Hook size, pogies for tuna

blackhullcharters · 07-22-2009, 08:36 AM

Been using 9/0 & 10/0 Gamakatsu live bait hooks feeding my pogies to these tuna.
But after going 0 for 2 the other day (including one large fish next to the boat) I'm rethinking on the hook size and going larger to 12/0, maybe Owner.
What are you guys using ?
Thanks

turbor2 · 07-22-2009, 10:41 AM

The same thing happened to me on Fri. I was using Owner 10.0 live bait hooks that day. I switched to 10's because of the bigger fish around. The week before I was using 8.0 Owner live bait hooks and I landed every fish that hit. I don't know if it was just bad luck. It sucks that you lost out on two as well. I may try some 12.0 circle hooks next time. Let me know how you make out.

crocker on cape · 07-22-2009, 11:28 AM

how are you hooking them?

turbor2 · 07-22-2009, 01:32 PM

In the mouth and out the nose.

Fortunamate · 07-22-2009, 04:51 PM

if i was you i would go through the nostrils or the back

blackhullcharters · 07-22-2009, 06:41 PM

I hook through the nostrils in front of the eyes.
You never want to hook through the mouth as the pogie will die quickly.
I may play around with making up tandem rigs. One (the front) hook through the nostrils and the 2nd through the top of the back.

hotreels jr · 07-22-2009, 08:56 PM

We went 2-2 on gammi livebait 10/0 hooks today. One was hooked deep one was in the corner. Hook it right through the back.

MACSON · 07-23-2009, 10:34 AM

I've been using 9's, hooked nostrils, in front of dorsal, and down by anal fin. Caught fish on all placements, hook always in corner of tuna mouth. Fish to 76".

I don't disagree with the larger hooks being better suited for larger fish, I have bought 10's, 11, 12's--kinda hard to get away from the 9's however if they are working.

AT Grimaldi · 07-23-2009, 11:35 AM

I have been using the Gama 11/0 live bait hook with blacked out crimps on 80# seagar fluorocarbon. No chafing gear, but flemish eyes on both ends.

with VERY little experience under my belt, I like this rig so far. We hook the bunker between the nostrils and the dorsal fin.

Trolled between 1.9 and 2.4 kts sog.

Just my $0.02

- ATG

MACSON · 07-23-2009, 12:14 PM

AT, if your system is working for you, excellent--don't change anything.

But, a couple of things you may want to consider. Leader to hook, a palomar instead of a crimp--easy enough to tie with 80lb. 80lb--lighter leaders are better for getting fish to bite than heavier leaders, but if you get into bigger fish you may want to consider going to heavier leaders. Heavier leaders make it more difficult to cinch up the palomar properly--about 150 seems to be the max for me to tie a reasonably good palomar.

Again though, if your catching and keeping, stay with what's working.

07-23-2009, 11:35 AM	#9
AT Grimaldi I practice safe fishing Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 71 Credits: 1,850.4	Gama 11/0 I have been using the Gama 11/0 live bait hook with blacked out crimps on 80# seagar fluorocarbon. No chafing gear, but flemish eyes on both ends. with VERY little experience under my belt, I like this rig so far. We hook the bunker between the nostrils and the dorsal fin. Trolled between 1.9 and 2.4 kts sog. Just my $0.02 - ATG

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07-22-2009, 10:41 AM	#2
turbor2 Master Baiter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Somers, CT Posts: 49 Credits: 1,363.3 Boat: Yellow 225 Aquasport Ospray (Nessesary Expense) Home Port: Weymouth,MA Best Catch: My Wife Occupation: Auto Instructor	The same thing happened to me on Fri. I was using Owner 10.0 live bait hooks that day. I switched to 10's because of the bigger fish around. The week before I was using 8.0 Owner live bait hooks and I landed every fish that hit. I don't know if it was just bad luck. It sucks that you lost out on two as well. I may try some 12.0 circle hooks next time. Let me know how you make out.

07-22-2009, 11:28 AM	#3
crocker on cape Got fish Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: on the water Posts: 193 Credits: 1,665.6 Boat: 22' grady white Home Port: oyster harbors Best Catch: #100 yft Occupation: looking for mate work	how are you hooking them?

07-22-2009, 01:32 PM	#4
turbor2 Master Baiter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Somers, CT Posts: 49 Credits: 1,363.3 Boat: Yellow 225 Aquasport Ospray (Nessesary Expense) Home Port: Weymouth,MA Best Catch: My Wife Occupation: Auto Instructor	In the mouth and out the nose.

07-22-2009, 04:51 PM	#5
Fortunamate Crab mustard is good Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: plymouth/scituate Posts: 634 Credits: 1,863.4 Boat: 32' Downeast Glen Holland "Fortuna" Home Port: Scituate Harbor Best Catch: all of them Occupation: school 1st mate and baitshop	if i was you i would go through the nostrils or the back

07-22-2009, 06:41 PM	#6
blackhullcharters My best friend has a 65 footer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ma. Posts: 61 Credits: 260.8 Boat: 28 Seaworthy (BHM) Home Port: Boston Ma. Best Catch: My wife & kids	I hook through the nostrils in front of the eyes. You never want to hook through the mouth as the pogie will die quickly. I may play around with making up tandem rigs. One (the front) hook through the nostrils and the 2nd through the top of the back.

07-22-2009, 08:56 PM	#7
hotreels jr Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mansfield,MA Posts: 315 Credits: 1,299.9 Boat: 30' rabco CC Home Port: green harbor/ryders cove Occupation: school/mate	We went 2-2 on gammi livebait 10/0 hooks today. One was hooked deep one was in the corner. Hook it right through the back.

07-23-2009, 10:34 AM	#8
MACSON Pit Monkey First Class Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 23 Credits: 160.1 Boat: MACSON 36' Dawson Express Home Port: Tern harbor Weymouth Best Catch: A rocket to 3B Little League	I've been using 9's, hooked nostrils, in front of dorsal, and down by anal fin. Caught fish on all placements, hook always in corner of tuna mouth. Fish to 76". I don't disagree with the larger hooks being better suited for larger fish, I have bought 10's, 11, 12's--kinda hard to get away from the 9's however if they are working.

07-23-2009, 12:14 PM	#10
MACSON Pit Monkey First Class Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 23 Credits: 160.1 Boat: MACSON 36' Dawson Express Home Port: Tern harbor Weymouth Best Catch: A rocket to 3B Little League	AT, if your system is working for you, excellent--don't change anything. But, a couple of things you may want to consider. Leader to hook, a palomar instead of a crimp--easy enough to tie with 80lb. 80lb--lighter leaders are better for getting fish to bite than heavier leaders, but if you get into bigger fish you may want to consider going to heavier leaders. Heavier leaders make it more difficult to cinch up the palomar properly--about 150 seems to be the max for me to tie a reasonably good palomar. Again though, if your catching and keeping, stay with what's working.