Losing Big Cats

maybe putting the sinkers on a dropper using a splitshot to hold your main sinkers in place. if you snag the splitshot pulls free and you lose your sinker but not the hook. sounds like this can get expensive 5 oz sinkers aren't cheap.

For carp I use whats called a safety clip. How this works is you have a clip that slides over the swivel tight and holds it in place then there is a place to slide the lead over and a rubber piece that slides over where it clips on holding it all in place. If you get hung up it pops off and you lose the weight but thats about it. I use 4oz weight so it works with heavy stuff.  http://www.fish.state.pa.us/pafish/carp/carp_fishing.htm  Go to the bottom and click on bolt rig and you can see how it works. Any questions just ask.

Slinksy sinkers may solve you problem. They have advantages and disadvantages but there thinner profile may help with your problem
 
Its just my opinion but a A 5oz sinker seems like alot of weight. While I'm sure the rivers are raging right now, in most other instances a smaller weight should work.
 
If you are breaking the fish off when the weight is snagged you may try keeping tension on the fish, sometime the fish will pop the weight own its' own. 
 
I'm not sure what you are using for bait and have very little experience with circle hooks. If am not mistaken the hook size of a circle is actually a bit smaller than a stanard bait hook, correct me if I'm wrong. You may consider using a larger circle hook, say a size nine or ten. A hook with a larger gap like a Kahle style hooks may also improve your hook up ratio.
 
Best of luck
 
PT
 
 

I have a question,,,I see alot about big cats at night,,flatheads mostly. Is the flathead fishing done generaly more from shore, in the three rivers?

nothin beats nite fihing for cats no matter what bait you use

use a 3 way swivel
put your hook and bait on a line about 2 pounds lighter (it will break before your main line) and put your sinker dropper on 5-10 pound lighter line, that way it breaks well before the main line or your baited line

Here is who I use. I use these ones  http://www.scorpiontacklestore.com/terminal%20tackle_clips_rubbers_sleeves.htm  the kit at the bottom has both pieces and the swivel to match. I use 4.2oz and no problems with them.

Let me find a picture of another thing you may like even better. Its an inline lead thats 3oz and up. There is a plastic tube through the middle to prevent fraying of the line and the swivel goes in it as well creating the same bolt effect. This casts like a dream and rarely gets tangled. Also if you use a feed type bait it can be packed around the lead and holds during the cast and breaks down and your main bait can be on the hook so it chums it precise. I will find a link for you. Where are you from? If you are close I can just show you different ones.

ORIGINAL: accordbw

Let me find a picture of another thing you may like even better. Its an inline lead thats 3oz and up. There is a plastic tube through the middle to prevent fraying of the line and the swivel goes in it as well creating the same bolt effect. This casts like a dream and rarely gets tangled. Also if you use a feed type bait it can be packed around the lead and holds during the cast and breaks down and your main bait can be on the hook so it chums it precise. I will find a link for you. Where are you from? If you are close I can just show you different ones.

 
Indiana area

You could try a 3 way swivel.use lighter line on the weight.

How is the catfishing when the rivers are way up?  I have been inside alld ay with the rain and am anxious to get some fresh air?