Fishing Frenzy

Hooks are one of the most important pieces of tackle which any angler possesses. Without them, it is, of course, impossible to catch any fish at all. What follows is a brief run-down of the kind of catfish hooks which are most commonly used by anglers to catch this kind of fish.

One of the most familiar types of hook, which most anglers will recognise, is the basic J hook, named for its similarity in shape to the letter 'J'. This hook is used in all kinds of angling, not just in the pursuit of catfish. Appropriate for both cut baits and live baits, this hook ranges in size from minute to massive.

This kind of hook sometimes has an offset eye, but not always, and can feature a wide or narrow gap. Setting the hook is always a good idea with this type of hook, as otherwise catfish can throw the hook and get away. No one wants to see their effort wasted like that.

The Kahle hook is another kind of hook which is frequently used by catfishermen. This kind looks quite similar to the J hook, but has a bend which is twisted out at an angle from the main body of the hook. This feature makes large dead baits easier to attach, but can also lead to missed fish if live baits are the favoured method, as the hook tip can become hidden in the bait.

One type of hook which is becoming increasingly popular with catfisherman is the circle hook. This kind of hook has been very popular with sea fisherman, especially those who are hunting large trophy fish. This type of hook has a design which means that it can only hook onto an exposed surface, which will usually be the fish's mouth.

This design feature of the circle hook makes it much less likely that the fish will be gut hooked, as the bait can be swallowed safely by the fish before the fisherman reels it into the fish's mouth. This type of hook works well with both cut and live baits. Examples of baits which work well alongside this hook include liver and worms.

Other kinds of catfish hooks are available for anglers, including things like the treble hook. The three detailed above form a good mix for newcomers to the activity though. For more specialised, local advice, a conversation with an experienced angler is always the best thing to do.