3/0 4/0 5/0 Hooks For Blackfish?

[MrAC1980]

So after the 30lb PowerPro discussion, I figured we were due for another. What type and size hooks do you guys recommend for Blackfish and why? Also what rigs do you use most and why? I was using 5/0 Gami's over the weekend for the first time and I thought they were a little too big. I saw guys using anything from 3/0 to 5/0. Also, why aren't guys using the old tried and true blue virginia style hooks anymore?

[Matt A.]

all those hook sizes are fine depends on what size bait im using
belmar rig bc its so easy and fast even when its very cold and i can pretie 20 snells quickly the night before
i don't use virginia's because they arent as sharp out of the box and i'm too lazy to do it myself but they are fine

[bassnbucks]

While I,m new to tog fishing, I prefer 3/0 gami,s. Last week all I had was 2/0 and i landed a 14 pounder and a few other big fish.

[Sea Bear]

6/0 Snafu for when you feel like taking a 'Hail Mary'
5/0 Almost Exclusively
4/0 Once in a blue moon for a scratchy bite on small baits
3/0 Never

[MrAC1980]

don't use virginia's because they arent as sharp out of the box and i'm too lazy to do it myself but they are fine

You may be right there, come to think of it, I stuck myself like 3 or 4 times when tieing snells the other night, don't remember ever having that problem with the virginia hooks! lol.

Do you guys like a short or long leader? I seem to prefer about a 12" leader but I noticed some guys were using like a 6" leader and had baits almost touching their sinkers.

[bassnbucks]

I use a 10 to 12" 50'snelled fluoro leader, hook is about 4" above sinker.

[MrAC1980]

Can't wait for another shot at Tog, going to try both 4/0 and 5/0 rigs.

[HDMarc]

I use either a 3/0 or 4/0 Gami octopus hook on a 12" to 14" section of flourocarbon leader attached a few inches above the sinker and have had good results, sometimes throw another hook on the leader as a slider

[Fishingfool2]

Do you all use regular or offset hooks

[Gerry Zagorski]

Offset hooks.

[Sharkyispy]

Offset hooks, 4/0 or 5/0 but have used 3/0 with success, 12-14 inch leader.....Like the snafu rigs but also use the slider.......Be prepared, bring what your comfortable fishing with but bring variety in event the bite is different that day.....

[Capt. Lou]

I use 3/0 - 4/0 bait holder styles , same hook I use wreck fishing . Prefer the longer shank this style offers to hold bait &'allow for better penetration on set since lets you expose more point .
In fact use this same hook for all my bottom fishing applications including fluke with bait .
I primarily use Gami's style # 05414

[kurtisb]

I use 3/0 - 4/0 bait holder styles , same hook I use wreck fishing . Prefer the longer shank this style offers to hold bait &'allow for better penetration on set since lets you expose more point .
In fact use this same hook for all my bottom fishing applications including fluke with bait .
I primarily use Gami's style # 05414

I bought two bulk packs of those Gami's last year and tied 25 hi-lo rigs for sea bass and ling. I must have broken about 10 of those hooks at the lower bait barb when using a dehooker. Every time a mate broke one, they would ask if it was a Gami. I think they are junk and so do most mates and captains that I fish with.

I use Owner 5/0 SSW cutting point for tog on a 12" mono snell. I've never broken one, but have bent a couple when snagged.

[Sullivan]

I bought two bulk packs of those Gami's last year and tied 25 hi-lo rigs for sea bass and ling. I must have broken about 10 of those hooks at the lower bait barb when using a dehooker. Every time a mate broke one, they would ask if it was a Gami. I think they are junk and so do most mates and captains that I fish with.

I use Owner 5/0 SSW cutting point for tog on a 12" mono snell. I've never broken one, but have bent a couple when snagged.

I agree , Gami's break . Owners are better .

[Capt. Lou]

Believe me if they were breaking I'd never use em' ! I put over 30 + trips a year on em' wreck , cod tog etc !
Can't remember breaking one de hooking or otherwise , in fact never even bent one in last 5 + seasons unless caught on a wreck .

[kurtisb]

Believe me if they were breaking I'd never use em' ! I put over 30 + trips a year on em' wreck , cod tog etc !
Can't remember breaking one de hooking or otherwise , in fact never even bent one in last 5 + seasons unless caught on a wreck .

Maybe I had a bad batch, but the mates tell me it is common with that hook.

[MrAC1980]

Wow this is a blast from the past! I saw my name and was like hey i didn't make that post until I saw the date, lol.

I've settled on using 4/0-6/0 Jigging World Octopus hooks and all sorts of different style rigs with 50-80lb mono depending on the fishing conditions, location, baits, etc.

Oh wait, I jig for blackfish now, no rigs needed! Haha.

[Sullivan]

I only use the Gami baitholder hooks for gulp fluke fishing , broke two last year , maybe one the year before , probably because of the cut shank . Bad batch or not it happens . these days Owners for almost everything .

[Capt. Lou]

Breaking on a fluke definitely sounds like bad hooks , they don't stress a hook like a big tog , cod or pollock,might ! Even when blues invade the wrecks in fall never had one of these fail & we all know dehooking or simply unhooking big blues can stress u & ur hook !

[mike1010]

Gamis have had a reputation for brittleness for a while, but lately I've seen some bend, so wondered if they hadn't changed the process to trade off in that direction.