Prefered hook, size and shape for bottom bashing?

[Chris_2184]

Just curious to see what your preferences are to hooks, their size and shape for deeper bottom bashing (reds, nannyguys etc.)
I'm no pro in this area but I'd be more inclined to use an 8/0 or 9/0 gamakatsu or mustad, but I've regularly seen fella's that fish this style more often than me use just the 'no-name' bulk packs which definetly don't seem as tough others.

Am I wasting my money buying the 'name brands' chemically sharpened hooks or will quantity over quality be the better option?

Just want to see what works for you

Chris

[Scott nthQld]

Gamakatsu are possibly my favourite hooks in the world. They're very strong without the very high price tag like owner hooks, so they would be my preference.

However, after a few reef missions with AF member ozbee, he's shown me another way which is twice as effective.

Get yourself some 8/0 or9/0 truturns and put 2 on each dropper (2 hooks on one dropper is perfectly legal in GBRMPA yellow zones btw, as long as the space between the 2 is no more than 150mm long, and you only put ONE bait over the 2 hooks). Feed one on, (this will run freely between the bottom hook and the dropper knot) and feed the 2nd one on the opposite way, ie if the first one went on with the point facing the mainline, the 2nd one must face away from the mainline, then just loop the line over like you would normally, this becomes the fixed hook, whilst the other can slide freely between the dropper knot and 2nd hook, allowing you to put hug baits on if you want.

Now for the advantages. 1st one is obvious, you can now catch 2 fish on the one dropper. 2nd is a really valuable one when chasing reds and nannies IMO, often you will hook a red on the free sliding hook, and because the fixed hook is facing the other way, it pulls up and hooks the fish again on the outside, often in the hard head part of the fish which means a better hook up and you are less likely to drop the fish.

I also use this for trout now and have seen ozbee catch 4 trout on a single drop, thats right, 2 droppers, each with 2 hooks, each dropper having a SINGLE bait, and catching 4 trout.

[Chris_2184]

Gamakatsu are possibly my favourite hooks in the world. They're very strong without the very high price tag like owner hooks, so they would be my preference.

However, after a few reef missions with AF member ozbee, he's shown me another way which is twice as effective.

Get yourself some 8/0 or9/0 truturns and put 2 on each dropper (2 hooks on one dropper is perfectly legal in GBRMPA yellow zones btw, as long as the space between the 2 is no more than 150mm long, and you only put ONE bait over the 2 hooks). Feed one on, (this will run freely between the bottom hook and the dropper knot) and feed the 2nd one on the opposite way, ie if the first one went on with the point facing the mainline, the 2nd one must face away from the mainline, then just loop the line over like you would normally, this becomes the fixed hook, whilst the other can slide freely between the dropper knot and 2nd hook, allowing you to put hug baits on if you want.

Now for the advantages. 1st one is obvious, you can now catch 2 fish on the one dropper. 2nd is a really valuable one when chasing reds and nannies IMO, often you will hook a red on the free sliding hook, and because the fixed hook is facing the other way, it pulls up and hooks the fish again on the outside, often in the hard head part of the fish which means a better hook up and you are less likely to drop the fish.

I also use this for trout now and have seen ozbee catch 4 trout on a single drop, thats right, 2 droppers, each with 2 hooks, each dropper having a SINGLE bait, and catching 4 trout.

Thanks mate, I was chattin with a guy from one of the local tackle shops the other day and he was talking up those tru-turn hooks especially in the 8/0's for bottom fishing.
I've used these hooks for ganging with a swivel between each hook and they work very well, being suprisingly strong and sharp. Not too sure what the purpose is behind the actual shape of the hook though.
8/0's were selling for $22.50 for a 25 pack, so they're definetly not cheap

Are you 100% sure on the 2 hook rig being legal in yellow zones?

p.s. 4 trout on 2 droppers!! gee they must be thick out your way

Cheers

[Scott nthQld]

Yes I am 100%, I have an email from GBRMPA as I asked the same question a while ago about a snooded rig. Whilst illegal for other zoned areas, were the zoning is enforced by GBRMPA, a single hook can be defined as upto 6 hooks either in a gang, joined by a swivel or connected by no more than 150mm of cable (line, wire etc), which you only use a single bait and therefore only intend to catch one fish at a time, getting 2 on the same dropper can't be controlled by you in this instance as your INTENT is clear by you only using one bait to catch one fish. I was very specific in my question, and this is almost the exact answer they gave me.

[Scott79]

(2 hooks on one dropper is perfectly legal in GBRMPA yellow zones btw, as long as the space between the 2 is no more than 150mm long, and you only put ONE bait over the 2 hooks).

Interesting technique Scott, certainly more hooks in big baits has to be a good thing. Sounds like it's well worth a try on the trout.
Is there a reason to use the tru-turn over a gamakatsu or a similar pattern?

Not sure about the legality of the rig in a Yellow zone though, just had a look on the GBRMPA web site which indicates:

Limited line fishing (one hand-held rod or one hand-held line per person, with no more than one hook attached to that line)

with the definition of a "hook" as:

• A single-shanked double or treble hook
• A lure (which is an artificial bait with not more than three hooks attached to it)
• An artificial fly
• A jig (for taking squid)
• A bait jig (a hook or group of hooks consisting of no more than six hooks, each hook being of a size between number 1 and number 12 or their equivalent)
• A ganged hook set (consisting of no more than six hooks, each which is in contact (by the point of one hook being threaded through the eye of another, or joined by a swivel or wire) with at least one of the other hooks in the set, used to attach one piece of bait intended to catch only one fish.

I would have thought that without joining these hooks in a typical ganging method, that the rig wouldn't meet the requirements?

Scott.

[Scott nthQld]

Oh and BTW, i also use the truturn gangs, great hooks. I've never had any much success using them as a single hook though, so always thought they were rubbish until I was shown the above

[Scott79]

Scott, you must have posted at the same time I did regarding the Yellow zone.

I bet that is an email that you have printed and kept on the boat waiting for the time you are pulled up and checked , I wonder how many of the marine parks guys on the ground are actually aware of the legitamacy of this method??

Scott.

[Scott nthQld]

Interesting technique Scott, certainly more hooks in big baits has to be a good thing. Sounds like it's well worth a try on the trout.
Is there a reason to use the tru-turn over a gamakatsu or a similar pattern?

Not sure about the legality of the rig in a Yellow zone though, just had a look on the GBRMPA web site which indicates:

Limited line fishing (one hand-held rod or one hand-held line per person, with no more than one hook attached to that line)

with the definition of a "hook" as:

• A single-shanked double or treble hook
• A lure (which is an artificial bait with not more than three hooks attached to it)
• An artificial fly
• A jig (for taking squid)
• A bait jig (a hook or group of hooks consisting of no more than six hooks, each hook being of a size between number 1 and number 12 or their equivalent)
• A ganged hook set (consisting of no more than six hooks, each which is in contact (by the point of one hook being threaded through the eye of another, or joined by a swivel or wire) with at least one of the other hooks in the set, used to attach one piece of bait intended to catch only one fish.

I would have thought that without joining these hooks in a typical ganging method, that the rig wouldn't meet the requirements?

Scott.

The highlighted section is the loophole in this instance, especially the joined by swivel or wire part. Also take note of the one bait, and "Intended to catch only one fish".

Though with my method you do catch more than one fish on one bait, its kinda hard to say to intend to do so.

[Jurkyjj]

As stated above.....Gamakatsu all the way!!!!
6/0 or 7/0 depending on the species or the area i'm fishing.

Certainly had no problems with these hooks and had no reason to change from them.

[dayoo]

As stated above.....Gamakatsu all the way!!!!
6/0 or 7/0 depending on the species or the area i'm fishing.

Certainly had no problems with these hooks and had no reason to change from them.

I've been using 6/0 to 8/0 Gamakatsu on a snood rig for years but red emperor over 10kg have straightened 8/0's when hooked in the jaw. You have to go to 10/0+ in true turn or forged mustard to be safe when targeting big reds.

Cheers
Barry

[jtpython]

I use the 6/0 and 7/0 Mustard Octopus for all bottom bashing
JT

[Robbo_Townsville]

I use 8/0 O'Shanessy's ganged. They are forged, and as yet never straightened a pair.

[Robbo_Townsville]

VMC O'Shanessys's.

[ozbee]

this is where you got it all wrong set up like scott said you will not straighten the 8 0 .it only works with tru turn best cause that bend in the shank causes the bait to flare out in a v but the hooks still lay parallel. in the last 12 months my boat has easily caught over 2000 kg of emperor and big mouth nannies. most are over 10 kg . it trufully it would be closer than 3000 kg except for the night we released over 50 red emperor in one night avg up to 16 kg with very few under 10.

in all this time not once has a hook been straightened if set up as said.

[ozbee]

vmc are a very good hook my favourite before this rig set up. you have to get to the idea of hooking through the middle depth of the bait and leaving the point out eg a squid bait lays horizontal in the set up




this nanny went 15 kg and still cant bend the hook cause one is in his mouth and the other has swung round and pierced through the cheek on the outside cause as they fight the v between the hook clamps in.


there is a shop down here selling them at $60 bucks a hundred