Hooks for Blues

[mongosurf]

What have you guys found to be the best hook for Blues when fishing with live or cut bait? The circle hook used for Drum or the straight shank hook used for Pompano, spots, etc.

Since Blues are such quick hitters, I have always fished with straight shank but I am open for suggestions.

[Ryan Y]

Use what you know, You should do fine....

[chinookhead]

I like to use a long shank red hook like the biggest penn Saltwater hooks...they are cheap and plenty sharp. The long shank usually acts as a good enough "wired" leader" and then I use 80# mon. I find that I catch much more fish on this over wire and also lose less. I've never had a blue bite through it...although I do re-tie when it gets chewed pretty good, but I have had wire snap me several times (it can get pinched and weaken etc.). I use stren hard mono leader material 80# or ande.

[The Crew]

Because blues are such quick and aggressive hitters I've found that anything works; j, circle, long shank. But here's a thread we recently discussed the exact same topic - some good info in it!:fishing:
Tight lines!


http://www.pierandsurf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43978&highlight=blues+hooks

[Hannibal]

Speaking from experiences over the weekend - I was using whole mullet with a two hook setup. I would have one straight shank down its back and one circle out of its tail. I would alternate this as well - and OVERWHELMINGLY found that I had better hookups with the straight shank hooks down the tail. Same was also true when I ran single hooks through smaller mullet. The circle hooks would result in FAR less hookups.

[fishhead]

If small hooks make them long shanks ... if using circle hooks use really big ones. leaders: 100lb mono or wire to reduce bite-offs :eek: