I LOVE FISHING WITH BIG CHUBS. WHAT HOOKS ARE THE BEST TO USE?

[Frank Ribble]

BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH FISH NOT GETTING HOOKED UP GOOD. TRIED SMALLER CHUBS. HAD PROBLEM WITH ONE HOOK GETTING BENT AT A 30 DEGREE ANGLE AT THE SHAFT.

[Allen Morgan]

What type and size hooks are you using?  What are you fishing for?  How are you hooking the chubs?

[Frank Ribble]

I AM FISHING FOR BASS, NORTHERN PIKE, & MAYBE CATFISH, USUALLY WITH A FLOAT, SOMETIMES WITH A SINKER & I USUALLY USE  A STEEL LEADER. I HOOK THE CHUB BELOW THE DORSAL FIN. I HAVE USED TREBLE HOOKS, 2/0 WORM HOOKS, 5/0 GAMAGATSU BAIT HOOKS, AND 4/0 OCTOPUS HOOKS. SOME CHUBS ARE 6" PLUS. IS THAT TOO BIG?

[Allen Morgan]

I've only fished with chubs once, last Fall when I caught a couple in my cast net.  I was using Gamakatsu size 8 Octopus Circle hooks.  Those were just a hair to small.  I've got some size 4 hooks, same brand/make/model, that will definitely work for me.

You might want to try a size 2 Eagle Claw baitholder.

I usually hook my bait through the eye sockets (with rupturing their eyes, if I can), so they can still see and thrash when a predator comes near.

You say you've used trebles.  Have you tried a Quick-strike rig with dual trebles?  This is deadly effective with Pike.

For cats, I would go with the size 2 baitholder, or if you prefer, some 3/0 circle hooks.  Just cut the chubs into chunks and hook a piece of the bait.

[Frank Ribble]

THANKS, I WILL TRY USING CUT BAIT FOR BULLHEAD TOO.