Best hooks for planner board fishing (off set or inline)

[FishON]

So, I am a guy that never sets the hook.. I just watch the board and hope the fish gets hooked up... Just wondering what some of the more seasoned fisherman thought, the best hook design was for this style of fishing? (Like the circle hooks with offset eye VS straight eye circle hooks)

[johnr]

I only use gamakatsu octopus. Not circle hooks, these are more like a J with the offset eye. They’ve gotta be snelled to the leader for reliable hook sets, in my experience. Size 6/0 or 8/0 and slam that hook home.

[Don]

Tournament fishing aside... I'm a fan of the smaller 3/0 Mustad UltraPoint Demon wide cap circle.  Small to medium gizzards 6" ish, bluegill, or larger ales and have experienced great hook-ups off boards, floats, and downlines with these.  I use the 5/0 for larger baits but like the fine wire on the 3/0.  Again.. tournament fishing is a different story (6/0 minimum and a #4 stinger)

[FishON]

Thanks for the replies. The straight eye hooks seem to be working better for me than the off set eye. (But, I don't use Snell knots.) Plus, I don't have a long enough sample size.

[hilljack198]

I've had good luck with Owner MuTu light wire circle hooks, they're offset. Dont really look like a classic circle hook though

[Yam]

Apr 8, 2020 16:05:43 GMT -5 johnr said:

I only use gamakatsu octopus. Not circle hooks, these are more like a J with the offset eye. They’ve gotta be snelled to the leader for reliable hook sets, in my experience. Size 6/0 or 8/0 and slam that hook home.

I do exactly what John does. Same hooks, same snell, same everything. When I get bit, I treat it like a rude interruption to my otherwise peaceful troll. I want that fish to have a sore jaw after I get done. Hopefully that fish will be a little more careful the next time she decides to mess with my bait!

[smldlv]

I use mustad inline circle hooks. With smaller bait, ales and bluebacks, I use 1/0 -3/0. With gizzards I use 2/0- 4/0, hooked through the nostrils. I know I use smaller hooks than most guys, but I feel like I have pretty good hookup ratio. I never set the hook and wait till the board goes under or pops. I have caught 20- 25 lb stripers on 2/0 hooks and a 4” bluegill.

[coheasion]

For planer boards and floats i do same as johnr and Yam. I use circle hooks on my downlines though with good success.

[johnr]

Always circles on downlines and cut bait...never on a planer, float or free line.