gamma 8/0 here

I had one eagle claw on SAT and sure enough the big one hit and took off and I missed it. A friend told me they dont have enough offset... I didnt think it mattered I am now a believer!!!!

Check this  link you can zoom in on the hooks and have a close up look.




http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.SearchResults?hvarSearchString=Gamakatsu&hvarAID=google&cm_mmc=Google_AdWords-_-Brands_Fishing+-+Gamakatsu-_-broad+match+search+612372745-_-gamakatsu%7C-%7C100000000000000004202



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Mostly I use the Octopus Hooks in the 4/0 - 8/0 range, but after all the  reading I have done on this site and info I have gained from some of the members, I am going to be using almost 100% circle hooks this year...and bigger ones at that. I am not of big fan of Eagle Claw hooks, simply because back when I was a carp fisherman, I had a couple of them break right at the bend....so for catfishing, I have been a little more careful.

Most of the places I fish have cats usually under 30 inches. I use a size 2- 4 or 6. The reqason I use a small hook is that I miss less this way since the smaller hooks penatrate much easier. My 34 inch  channel 20# I caught on a size 6 hook.I also caught 3  over 26 inches also on a size six bait holder hook all on leeches and nightcrawlers. I guess if I uses a  larger bait like a 8 inch chub I would use a much bigger hook. Big fish do hit small baits also.

I use Eagle claw nickel plated kahle hooks from 5/0 - 7/0 and eagle claw black king kahles from 8/0 - 10/0 then match the bait size to the hook size. I've caught 20+ pounders on all of them with my biggest blue of 43 lbs. caught on the 7/0. Never had any trouble with any of them and they are sharp right out of the box. I've caught 2 lber's on the 10/0's and they don't have any trouble getting them in their mouth.
 Another hook I keep in the box is Eagle claw 7/0 circles. I have an older cousin that is in his 80's and when he goes with me I will put them on his poles because he doesn't jerk he just picks up his poles and starts reeling. He will have a better hook up ratio with them. I still hate them but if used right and baited properly they are an excellent hook.
 I also use #4 through 2/0 trebble hooks when I'm using the fish locator I Mean Danny King's punch bait :lol: . Most of the time I use the 2/0 with a ball of dk's about the size of a golf ball.

Thats a heck of a deal Grumpy 8)