Went out Saturday evening and set out some bush hooks and yo yo
automatic reels. Caught over 40 pounds of very nice channel cats. Most were around 5 lbs.
I decided to try #4 circle hooks this time and they worked great. I didnt lose a single fish. (except for the monster that pulled all the line and went under a brush pile.)
These yo yo reels work great. You dont have to find a limber limb like the bush hooks. You can attach these to anything. Stumps, overhanging branches, logs, milk jugs, etc. I did learn though that when placing them in heavy cover I needed to tighten the spring alot more to keep the big ones from taking all the line into the tangles.
Alot of fun.
I'll post some pics later.