MendingLine

G'Day. I have tied a number of mooching leaders using Gamakatsu Octpus hooks (mostly 1/0 trailing, 2/0 top). I have a couple of questions and would appreciate some of your expertise.

1. Should I be tying with Circle Hooks instead? If so, what hooks?
2. I have tied all my leaders with a snell knot with 13 wraps and 15# floro. Should I use a bumber snell knot with 8 wraps on the bumber and 7 on the snell (also called a bait loop or egg loop)?
3. For tying hoochie rigs should I use the octopus or circle hook?

Many thanks for your help. Cheers, Gary

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2004 Pro-Line Bay 20
2004 Honda BF200
2005 Dodge 2500 Cummins Diesel

salmon9

I used to mooch with cut plug as a guide in BC for several years and used Mustad 3/0 92553 or 9263E hooks. I liked the 9263E hooks as they were a thinner wire hook, however, more prone to straigthen out. I think Gamakatsu Octopus 3/0 hooks would be a good hook, maybe 2/0 for small bait (I would go with a 3/0 hook). I prefer 15 lb fluoro or Maxima Ultragreen and tied the hooks with a egg loop knot about 6-7 wraps then 4-5 wraps. I prefer to use long leaders, a good quality swivel and if I can't get fresh herring I will cut plug my bait the night before and brine them (in the fridge).

MendingLine

Many thanks Salmon9. About 30 years ago I was fishing with the Mustad 9263S in the Duwamish Waterway and hooked a very large king. After about 20 minutes of hard fighting he went to the bottom and in the process straightened my hook. I did have him near the boat but not netable. I won't use stainless again for environmental and strength issues.

I do have a question for you: How do you rig your hoochies? I have never fished with them before. I presume that I just put a bead on a mooching leader (two hook system) and run the leader through the hoochie and tie the leader to my swivel on the weight (if I do not use a flasher).

How has your fishing been in BC this year? I hope to be able to visit Vancouver Island around September10. Take care and regards, Gary

__________________
2004 Pro-Line Bay 20
2004 Honda BF200
2005 Dodge 2500 Cummins Diesel

salmon9

I fish a fair amount of hoochies on the BC coast. I tie my leaders with 30-40 lb Maxima Ultragreen with two single 4/0 hooks, same egg loop knot as my cut plug mooching leaders. Spacing between hooks depends on how many beads or tubes used. You want the back hook hanging at the end of the hoochie. Captaindownriggins ties some nice hootchies and useful info, as does salmonuniversity.com - some good ideas can be used by refering to his design: http://www.captaindownriggins.com/ Leader length varies based on salmon species targeted and your trolling speed. Go to colors are purple haze, green splatterback, green glow, army truck, pistacio. The leader is tied to a swivel which is then attached to the base of a flasher: http://www.salmonuniversity.com/ol_flasher_fishing.html . Fishing with flashers is best done with downriggers.

Salmon fishing around Victoria area has been slower than usual. I fish Port Renfrew and it is picking up nicely, consistent catches and good size. I hear further up Vancouver Island is doing well, e.g. Port Hardy, Tofino. Send me an email if you want more information.