I am wondering about hook choices for trotlines/limbline.  Last year I lost a couple of nice cats that still burn me and want to optimize my chances this year.  My current trotline setup is a black mainline with short drops to large barrel swivels which drop 12" to my 8/0 eagle claw j-hook. I normally use 5"-7" green sunfish, black bullheads, and creek chubs.  I normally have my lines in the water and baited before the sun sets and check and rebait around midnight.  I have made a few purchases that SHOULD help such as a depth finder, large landing net, and a hook sharpener.  I live in east central Kansas and run lines on a small river.  What I am looking for is advice on: hooks, bait, time to run, and general tips to help.

Just like Bowhunter said .. I would change the J hooks to 7/0 or 8/0 circle hooks. Check the lines at sunset and about 2 hours after daylight if possible..Hope this helps you.

Unbelievable,,,somebody actually reads something I jot down  If you bait is gonna be on the bottom, by all means hook it at the tail end of the anal fin,,,not in anus---ouch---that would make me wiggle I gotta give that deep thinker Katman credit for that one, with the weight of the hook being on the bottom of the bait it helps keep the bait in an upright position and it will live longer and wiggle better.  But if your baits are gonna be suspended off the bottom then hook it thru the top fin near the tail,,same reasoning.  Good luck with that trotline and post a picture of the biggens.