Crickets

What size hook and split shot work best when fishing with crickets for bluegill?

i use 6 and 8 most always on all baits for bluegill only time i use smaller is when using a small jig i have had good luck without them swallowing 6 or 8

also since spring is here try finding some small grasshoppers and use those they work great also best part they are free

hope this is of some kind of help

I use the Eagle Claw Aberdeen Cricket Hooks, a #8 or #10

if they swallow most of the hook, I can still get it out :)

http://www.catcherman.com/images/fea...had/step01.jpg

I use #6 hooks. Can't really say about teh size weight as I use what I see fit to use. Sometimes BB sometimes #7 splitshot Sometimes a mixture in between of weight sizes. All my ultralite rods have 4lb line

I cant catch a bad habbit with a cricket but, I saw a guy wear then out using looked like #6 hook and bb shot sported with slip bobber while they were on the bed.He made my favorite jig look like it was not even in the water.I use 4lb test also.

I use a #8 tru-turn with a bb shot and 3lb or 2lb test line.

The lighter I can reasonably make the rig, the bigger the fish seem to be.

Oscar

I use a #4 Eagle Claw Gold Aberdeen hook with a #1 or 2 split shot. The reason I use a larger hook is to prevent smaller bream taking the hook, but most times when I'm in the big boys, I don't have to worry. If I start catching smaller bream, I throw them in my live well for trotline/jugline bait for flatheads and blues. Why let good size, live bait go and you usually can get really good size bream for trotlines fishing for eating size ones. The 2 birds with one stone theory....I say!

I've never used crickets, or grasshoppers. How do you hook them? Thanks Doug

Doug,Im not the expert on this.When I tried them the fish almost alway's stole the bait when I hooked them straight through the side.When I try them again I will thread them on the hook.Someone in here will answer your question better than me Im sure.I would'nt think they have to be alive to trigger a bite either.Good luck

The other evening it seemed like if you hooked the cricket under the collar where it would live ,it would catch bigger Bream,but when theyre biting good I just thread em on.I have even frozen my crickets the day before and the fish dont seem to mind and you dont have to worry about em jumpin out youre hand.