Reply With QuotePut a split shot close enough to the hook that they when they take the hook........ the split shot stops them from getting it in their gut.
I use #2 and #4. You can catch a big fish on a little hook but you can't catch a little fish on a big hook.
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Trophy King
Hooks
What size hooks does everyone use? Last night the majority of the fish swallowed the hooks, maybe I'm too slow on setting the hook. I'm trying to prevent them from swallowing the hooks.
Crappie Wall Hanger
Put a split shot close enough to the hook that they when they take the hook........ the split shot stops them from getting it in their gut.
I use #2 and #4. You can catch a big fish on a little hook but you can't catch a little fish on a big hook.
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Lately I've been using a size 6 of the Mr Crappie turning hooks when using a slipcork. I still have some swallowed but not sure if it is better or worse than larger hook. I'm going to try them this winter when I switch to spider rigging to see how they work vs the bigger hooks. I switched to smaller ones as my mnnows weren't doing as well in the hot water so I guessed it may allow them to swim better. It did seem to increase the number of bites. Historically I've used a # 2 hook.
Slabmaster II
Just a thought,you may be a little to deep and it is right in their face. Try 6 inches shallower and se what happens.
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Since you are fishing for suspended fish are you using corks or just fishing straight down. This time of year based on the behavior of my corks, it seems like the fish will do a lot of taking the bait in very slow and playing with it or not moving after taking the bait. I can see these using a cork but doubt I'd notice it without one. Sometimes the cork will barely shift its angle or even seem to be floating higher than normal. If the cork just goes straight down immediately more often its a perch, catfish or bass.
Crappie Wall Hanger
Swallowed hooks are hard to prevent all together. use really light tackle and be very vigilant - either that, or use jigs... they don't usually taste very good..... Even with jigs, though - sometimes they just really hawngry and suck it halfway down before I can get the hook set.
Unless I'm keep fish for the cooler, I usually just cut the line as close as I can and let 'em swim. Not sure how many make a full recovery, but at least they're not floating belly-up around the boat.
Trophy King
I've been fishing straight down. I bought a set of spider rigs I just leave the poles in them. I noticed the other night, I've started to watch the line instead of the tips of the poles. The ones I've noticed the line moving around a lot seem to get caught in the mouth.
Crappie Wall Hanger
That's true - line moving slowly sideways is a tell-tale sign of crappie bite.
Crappie.com 1K Star General
When I use minnows I use #4 circle hooks. I don't miss fish because of the hook and always hook in corner of mouth. Don't jerk circle hooks, just pull.
