How to Choose the Correct Catfish Hooks to Get the Job Done

The catfish has been a highly popular fish for many years because it offers the fisherman so much, including a great fight, which can become a fascinating tale you can tell your friends and family.

The fact is that many of the greatest fishing stories revolve around the great catfish because of the gigantic size these fish can reach. Catfish make the perfect trophy for any angler looking for that one great catch simply because these fish can reach unbelievable sizes. 

Catfish are also highly appreciated for their succulent, tasty meat and some fish aficionados believing it is the best tasting fish in the world. And the truth is, if prepared properly, the catfish truly is a delicacy. There are so many catfish recipes online that you could never possibly try them all, but you will definitely find at least a couple you'll really enjoy.

Catching Your Catfish

Catching a catfish, like with any fish, is a matter of having the right equipment. While the rod and the reel are essential, the hook is just as critical. Unfortunately, many anglers don't give the hook the level of thought and respect it deserves, which often leads to disastrous results. While the hook is a small piece of equipment, the fact is that size doesn't matter in this case because it's just as vital to your success as any other piece of equipment. 

Choosing the correct hook for catfish fishing is a matter of being aware of what the different types of hooks are. There are quite a few types of hooks that have been designed specifically for catching catfish, and they are:

1. · The Octopus Hook;
2. · The Octopus Assortment Pack Hook;
3. · The Octopus 4xStrong Hook
4. · The Octopus Circle Hook
5. · The Octopus Circle Hook 4xStrong
6. · The Treble Hook
7. · The Shiner Hook
8. · The Baitholder Hook
9. · The Texas Bend Circle Hook
10. · The Nautilus Circle Hook

Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Hook

There are certain factors you need to take into account when selecting a hook. First of all, you need to think about how big the fish you want to catch is. Clearly, you will need a larger hook for a bigger catfish. If the hook isn't big enough, the bait won't be large enough for the catfish to take any notice. Even if the catfish does decide to take the bait, a small hook won't be able to catch a large fish. 

On the other hand, if your hook is too big, it's quite likely the catfish won't be able to take the bait, meaning a lost opportunity. Obviously, in this case size does matter and should be one of the first factors you consider. 

The bait will also have an impact on the size of the hook you will be using. The idea is for the hook to be large enough for you to easily secure the bait but not so large that the catfish sees it. The short shank hook is preferred by many anglers for the very reason as they will hold the bait firmly but can easily be disguised.

The particular type of catfish you are pursuing will also impact your choice of hook. Decide whether you'll be going after channel catfish, white catfish, bullhead catfish, blue catfish or flathead catfish because the type of hook you choose will depend on the type of fish since some are more effective with some species than others. There's no hard and fast rule and, sometimes, you might have to rely on trial and error to discover which one works best. 

Another factor that will determine the best type of hook is the line you will be using. For heavy line, for example, heavy-duty hooks are a requirement because using a smaller hook can lead to the hook straightening out instead of hooking the fish. Of course, the result would be losing the fish altogether, which is why you need to make sure the size of your hook matches the rest of your equipment.

Do you plan on releasing the catfish or not? This is an important question because it will play a role in the type of hook you choose. For example, if you plan on releasing the catfish back into the water, then you probably should avoid barbed hooks because they make it so much harder to unhook the fish. You're better off using circle hooks or barbless hooks in this situation. 

Another factor you need to take into consideration when deciding on the best type of hook to use to get your catfish is what state the hook is in. The last thing you need is a rusted or corroded hook. And if the hook is dull, it ill never be able to hook a large catfish. Furthermore, hooks in poor condition could break and you could lose that catfish you've been struggling to catch, which would be extremely frustrating. So, you need to make sure that you are using hooks that are in excellent condition and very, very sharp.