hook size

[tateman]

what size hooks would be the best size for pulling 6" to 8" gizzards on boards, used #2 circle and this weekend and really had a hard time getting them to the boat, lost couple really nice fish? does it make much difference about hook exposure,

[BentRod]

You need a 4/0 or 5/0 on a dollar bill sized shad.

I've been using 6/0-8/0 on the shad I've been pulling..12-16". The bigger the shad, the tougher it is to set that hook I think. When they hit, I'll try to break the rod in half on my hookset, otherwise you'll never pull that hook out of their nostril and you'll get a turned hook into the bait back after you miss it. If you don't slam it home on that initial hookset, that hook will get all turned into the bait in the fishes mouth and you'll never get it to the boat. The bigger hooks help with this. On a moneymaker size shad, it's not as critical, but on the big shad, their nostrils get so tough, you need a big hook. Alewives are completely opposite. I use as small of a hook as I can get away with.

[Gotcha]

On boards trash the circles and use standard beak point octopus hooks! The slack from the angle the board is away from boat will cause the circle not to set!
Size bentrod mentioned!

[tateman]

thanks,