What size/make hook for east coast small bills

[captnemo]

I am 0 for 4 on my last 4 bills, and I am starting to wonder about the hooks. They are all our small east coast whites and sails, 2 whites and 2 sails. I am using 6/0 gamagatsu circles. Could they be too small? I know they're plenty sharp, I use new hooks every time out, bridle rigged and swim rigged.

What size are you all using on your nakeds?

[pitch bait]

I use a 7/0 Mustad on my small ballys and and 8/0 Mustad on my medium ballys. My hooks are snelled and back through the eye. Tell me more about what you are doing once you know the fish is back there.

[Bert Rodgers]

We use 8/0 Eagle Claws or VMCs.

Bert

[captnemo]

Originally Posted by pitch bait

I use a 7/0 Mustad on my small ballys and and 8/0 Mustad on my medium ballys. My hooks are snelled and back through the eye. Tell me more about what you are doing once you know the fish is back there.

The last one came up on the squid chain left teaser reel, he was swatting at the squids when I dropped back the left flat which was a medium ballyhoo with a small ilander, he took it right away and I free spooled, pointing the rod at him and he just plain dropped it. Next he hit the left long, which was also medium ballyhoo with small ilander, he popped the clip on that one, I free spooled back to him, he picked it up made one jump and spit it. I also had the other guys drop back the 2 naked pitch baits and he didn't touch them.

I have several very similar situations.

[Bert Rodgers]

Originally Posted by captnemo

The last one came up on the squid chain left teaser reel, he was swatting at the squids when I dropped back the left flat which was a medium ballyhoo with a small ilander, he took it right away and I free spooled, pointing the rod at him and he just plain dropped it. Next he hit the left long, which was also medium ballyhoo with small ilander, he popped the clip on that one, I free spooled back to him, he picked it up made one jump and spit it. I also had the other guys drop back the 2 naked pitch baits and he didn't touch them.

I have several very similar situations.

Whitey loves an Islander/bally combo. Unfortunately ishanders and seawitches tend to ge spit out quickly.
When targeting whites if you want to add color use small octopus skirts (pink or green).

Bert

[ejfra]

If you're targeting small bills, lose the skirts, especially on a pitch bait teaser bite

[pitch bait]

Im not sure about the Gamagatsu hook that you are using but most of the ones that I have seen have are made from pretty heavy wire. It takes more drag pressure to drive these type hooks through the fishes jaw bone. I like to use a light wire hook. For the most part Im using at most 6lbs of drag so im not concerned with straightening a hook. How are you riging your Islander with your circle hook? Also when you are done feeding the fish you wanrt to very slowly push the drag up to strike and let the rod bend and the pressure of the rod combined with the drag of the line in the water and the drag on the reel set the hook. Do not set the hook like you are flounder fishing.

[JonnyD]

We use eagle claw circles. You may want to go up a size or two.

[captnemo]

Originally Posted by ejfra

If you're targeting small bills, lose the skirts, especially on a pitch bait teaser bite

pitch bait bally's are always naked bridle rigged circles, no skirts on those

[JRJBfishing]

I have had problems with the gamakatsu hooks... Lots of thrown hooks and lost fish after the hook-up. I switched over to Owners and have had a lot more luck with these hooks so far..

I can't remember the model # but can get it for you if you like??

I would go up to a 7-9/0 hook..

JRJB