1 minute ago, roadwarrior said:

Yes

Cool thanks. 4/0 the same as a #4? The plain 4 is out of stock. Is that big enough?

2 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Cool thanks. 4/0 the same as a #4? The plain 4 is out of stock. Is that big enough?

Uhhh - no. 4/0 is HUGE compared to a #4. Pic below - 4/0 is larger than the 2/0

 

No.  4/0 is gigantic. Get #6 or #8

 

Hook sizes are odd:   /0 get bigger, standards get smaller, i.e. #6 is smaller than #4; 6/0 is MUCH BIGGER

than 4/0

2 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

No.  4/0 is gigantic. Get #6 or #8

 

Hook sizes are odd:   /0 get bigger, standards get smaller, i.e. #6 is smaller than #4; 6/0 is MUCH BIGGER

than 4/0

Got it. For standards go w a 4 tho? I’m going to get whichever ships fastest. What’s the diff between standard and /0?

5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Uhhh - no. 4/0 is HUGE compared to a #4. Pic below - 4/0 is larger than the 2/0

 

Cool, thx for the visual. I’ve been using a 6 baitholder, what do you recommend for little creek smallies?

I've had smallmouth swallow a circle hook on me though I was using leeches and not minnows.  Still I find the circle hook better for catch and release.  Bobber fishing, make sure you reel it in quickly.

 

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Got it. For standards go w a 4 tho? I’m going to get whichever ships fastest. What’s the diff between standard and /0?

#/0 - as the number gets bigger the hook gets bigger.

# - as the number gets bigger, the hook gets smaller.

Another reference pic - this really shows the difference between a #4 and a 4/0

 

 

8 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Cool, thx for the visual. I’ve been using a 6 baitholder, what do you recommend for little creek smallies?

Only thing I use baitholder hooks for is worms.

 

Depends on the average size of the smallies - I'd go with #6 to #2 based on that.

32 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Cool. Is this what I want? https://www.amazon.com/Gamakatsu-伽玛卡兹-Octopus-Hook-Pack/dp/B07V4GB39P

The hook in this link is NOT a circle hook.

8 minutes ago, looking45 said:

The hook in this link is NOT a circle hook.

Yeah just realized that, found them though.

17 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

#/0 - as the number gets bigger the hook gets bigger.

# - as the number gets bigger, the hook gets smaller.

Another reference pic - this really shows the difference between a #4 and a 4/0

 

 

Only thing I use baitholder hooks for is worms.

 

Depends on the average size of the smallies - I'd go with #6 to #2 based on that.

Is there any time a 4 would be better than a 6? I’m using some pretty fat shiners but the fish I catch tend to hover around 10-15”

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Is there any time a 4 would be better than a 6? I’m using some pretty fat shiners but the fish I catch tend to hover around 10-15”

In that case, size of the bait determines size of the hook. Fat shiners, use the #4 or even a #2 if they're really chubby.

10 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Yeah just realized that, found them though.

Is there any time a 4 would be better than a 6? I’m using some pretty fat shiners but the fish I catch tend to hover around 10-15”

If you want to try some #6 circle hooks before you buy any, give me your contact info and Ill send you some.

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

And switch to a Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook #4 or #6. You DO NOT set the hook, you simply lift

your rod and reel. 95% of the time the hook will lodge in the side of the mouth. No more gut-hooked

fish!

 

Yes Yes Yes.

 

9 minutes ago, looking45 said:

If you want to try some #6 circle hooks before you buy any, give me your contact info and Ill send you some.

Thanks, I actually found some at the Dicks near me I’m just gonna go grab them tomorrow. I appreciate that though man!

17 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

In that case, size of the bait determines size of the hook. Fat shiners, use the #4 or even a #2 if they're really chubby.

Wait wouldn’t I want a bigger hook for bigger bait?

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

Wait wouldn’t I want a bigger hook for bigger bait?

Remember - single number without the '/0'...smaller number=larger hook.  Refer to the pics I posted...a #2 is larger than a #4.

5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Remember - single number without the '/0'...smaller number=larger hook.  Refer to the pics I posted...a #2 is larger than a #4.

Ah yeah duh sorry I’m getting hazy my brain is shutting down for the day lol been a long one ?

6 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Remember - single number without the '/0'...smaller number=larger hook.  Refer to the pics I posted...a #2 is larger than a #4.

Would a 6 still work just as well for the fat ones? I only ask because I’ve got a mix of small and big ones.

2 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Would a 6 still work just as well for the fat ones? I only ask because I’ve got a mix of small and big ones.

The question there is "is the hook point and barb clear of the minnow?" If not, then then chance of hooking the fish goes way down. Have to experiment to see.

7 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

The question there is "is the hook point and barb clear of the minnow?" If not, then then chance of hooking the fish goes way down. Have to experiment to see.

Not to be difficult, but what if I enjoy the action of setting the hook? Is mosquito best for this?

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

Not to be difficult, but what if I enjoy the action of setting the hook? Is mosquito best for this?

Dunno - live bait I only use Aberdeen (worms, leeches) or Octopus hooks (minnow)

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Dunno - live bait I only use Aberdeen (worms, leeches) or Octopus hooks (minnow)

And you use octopus circle or reg octopus?

7 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

And you use octopus circle or reg octopus?

Regular.

Just now, MN Fisher said:

Regular.

That’s cool, you find the circle don’t work as well?

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

That’s cool, you find the circle don’t work as well?

If the hook is just large enough for the minnow, then the point is a bit too close to the minnow for a good hook-set. The regular octopus puts just a bit more gap between the point and the minnow...it can make all the difference. Only other suggestion is if you're using circle hooks, make it a size larger than you think you need - #2 instead of #4 or #4 instead of #6.

8 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

If the hook is just large enough for the minnow, then the point is a bit too close to the minnow for a good hook-set. The regular octopus puts just a bit more gap between the point and the minnow...it can make all the difference. Only other suggestion is if you're using circle hooks, make it a size larger than you think you need - #2 instead of #4 or #4 instead of #6.

Got it. So w reg octopus, you do set the hook unlike circle?

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

Got it. So w reg octopus, you do set the hook unlike circle?

Doesn't need a hard-set. A sweep will usually do it...long as it's a good, sharp hook.

Forget Thill bobbers. Way over priced. If you don't need a slip bobber, the Rocket Bobber is the last bobber you will ever need.

Didn’t read everything so I’m not sure if this was already mentioned, but most people set the hook too fast with live bait.

 

At 2 Mississippi reel tight to the fish, at 3 Mississippi sweep the rod.