3/0 4/0 5/0 Hooks For Blackfish?
 

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?

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do you all use regular or offset hooks

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

Offset hooks.

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

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.....

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 .

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

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

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

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.

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

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 .

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

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 !

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

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.