What Size Hook For the Beginning Catfish Angler
What size hook you should use depends basically on what size fish you want to catch. The size breakdown from smallest to largest looks like this:
I haven’t really told you what to use yet. There are so many choices as those above are just the sizes. There are also several different types depending on the bait you use, the water conditions and the setup of your rig.
If you are just starting catfish fishing I would suggest a number 2 to 1/0 bait holder. They are good for the smaller catfish and can still catch the big ones. This gives you much more opportunity than the larger hooks. Once you have become a better angler you can move up in size.
Also after you get used to using a regular hook, you can go fancy with a treble hook (three pronged hook) or a circle hook. These are popular ways of catching cats, and they make it easier to put the bait on there. Circle hooks are good for catching big cats, because they’re bigger and heavier.
How to Tie a Fishing Line Knot
The average angler needs perhaps no more than three or four basic knots, but the knot can make all the difference between boating a big fish, or losing it. I suggest that you select only those few knots that are of the greatest use to you, and practice, practice, practice tying them until they become second nature to you. It is most important that you use knots that can be tied in an easily remembered manner. There is little point using a knot that can only be tied by reference to a book.
Knots For Attaching Hooks & Lures
There are many good knots for attaching hooks. Here are some I can recommend.
Joining Line To Line
There are two top grade knots used to join one line to another, where these are approximately of the same thickness. These are the Blood Knot and the Hangman’s Knot – also called the Uni Knot by the International Game Fish Association.
When the diameters are very dissimilar, either the Surgeon’s Knot should be used, or the thinner line
should be doubled where the knot is formed.
Knots For Making Loops
Loops are made for the purpose of attaching leaders, traces or other terminal tackle.
Float Stop
Here’s a knot for making a float stop on your line.