[tkwalker]

Originally Posted by JKTrevecca

Haven't been on here in a while. I hope you are all doing well! I've been fishing the Cumberland river in carthage tn about once a month and my last two trips have been frustrating to say the least. My landing to pull down ratio sucks! I am averaging about 1 fish landed to every 5-6 pull downs. I am using 2/0 or 4/0 octopus hooks. Many times I will get the rod out of the rod holder while the fish is pulling drag like a freight train. I am careful to maintain tension and prevent any slack but all of the sudden.... proof. The fish spits out the bait with no hook set or snags the bait off the hook. I am using primarily medium gizzards shad between 6 and 9 inches long. What am I doing wrong!? Do any of you use stinger hooks? What size and types of primary hooks are you using? I used to use only eagle claw l042s but switched to octopus hooks. Should I go back to l042s? Primarily fishing down lines recently. Please educate me! I swear I had a 40+ lbs on that i lost and don't ever want that to happen again.*

Grace and peace! Jason




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JK... Ralph Dallas Put me on these Hooks 35 years ago ... And yes I have tried the Circle hooks and many other designed hooks ... But the Eagle Claw 254 8/0 has never failed me on hook ups... I have used this hook for 90% of my Striper Guiding Career ... Especially in the Waters that you are targeting ... You will need this size especially when the 50 to 60 pounders are very possible .. But they work well for small schoolies as well and believe it or not I have used them with Threadfin shad as well.

I have always used Eagle Claw O'Shaunessey 8/0 ..#254 ... http://www.memphisnet.net/product/23...agle-claw-254g ... Ideal for the size Gizzards you are using .. as well as Trout and Skippies ... Always hook through the nostrils for your board baits and the Dorsal fin area for the free swimmers ... <'TK><