done he gets them in, but he does all this grunting and stuff. But he gets so excited and he starts laughing when he see's it break the surface, and then he starts talking to the fish when it is close, I cant wait until this weekend and a good size cat gets on his pole and It really makes him have to grunt and strain, he has'nt caught a bigger one yet he has caught small ones out of a pond. Daughter is 9 she is a pro... smokes dad some times. She is good and smooth and does'nt say a word Stealth like. Sorry guys just another PROUD dad. Huck