Good times!

[Redman9603]

Finally got to take my son out for some night fishing. We went to North Park lake and had a fun time. Only caught a handful of 12” bullheads, but it was a very nice evening! May have enjoyed yelling at kayaks/paddle boards as much as fishing!!

 

[Don]

I'm hoping to hit the Nock this evening until 10 or 11. keeping an eye on the weather. Those last photos you posted last week...were they taken below conowingo dam?

 

[Solitario Lupo]

Glad to hear it. Where’s the pics? Lol. North park is too much of a zoo for me. Those dang people in the yaks and paddle boards drive me crazy. Got the hole lake and they see me fishing and come right for me. Always fun yelling at them go somewhere else you got the whole lake.

 

[Redman9603]

Glad to hear it. Where’s the pics? Lol. North park is too much of a zoo for me. Those dang people in the yaks and paddle boards drive me crazy. Got the hole lake and they see me fishing and come right for me. Always fun yelling at them go somewhere else you got the whole lake.

We took pics but they didnt show up very well being that they were pretty small!!! We fed a decent sized snapper that hung around for the whole evening! He loved the tilapia chunks we were catching the bullheads on!

 

[Redman9603]

We caught small bullheads but many swallowed the hook. What should we do go bigger hook? Bigger bait? Circle hooks? Let me know your thoughts.

 

[HenryDavid]

We caught small bullheads but many swallowed the hook. What should we do go bigger hook? Bigger bait? Circle hooks? Let me know your thoughts.

I've used circle hooks for channel catfish and had good jaw hook-ups.

 

[Don]

I've used circle hooks for channel catfish and had good jaw hook-ups.

Yes I switched to Circles. I had to buy them for stripers at Spruce Run in Jersey. I use 1/0 up to 6/0 for chunks or Gill heads. .

 

[Redman9603]

Thank you both for the info! Any brands that are preferred?

 

[Melvinp]

Gamakatsu

 

[Blackcat Outdoors]

Gamakatsu

Seconded for any hooks

 

[Blackcat Outdoors]

I use circle hooks for bait in the surf, not much of a cat fisherman. I imagine it would be the same principle though, bait above a sinker.

 

[Solitario Lupo]

Honestly think that circle hook still are going to get swallowed. I tried that method and still they got deep hooked.

For this i found that bigger hooks with longer shank help the best. If you file the bard off you can still grab shank of hook and get it out. Or when they grab it the shank still won't get swallowed that easy.

 

[Blackcat Outdoors]

Invest in some blackening seasoning and a cast iron skillet. Let me know the next time a few swallow the hook and I'll bring the beer.

 

[Redman9603]

Sounds like a plan!

 

[Don]

Circle Hooks are mandated for New Jersey's Hybrid Stipers. Additionally the hooks must be non-offset as well. This gives the greatest chance of a side mouth hookup. Since switching to this style I've not had a fish swallow a hook nor get a hook stuck in the gills or esophagus (or whatever it is called).
On the other hand I still sometimes use 3/0 offset baitholder hooks. They're in some cases very harmful to fish...hard to remove, they hook where you don't want them to.
I've seen a great difference on Bass and especially on Channel Cats.
Not sure how they would work on Pike, Muskie and Pickerel. I almost feel like they would pull right out figuring the way their jaws are built.

 

[Redman9603]

Went to Indian lake and had fun with some carp! Corn and doughball on circle hooks! Only downside was that there aren’t any kayakers to yell at!!!

 

[Don]

hahaha

 

[Solitario Lupo]

Looks like it was a good time. No yakers my kinda lake.

 

[Redman9603]

It’s not big but loaded with carp. Had a local tell us that there are some bruisers in there. It gets stocked with trout also. Hope to try it again next week.

 

[Solitario Lupo]

Might have to check it out if I ever get time.