09-05-2019, 05:16 PM
[#0000FF]Yes, the Matzuo sickle hooks I use for most of the smaller fligs do have small barbs. It's always a tradeoff with hooks. Larger barbs hold bait on better but also lodge in flesh better too...both in fish and in fishermen...and in clothes. The sickle design actually helps hold fish on well once hooked, but bait stealing fish get away with more.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]And when it comes to choosing the right size flig and hook...well, catfish don't read the directions. I have caught some pretty big cats on small fligs and have had some pretty small cats struggle to get the point of larger hooks in their mouths just to prove how tough they were.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]You will still get "little peckers" nibbling away at the bigger baits on your kong fligs. But, just like using circle hooks, if you wait for a bigger fish to load up the rod then you will catch more big fish. But you can't ketch 'em where they ain't. If there are no big fish active...or even in the area...even the purtiest flig won't catch fish.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I can and do make smaller fligs on heavier hooks. But with balanced tackle and good fish fighting skills you should still be able to land big fish on the smaller and lighter hooked fligs. The main problem a lot of new fliggers have is that they try to tear those Matzuo hooks out a fish with a pair of pliers and bend the hooks. Once bent they lose their temper and their strength.
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[#0000FF]And when it comes to choosing the right size flig and hook...well, catfish don't read the directions. I have caught some pretty big cats on small fligs and have had some pretty small cats struggle to get the point of larger hooks in their mouths just to prove how tough they were.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]You will still get "little peckers" nibbling away at the bigger baits on your kong fligs. But, just like using circle hooks, if you wait for a bigger fish to load up the rod then you will catch more big fish. But you can't ketch 'em where they ain't. If there are no big fish active...or even in the area...even the purtiest flig won't catch fish.[/#0000FF]
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[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]I can and do make smaller fligs on heavier hooks. But with balanced tackle and good fish fighting skills you should still be able to land big fish on the smaller and lighter hooked fligs. The main problem a lot of new fliggers have is that they try to tear those Matzuo hooks out a fish with a pair of pliers and bend the hooks. Once bent they lose their temper and their strength.
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