Is there a best way to hook a shiner?
It is true that there are simply so many means and ways for you to hook a shiner, and it is a matter of choosing the best means.
Furthermore, there are far too many hook styles out there that you can choose from. This is why in the end, it all boils down on the water condition, size of bait, and a few other factors to help you come up with a smart choice.
With all these things in mind, let us look into the ways to hook a shiner. Discover the best way to do so, which could offer promising results in your next fishing trip.
What Is The Best Way to Hook a Shiner?
According to experts, the best way to hook a shiner – a live one – is by barbing your shiner through the top part of the mouth.
However, you must do your best to avoid passing the shiner from the bottom through the top portion of the lip. When you do this, it reduces the bait’s capability of drawing oxygen and water across its gills.
On the other hand, having a shiner hooked on the lip enables freedom of movement when swimming. It also lets it float while ensuring the shiner stays close to the surface.
When choosing the right hook, we recommend a Kahle one. What this means is that a semi-circle hook actually works. You can also decide on the Kahle size such as 2/0 up to about 4/0. The choice depends on how big the shiner is.
If you prefer a more versatile hook, then you may opt for the 2/0 size. This is so versatile and useful for wild shiner sizes.
When it comes to bass fishing in a thick and heavy cover, you may want to try using a Kahle hook. It works quite well, as you need to rig a light wire from the hook’s eye and onto the barb. This prevents the hook and shiner from tangling up in the vegetation underwater.
Another thing you can do is to cast your line as close as possible to the cover. This also lets the shiner swim under or into the heavy cover. It is the typical place where bass may be hiding.
When you perform this technique, you basically barb the weedless hook under the shiner. Then, you place it behind the section called the anal fin. Afterward, you cast the shiner as close to the cover as you could. Then, this enables it to swim as far back underneath the cover.
It is also called a weedless hook that is barbed underneath the shiner. This prevents the hook from getting all tangled up in the dense cover. Hence, the shiner can swim freely.
In this case, you use a circle hook from 2/0 to size 5/0. You also barb it below the shiner. There is a tiny gap right in the circle hook. But it is unlikely to get tangled up while serving as a reasonable hookset.
Hooking Tips with a Live Shiner
If you are looking to explore more on live bait fishing, then you should definitely take a stab at working with either a shiner or a shad. What’s great about shiners is that they can live longer. This is, of course, when you hook them properly.
You may also try to hood through the bottom portion of the lip and then onto the nostril. But you also must be careful when working through the nostrils. It is where the brain is, and you should not attempt to break the neck.
When it comes to sliding the hooks through the fish nostrils, there should be quite minimal resistance happening. Furthermore, the shiner ends up swimming in a downward position.
But if you want to try something else, there is always the so-called “dorsal fin hooking.” In this case, you can hook either in the back or the front. When you perform this type, your bait can swim upward and farther from the line of the bobber.
Overall, each method comes with precision, control, and sophistication when minding the bait.
When bass fishing, experts often troll live shiners in the water. They use a light wire, along with a shiner hook bearing the Kahle style. These come in quite handy when slow-trolling some wild shiners. With the light wire hooked right through the top mouth, the shiner can swim freely and entice as many strikes while maintaining its frisky movements.
For the most part, you need to prepare different types of shiner hooks to create the result you want. Additionally, it is all about hooking the shiner in the correct manner.
Some types of Kahle hook offer various results depending on the type of fish and water condition. There are hooks for slow trolling a wild shiner in the wide-open water. On the other hand, there is a shiner hook with a vibrant color that works for actively feeding bass.
Then again, a strong hook is best for shiner fishing in dense cover. It is also great for being able to overcome the density of vegetation in the water.
Bottom Line
There are simply many ways to hook a shiner. Each of these methods offers control and precision over your bait while allowing you to steer the shiner properly for the best results. This is most important when you are navigating your shiner around and under covers and vegetation.
And most importantly, you need to have different types of shiner hooks. You can apply the right technique of hooking them, and it is all about testing it all out and discovering what yields the greatest results.
So there you have the best way to hook a shiner and practical tips you need to consider when trying to up your game and catching more fish. Then, you can be on your way to becoming an expert angler with all the right techniques and tools you need!