Redfish Hooks?

[gil1]

Heading to the beach in a few days. I fish this little brackish pond with reds up to about 15 lbs. Most are about 3-5 lbs. I use live croakers, mullet, menhaden, whatever is available.

I miss more fish than I think I should every year. Even if I let them swim around with it for more than 10 seconds, I sometimes jerk it away when setting the hook. Straight or circle, I still lose a lot. Yes, I know you don't set a circle hook.

I hook them 2/3 of the way back and about 1/3 down from the top or dorsal like a tarpon guide taught me years ago. I need to release these fish unharmed as the pond is small and overharvest would decimate this little honeyhole.

Any ideas on a hook or hooking method that would work better. Could hook size be my problem? Any recommendations?

I also catch 1-4 ft. sharks off the beach. Any thoughts on the right hook for these guys.

I can get over losing fish since I'm used to it , but I hate looking at my nephew and nieces' faces when they lose 'em because their uncle didn't rig it up correctly.

Thanks in advance.

 

[paincave_2000]

I usually use artificials when fishing for reds in shallow water but if I'm fishing with live baits then I use the Owner Aki Twist model# 5169-111 in 1/0,its probably overkill for redfish but on the jetties you never know whats going to swim by.

 

[JSassassin]

circle hooks are what to use, i have never lost one yet

 

[fishboy1]

Top bait for reds in small ponds is a 1/8oz jig with a gold swim tail. Just reel it in slow enough that it just ticks bottom once in a while. Spinner baits will work and a crank bait called a baby -1 is a killer in shallow water. Add in a couple Johnson silver minnows in gold.

Topwater is a lot of fun too. Spittin image, top dogs, zara spooks all will work.

Reds like to engulf a bait so use smallish mullet say 3-4". Hook through the top lip and out one nostril. The least amount of weight you can get away with. 1-2 split shot unless there is good current or the water is deeper than 4-5'. For hook size you want a hook with enough gap that there is plenty of room to stick the fish without your bait getting in the way. A 3 count should be plenty before setting the hook. Reds like to move and usually pick up your bait while cruising. Often they will be swimming toward you or across so you have to get the slack out of your line and set the hook hard and fast.

 

[Model70Man]

Hook the baitfish thru the very top of the eyes. That is the best place to hook them.

For sharks, I use an 8/0 circle hook on the surf. Make sure you have at least 3 ft of steel leader.

 

[stik]

i always hook live bait(fish) through the nostrils. predator fish prefer to take their prey head first.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

4/0 kahle hook for the reds on live bait. If you are using fish for live bait, hook them through the nose or eyes. if you are using shrimp, hook them through the last segment of the tail.

For the small sharks i use a circle hook, and let them eat it until the rods stays bent, they will mouth the bait for a long time before taking it. Sorry, but i can't remember the size on the circle hook. be sure to use a wire leader, and take several with you, they only last for a fish or two.

For the reds, use a Carolina rig, and for the sharks use a single drop bottom rig. For the carolina rig, a 1/2 ounce egg sinker should be plenty, and don't forget the glass bead, the clicking sound make when you move the bait will attract the fish. For the bottom rig, the surf conditions will dictate what size pyramid sinker to use. you want to be just big enough to hold the bait in place with the line tight.

You can also fish live bait or artificials under a popping cork.

 

[gil1]

Great info.
Unfortunately, I can't use artificials in the little pond. It is covered with oyster shells, and lures always get hung up. I can't really use any weight either. For some reason, the live bait seems to stay out of the shells and sort of swim above the snags.
Good shtuff, fellas.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

With all the snags, you need to use the popping corks. they work great. the sound drives the reds crazy.

 

[Model70Man]

We always used "lemon rigs". We would use the plastic lemon juice bottles and fill them with about 30 to 40 BB's. Stick a line inside the hole and then put the cap on tightly. Then tie the line to a 3 way swivel. When you pop the line the BB's put out more sound.

 

[fishboy1]

Great info.
Unfortunately, I can't use artificials in the little pond. It is covered with oyster shells, and lures always get hung up. I can't really use any weight either. For some reason, the live bait seems to stay out of the shells and sort of swim above the snags.
Good shtuff, fellas.

Gold Johnson silver minnow. Add a yellow twisty tail grub to the hook and it will help keep it running nose up. Reds hammer them.

We had a pond just like that we used to fish. Jigs worked best once we figured out how to fish them over the oysters. If you only have a little time and some rookie fishers with you, Live bait is great. Don't pass up a silver dollar size crab or break a larger one in half. Reds will walk on land to eat a crab.

You want a Strong hook that is large enough to have plenty of "gap" without weighing down the bait too much. Keep em lively as the reds will pass up a weak or dead bait to hammer a frisky panicking bait.

Popping corks are good too. Check out the Cajun Thunder. Sometimes the reds will hammer the cork instead of your bait though. When that happens, switch to a noisy topwater bait.
For some reason, I have never had much luck with a Chug Bug but most of the Top Dog line works great.

Good luck and have fun. Don't forget your thermacell.

Oh, one last thing. Moving water is your friend. Fish the tides, and don't be afraid to fish a live bait or jig around the run outs for flounder as well.