Hooks

[Frank]

Hey. I just found this group a few weeks ago and really enjoy reading about your fishing trips and techniques.

I'm new to salt water fishing and am just beginning to learn flats fishing. When dropping a pin fish from a CT, do you guys prefer circle or straight hooks? What size hook? And how do you prefer hooking the pin fish?

I've been using a 2/0 circle hook most of the time and have done okay, but still have a hard time hooking up using the pin fish.

Thanks for you help!

Frank

[Tom Keels]

2/0 is too small in my opinion. I prefer a 4/0 or 5/0 Khale style hook. Sort of a compromise between a J and a circle hook.

If I'm drifting I hook up through the lips out the nose. If I'm casting and popping, I hook them through the fromt of the eye sockets. If anchored, I hook them through the back or the anal fin so they swim away from the boat.

[Ken K]

I have had good luck with Kahle hooks also. The trouble with recommending a particular size is that, different manufacturers sizes vary.

If the bait fills up the gap in the hook you are not going to catch many fish. The hook size depends more on the bait size than the size of the fish you are targeting.

If in doubt, do what Tom said and just get whatever 4/0 or 5/0 Kahle hooks they have at Wal Mart.

[Chalk]

No circle hooks ....I just won't fish no more if I can't get a J hook....And yes I have tried them, I might eat crow one day, when I can't set the hook no more, but for now, I'm setting the steel to them baby....

I prefer a 4/0 - 3/0 live bait hook - Owner or Gamakatsu are my preference

[dstockwell]

Last time out I tried 2.0 circles for the pins, did not find any trout but the couple sharks we caught had no problem drinving that 2.0 in the corner of the mouth. Just remember not to try to drive home that steel. or it may come flying back at yea.

[Frank]

Thanks for the info regarding hooks. I hope the fishing heats up by next weekend!

Frank

[CSMarine]

Frank, I've used a lot of different hooks with Pinfish. I'm sold on 4/0 Live Bait hooks by Gamakatsu. They are short shanked and extremly thick. They hide very good in a Pinfish, but stick like crazy. They don't rust as bad as the Kahle hooks, and stay sharp. Grew up using Kahles for trout, but now I'm sold on the Gamakatsu.
I always hook the Pinfish on the dorsal just behind the head. No matter if I'm drifting or setting still.