Hi guys - been reading a lot on this forum re catf

[Vozzie]

Hi guys - been reading a lot on this forum re catfish and various bait presentations. I have 2 questions:

1\ Circel hooks - I understand when using these there is no need to strike as with a J hook. Basically the fish hooks itself? OK - so suddenly my line starts streaming off the reel - what do I do? Just pick up the rod and tighten the drag? or pull it up quickly (but slower than a strike?) and start reeling

2\I use steel traces (30 cm) when fishing for barbel - is braid better? Or is there no real difference when hunting the big cats? I use the self knot to tie the trace and the hook just clips onto the end (strong enough?)

Going to Bloemhof soon so the above questions while keeping in mind the size of cats in the river at Die Hoek?

Cheers all

 

[Fishpaste]

I find that with circle hooks you don’t strike but rather tighten up the drag so that it takes hold in the corner.
Personally would never use steel wire for barbel as it is not necessary just use a decent diameter mono as leader. Maybe a 0.6mm or so.

 

[Ant86]

1)Dont strike, just tighten the drag after the fish has had a good run and swallowed the bait ( I dont have a hard and fast rule, you will get  a feel for the timing after a few attempts)

2) No need to use steel , I use a short mono leader between .55 and .75 mm leader , either maxima or double x . On my ultralight cat setup ,8lb fireline, I use 20 lb braid leader so that I can put some effort into the cast without snappng off. The thinner diameter braid sails through the guides better for this purpose

 

[Wade 001]

Im no expert in Circle but iv been using them for sharks,rays and edibles and iv caught lots of fish on them, all you gotta do is, once the rod is in your hands, tighten the drag, let the fish pull your rod half way down and start reeling into the fish as much as possible and lift the rod at a medium pace and once you feel the hook is set, fight the fish, but always make sure the fish is swimming away before you set the hooks

 

[Enigma]

Tighten the drag or hold the spool to let the circle hook swivel and set the point. Once you feel the fish is on then bounce the rod at full tension to work the hook through

Use a 0.60-0.80mm nylon hookline which is much better than steel and definitely better than braid

 

[Vozzie]

Thank you alll - guess the best way is to practically try it and get a feel for it. Gonna have to sit on my hands to prevent me from jumping up and striking at the first sign of bite.
Will also look at the alternatives for steel traces - but know the river at Die Hoek has a lot of snags. Sure though the nylon will do just as good as the steel trace.

 

[TimJan]

Vozzie the biggest problem people have fishing for cats is they strike to quick.
Let the fish take your bait and swim away strongly before picking up that is on big baits like a head or filet.

With carp and the likes if it picks up your bait and swims it is 90% of the time already hooked but a cat will pick up your bait in its mouth and swim a little then drop the bait and chew on it before taking off. If you strike on the first run you will miss it most of the time.

My general rule is that I only strike on the 3rd run unless the first or second run is a strong constant run.

Steel trace is overkill like the rest said a thick mono will be 100% I use .80 of about 80cm it just helps when landing the fish.

I haven't used circles as yet but got myself a set recently and will be using them next time.

I am no expert but it has always worked for me.