Gut hooked bass

[stars'nstripers]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

I drift fish with sandeels a lot and being a small bait the bass just suck them in and tend to gut hook themselves no matter how quick you set the hook. I went to circle hooks and I very rarely have that problem any more. I won't use anything else for that type of fishing. Might have to use a larger hook but I am sure you could incorporate it into your style of fishing.

Sorry this is off topic, but how do u drift fish sand eels. Just put a hook in them and cast it??

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by stars'nstripers

Sorry this is off topic, but how do u drift fish sand eels. Just put a hook in them and cast it??

Drift from a boat. I hook them thru the eyes on a circle with the needed weight so they bounce along the bottom and look for a rip. I use same exact technique for fluke except I use a live bait hook. Drop to bottom and drift thru rip. Pass rip and repeat. Pretty basic. Fresh sand eels are the key.