Catfish Tackle

[Mccallister25]

Im not sure where this is supposed to go. Here, or "other species", but anyway.. Im gonna do some catfishing this weekend. What are the ideal sizes for hooks, and line? Thanks!!

[CPBassFishing]

I slide a 1oz egg sinker onto 50lb braid, and then I tie a swivel on. Then I tie a 20lb mono leader on about 15" long then a 1/0 circle hook with some hot dog on it. Pretty basic rig but it works.

[Mccallister25]

10-4 CP. You come through for me once again!

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Pretty much the same thing. I'll use bream or bluegills for bait, 

[CPBassFishing]

10-4 CP. You come through for me once again!

haha I'm always happy to help.

[Bluebasser86]

Going to depend a lot one where you're planning on fishing and what kind/size fish you're most likely to encounter. In heavy current I'll use to to a pound of lead to hold my bait to the bottom and keep the leader very short to avoid line twist and hang ups. Usually in heavy current I'm fishing for big blues and will have a big piece of cutbait pinned to a 6/0 4X strong Mustad Beak hook and 80lb braid.

If you're looking for smaller channel cats in a lake or pond I actually prefer to use 20lb braid with a 1/0 or 2/0 kahle hook and a piece of cutbait with no weight, I just let the weight of the bait carry it to the bottom and will often retrieve it similar to how you fish a plastic worm for bass. This is a great technique in shallow water, around docks, and over grass.

Flatheads or blues in lakes get a similar set up as I use in rivers but I tend to prefer live bait because it increases my chances of not only catching a big blue or channel but also will get a big flatheads attention if there's any close by. 

[Bankbeater]

My set up is basically a c-rig.  I use a 1/2 or 3/4 oz. weight to keep the bait on the bottom, 2/0 hook, and keep about 12" to 18" of line from the hook to the weight.  If I am using a bobber, I will put on a 1/4 or 3/8 oz. weight.  Just heavy enough to keep the bait from floating back up to the surface.

[Hyrule Bass]

I use anywhere from 12 to 25lb mono for catfishing. a 1 to 3oz sinker and a 4/0 to 6/0 octopus hook. but for just an all around basic setup i would use 20lb mono, a 2oz slip sinker, and a 5/0 octopus hook. but the hook is usually dependent upon what bait im using. ill use a 2/0 baitholder for nightcrawlers. i put the slip sinker on the line, a bead or two, swivel, leader same as the main line, and the hook...

 

i hate circle hooks, they dont work for me at all, never caught a fish on one but once, and that was a white perch which didnt get hooked, he managed to suck the 4/0 circle hook in his mouth and it was too big for him to spit it out...