What size hooks...

[B-faithful]

do you all use when chunkin bunka? Season opens on the Chesapeake this weekend and due to the crowds trolling I am going to chum in the shallower water instead of fight the crowds. I rigged up new rigs for this weekends trip and was only able to get 8/0 J hooks (not going to use circles as I havent had good luck with stripers with them--too many swallowed hooks and/or missed fish). I usually use 6/0. Do you think the 8/0's are too big?

[LamiglasMike]

do you all use when chunkin bunka? Season opens on the Chesapeake this weekend and due to the crowds trolling I am going to chum in the shallower water instead of fight the crowds. I rigged up new rigs for this weekends trip and was only able to get 8/0 J hooks (not going to use circles as I havent had good luck with stripers with them--too many swallowed hooks and/or missed fish). I usually use 6/0. Do you think the 8/0's are too big?

The 8/0's are fine. I tend to use 8/0's most of the time. I only use larger when live lining. When I use two or more rods I use circle hooks, with the reel locked up. I usually hold the rod with J Hooks. Good luck this weekend!

[Spooled]

nope

need to get enough hook showing to set on the fish

8/0 9/0 10/0 depending on whether small chunk(tail section) or noggin

[Reel Nice]

Depends on how big of a chunk... I use 8/0-10/0 in the fall in the D bay...In the Big D for the spring with herring whole or chunked(smaller chunk than bunker) I use 7/0-9/0..Now I need to catch some Herring.:D

[Olbarney]

8/0 to 10/0 . Big mouths need big hooks :D

[Bay Stalker]

I have always use 10/0's but have been trying the 12/0 Big River Bait Hooks recently when bunker chunking. This hook gives you a lot more hook out of the bait. They also help when the blues are around. You seem to not get as many bite offs do to the long shank.
Gamakatsu has developed a new hook designed for use with really big baits and really big fish. This hook definitely fills the need for a big enough hook to handle really big baits without being too heavy to get a good hook set. The New Big River Bait hook is ideal for the larger cut baits used for big Catfish and Sturgeon. The unique bend of the Big River Bait hook is similar to an Octopus hook but has a slightly more exaggerated slope off the back with a harder angle bend at the bottom with a slight beak point, giving it a more aggressive appearance than the Octopus hooks. This bend also provides for extra gap to accommodate much larger baits. The Big River Bait Hook is built slightly heavier than an Octopus hook in the same size range, is forged for extra strength and features an up eye for snelling.
The new Big River Bait hook has a NS Black finish for corrosion resistance and comes in only two sizes, 10/0 and 12/0.


http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/aa_007.jpg

[B-faithful]

how about circle hooks? Maybe that was my problem with them. I was using 8/0 gam's

[Bay Stalker]

how about circle hooks? Maybe that was my problem with them. I was using 8/0 gam's

Save the circles for Tuna Fishing....

[WetSideShawn]

10/0 gami.....

[jsullivan]

I have always use 10/0's but have been trying the 12/0 Big River Game Hooks recently when bunker chunking. This hook gives you a lot more hook out of the bait. They also help when the blues are around. You seem to not get as many bite offs do to the long shank.

http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/aa_007.jpg

Do you know of a good place to pickup the Big River Game Hooks? Either online or in the Ocean City or SIC area...preferably a barn sponsor.

[Bay Stalker]

Do you know of a good place to pickup the Big River Bait Hooks? Either online or in the Ocean City or SIC area...preferably a barn sponsor.

As far as I know none of the sponsors carry them. Look up Gamakatsu big river bait hooks on google to find a place to get them. I have been getting them off of ebay.

About the hooks from Gami's site:
Gamakatsu has developed a new hook designed for use with really big baits and really big fish. This hook definitely fills the need for a big enough hook to handle really big baits without being too heavy to get a good hook set. The New Big River Bait hook is ideal for the larger cut baits used for big Catfish and Sturgeon. The unique bend of the Big River Bait hook is similar to an Octopus hook but has a slightly more exaggerated slope off the back with a harder angle bend at the bottom with a slight beak point, giving it a more aggressive appearance than the Octopus hooks. This bend also provides for extra gap to accommodate much larger baits. The Big River Bait Hook is built slightly heavier than an Octopus hook in the same size range, is forged for extra strength and features an up eye for snelling.
The new Big River Bait hook has a NS Black finish for corrosion resistance and comes in only two sizes, 10/0 and 12/0.

[Offshore Custom Tackle]

9/0 gami's. the only way to go.