Cricket Hook Help - Please

[Spankey]

Guys just throwing this out there for a little help. 

 

This summer I’ve been enjoying taking the two grandsons to the lake. I’ve been trying to run a full guide service with them while we are out.  I really don’t get any fishing in. And I’m fine with that. They’ve been catching a lot of fish. They have fished various live and lure baits. We have not tried crickets yet. We are going to this next outing. 

 

I’m throwing it out there for recommendations for the proper hooks. I remember as a kid we use to use long shank Gold Aberdeen hooks. I have no idea why I was using them. Could not tell you if they were a #6 or #10 or any size in between. I do know that I don’t have the correct hooks to do it today. Any thought are greatly appreciated. 

[Team9nine]

Don’t think anything has changed. Still a long shanked Aberdeen, gold or bronze, and small in size. The long shank, sometimes even referred to specifically as a “cricket hook,” I believe was to help prevent a bluegill from swallowing the hook to the point where you can’t easily remove it from the fish. Long shanks usually leave some part near the eye to grab onto outside the mouth.

[Spankey]

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

Don’t think anything has changed. Still a long shanked Aberdeen, gold or bronze, and small in size. The long shank, sometimes even referred to specifically as a “cricket hook,” I believe was to help prevent a bluegill from swallowing the hook to the point where you can’t easily remove it from the fish. Long shanks usually leave some part near the eye to grab onto outside the mouth.

That's it. Has been 50 years since those days and yes it was always easy to remove the hook. A number 12 or 10 trout bait hook gets swallowed and we were always having to retie. I remember this farmer we worked for as kids that took us trout fishing a lot picked us up some Aberdeen hooks. I remember them coming in a small can and the metal lid slid off and on. Wish I had one of those cans today. Thanks.   

[J Francho]

Sounds like fun!  Post up some pics.

[Ratherbfishing]

Long-shank number 6 or 8 hooks are about right.  I don't suggest Aberdeen hooks as they flex too much and you want some stiffness in the shank so you can back the barb out of a flesh without the hook flexing.  A pair of needle nose pliers or forceps is a must.

[Spankey]

49 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Sounds like fun!  Post up some pics.

Will do. I’ll have the out in a week or so. 

[Spankey]

Guys thanks for the Cricket Hook suggestions. Worked out great. Not much surgical work went on yesterday with hook removal. 

 

The Aberdeen and extended shank hooks worked perfect. They were using a combination of hooks. They have been fishing giant meal worms, dug worms and crickets. 

 

The oldest had on one heck of a bass at the edge of Lilly Pads. It was a black silhouette in the water that took a cricket. 3 or 4 head thrashes all but straightened out the light wire hook and he was gone. All is good though. They want to go back for him. So don’t I because he’s in a spot I’ve the hooking up some fish. 

 

That style hook works well with all live baits. They want minnows for next trip. We can trap them in the creek below the house. 

 

They have a good time. I have a good time with them. I can’t and don’t get any fishing in with them. Try to just be a guide. I’m gonna try to attach some pics.