What Size Circle Hook Should Your Use on Your Next Catfishing Trip!
Planning a catfishing trip and not sure what hook to use for catfishing? Choosing the right circle hook size can make a big difference in your success. The best circle hook for catfishing depends on the type of catfish (channel, blue, or flathead) and the size of catfish you’re after. In this friendly guide, we’ll break down hook sizes 5/0 through 10/0 and explain which is the best hook for catfish in various scenarios. By the end, you’ll know exactly which hook size to tie on for your upcoming fishing trip – whether you’re after eating-size channel cats or trophy blues and flatheads.
5/0 Circle Hooks – Small but Mighty All-Arounders
A 5/0 circle hook is a great starting point for most casual catfishing. Many anglers consider 5/0 (or the similar 6/0) a reliable all-around hook size for catfish. Even relatively small catfish can take a hook this size, so don’t worry that it’s “too big.” In fact, 5/0 hooks are small but mighty – the gap is large enough to hook a decent fish, yet not so large that smaller cats can’t get hooked.
Target Species/Sizes: 5/0 hooks work best for smaller to medium catfish. They are ideal for channel catfish in the pan-size range (common 1–5 lb “eater” catfish) and can handle channel cats up to around 8–10 lbs comfortably. They’ll also hook into small blue catfish (juvenile blues in the same ~5–10 lb range). A 5/0 isn’t typically used for targeting flathead catfish (flatheads are usually sought when they’re much larger), but the occasional small flathead could be caught on a 5/0 if it bites.
Overall, if you expect mostly smaller cats and want plenty of hookups, a 5/0 circle hook is a smart choice.
Buy Catfish Pro Tournament Series Double OffSet 5/0 Circle Hooks TODAY!
6/0 Circle Hooks – Versatile Choice for Medium Cats
Moving up a notch, a 6/0 circle hook offers a bit more size and gap. This size is often hailed as one of the best hooks for catfish in general-purpose situations. It’s still small enough to catch modest-sized catfish, but gives you extra strength and gape for larger mouths. In fact, catfish anglers recommend 6/0 cicle hooks for targeting “box” cats (common blues and channels in the 1–5 pound range), showing how even little cats can be caught on fairly large hooks. At the same time, a 6/0 can handle bigger fish than you might expect.
Target Species/Sizes: Use 6/0 hooks for channel catfish of all sizes up to around the mid-teens (pounds). If you’re after eater-size channels or the occasional bigger channel cat (say 10–15 lbs), a 6/0 is perfect. It’s also a solid choice for blue catfish in the small to medium range – those blues around 5–15 lbs won’t have trouble getting hooked on a 6/0. You could even hook larger blues if they bite, though if you know 20+ lb fish are around, you might want to size up. For flathead catfish, a 6/0 is on the small side (usable only for smaller flatheads). Flatheads have big mouths and are often much larger fish, so while a small flathead might get caught on a 6/0, most flathead anglers start with bigger hooks.
In summary, a 6/0 circle hook is a versatile mid-size option — great if you expect a mix of smaller fish but want the ability to handle a surprise bigger cat as well.
Buy Catfish Pro Tournament Series Double OffSet 6/0 Circle Hooks TODAY!
7/0 Circle Hooks – Stepping Up for Larger Fish
When you step up to a 7/0 circle hook, you’re gearing up for larger catfish and using a hook with a wider gap and heavier build. This size is excellent when you anticipate bigger fish or are using larger bait that needs more hook gap. For channel cats, a 7/0 is quite large – likely overkill for typical channel catfish unless you’re targeting the rare big ones in the 15–20 lb range. However, if smaller channels bite a 7/0, they can still occasionally hook up, but you might miss the very little guys. The real strength of 7/0 hooks shines with big blues and flatheads.
Target Species/Sizes: A 7/0 hook is commonly used for blue catfish in the medium-to-large class. If you’re fishing a river known for 20+ pound blues, 7/0 is a good minimum to ensure you can securely hook those fish. It provides a strong hookset and enough gap for the jaws of a hefty blue. Flathead catfish anglers often consider 7/0 a starting size for pursuing flatheads with live bait. Flatheads grow large (30, 40, 50+ lbs) and have broad mouths, so using at least a 7/0 helps when a big flathead inhales your bait – it increases the chances that the hook catches in the corner of that tough mouth. Anglers note that for flatheads, you’ll want hooks at least 7/0 and often even bigger.
So, use 7/0 hooks when you’re upping your game: targeting larger blues or planning for that first big flathead. It’s a confident middle-ground size before jumping into true trophy hooks.
Buy Catfish Pro Tournament Series Double OffSet 7/0 Circle Hooks TODAY!
8/0 Circle Hooks – Great for Big Channel, Blue, and Flathead Catfish
The 8/0 circle hook is where we enter the realm of strong hooks for fishing for truly large catfish. An 8/0 is a hefty hook with a wide gap, and it’s actually one of the most popular sizes for trophy hunters who still want some versatility. This hook can secure a big chunk of cut bait or a live bait, and it has the strength to hold against powerful runs. Interestingly, 8/0 hooks are considered very versatile – they can hook catfish as small as a few pounds, yet are robust enough for monsters. For example, one catfishing angler calls an 8/0 the most versatile hook, effective for catfish from about 5 pounds all the way up to trophy-sized blue catfish. That means you could easily catch a feisty 5 lb channel and a 50 lb blue on the same 8/0 hook (assuming your rod, line, and bait are up to the task)!
Target Species/Sizes: Use 8/0 hooks when you’re aiming for large catfish or a mix of sizes. They are excellent for big blue catfish and flathead catfish. If you’re specifically chasing trophy-sized blues (20–50+ lbs) or giant flatheads, an 8/0 gives you confidence that your hook won’t straighten out and that it has a large enough gap to snag into a catfish's mouth. At the same time, if a medium catfish (say a 5–10 lb channel or blue) comes along, the 8/0 can still catch it – catfish have big mouths relative to their size, so they usually won’t shy away from a larger hook. For channel catfish, you typically wouldn’t need an 8/0 unless the channels in your waters get unusually large; however, it could be useful if you’re fishing where 10+ lb channel cats are possible or if you just want to be prepared for anything.
In general, when in doubt about fish size, going with an 8/0 circle hook is a safe bet because it covers a wide range. It’s no surprise many anglers deem it the best circle hook for catfishing both numbers and big fish together.
Buy Catfish Pro Tournament Series Double OffSet 8/0 Circle Hooks TODAY!
9/0 Circle Hooks – Heavy-Duty for Trophy Hunters
A 9/0 circle hook is a serious hook for serious catfish. This size is typically used by anglers who know they’re likely to encounter very large fish or who need extra-heavy gear due to strong currents or snaggy environments. A 9/0 hook has an even wider gap and thicker gauge, meaning it’s built to battle bruiser catfish without bending. For most everyday catfishing, you won’t need a 9/0, but if your target is trophy blues or flatheads in the 40+ pound range, it’s a great option. Think of 9/0 as the step just below the absolute maximum size – it’s like the “big” setting before you go “huge” with a 10/0.
Target Species/Sizes: Reserve 9/0 hooks for trophy-class catfish and challenging conditions. This hook size is ideal for blue catfish on the larger end of the spectrum (30, 40, even 50+ lb fish). If you’re drifting baits in a big river known for giant blues, a 9/0 gives you the strength and hook gap needed to land those monsters. It’s also well-suited for huge flathead catfish, especially when you’re fishing in heavy cover (like log jams or deep timber) where you might have to horse the fish out – the stout 9/0 hook is less likely to bend open during a tug-of-war. You generally wouldn’t use a 9/0 for channel catfish since it’s far beyond what any channel cat requires (most channels are too small to even get hooked on it).
So, think of the 9/0 circle hook as a specialist hook: a strong hook for catfishing scenarios where big cats are the expectation. It provides peace of mind that if a river monster bites, your hook is up to the challenge.
Buy Catfish Pro Tournament Series Double OffSet 9/0 Circle Hooks TODAY!
10/0 Circle Hooks – Monster Hooks for Giant Catfish
Here, we are at the top of the scale. A 10/0 circle hook is the big daddy of catfish hooks – absolutely massive and built for the largest catfish out there. This is the hook you use when you’re only after the biggest of the big. A 10/0 circle hook has a huge gap and a very thick, strong shank. It can hold large live baits or big chunks of cut bait securely and is engineered to hook into the bony mouth of a giant catfish and not let go. Because of the size, smaller fish simply won’t be able to get hooked – which is usually fine, since if you’re using a 10/0, you’re probably intentionally avoiding little catfish and looking for river monsters.
Target Species/Sizes: The 10/0 hook is aimed at trophy catfish only. This means huge blue catfish (think those 50, 60, 70+ pound whoppers in big rivers and reservoirs) and giant flathead catfish of similar size. If you’re heading to waters known for record-class cats and your goal is a new personal best, a 10/0 is a smart choice. Flathead anglers using big live baits (like hand-sized bluegill or large shiners) often use 10/0 hooks to ensure a solid hookup when that catfish of a lifetime gulps the bait. For blue catfish, many tournament anglers and guides will gear up with 10/0 hooks when targeting the bigger blues. These hooks are extremely strong – they’re made to handle the powerful runs and death rolls of a monster cat without straightening. Once again, keep this in mind: You won’t catch small or even medium cats on a 10/0.
This is a “go big or go home” hook size, used when you only want the big bite. If that’s your plan, a 10/0 circle hook will ensure you have a strong & big enough hook when fishing giant catfish, and it won’t let you down.
