SUBJECT: # 36165: What size circle hooks for stripers and blues?

Submitted by jeff from CONNECTICUT on 10/4/01 10:15:00 AM

I was using 7/0 gamagatsu circle hooks the other night and had many missed fish. I was not setting the hook I was letting them run with it. When I went to reel in they were gone. Should I use a bigger one or smaller one than that. I was fishing bunker chunks at the time.

1. 10/4/01 10:33:00 AM Submitted by Farallon (12.99.112.1) from CALIFORNIA says Technique vs size ?
   How long were you "letting them run with it"?

   I don't let the fish "run with the bait", but rather, put my thumb on the spool, when the rod loads up, I put the reel in in gear; then shout Hook Up.

   I fish Owner circle hooks which run large. I think a Gamakatsu 7/0 is not too large, but try some 5/0's next trip and don't let them "run with it". It takes tension (not a hook set) to turn and set the hook.

   In addition, if you are using a octopus circle, it has to be snelled.

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2. 10/4/01 10:44:00 AM Submitted by seabull (66.6.80.18) from TEXAS says gap
   The gap from point to shank must be open - not clogged with bait.

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3. 10/4/01 10:58:00 AM Submitted by R DAVIS from TEXAS says Circle Hooks:
   Farralon and Seabull are both right. Your reel should be left IN GEAR, with the drag set tight enough, that the fish can only pull out line if it pulls hard. This will help assure the hookset. You don't really want them to "run with it" unless they are pulling pretty hard against the drag. It is best to place your rod in a rod holder of some sort to assure the fish will set the hook on itself. ALSO--- VERY important: Make CERTAIN there is not even a single scale or piece of skin on your hook point. If there IS, it will allow the hook to slide right through the fish's mouth without hooking. Always inspect your hook point closely before casting. Learn to use those circle hooks, and you will love em!

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4. 10/5/01 9:18:00 AM Submitted by GrinMachin (216.78.241.219) from FLORIDA says what I do
   I bridle every live bait to circle hooks except when using live crabs. This allows the hook to work 100% the way it's designed. Alot of people will show you how the circle hook works so great by dragging a rigged hook across their hand and showing you how it will always turn and lock onto your hand as if it were the corner of a fishes mouth. As long as you havn't loaded up the hook ,too much, with whatever bait your using, they work great. I only use circles for bottom fishing and Tarpon and always use 13/0s and open them up about a 1/8 inch or so.

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5. 10/5/01 9:56:00 AM Submitted by ArtsNFlies.com from NEW YORK says Circle size
   Stick with the larger size cricles. The 7/0 Gama is one of my favorites.

   You need the larger size in circles so the there is enough gap distance for the point to grab the corner of the fish's mouth. If the gap is too small the hook may pop out rather than grab and pivot.

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6. 10/5/01 9:04:00 PM Submitted by Linesider (208.248.194.14) from VIRGINIA says all the above and.......
   always use hook big enough that you can run your "pinky" finger (sideways) between the barb and shank. If you can't do this, hook is not going to work. I use 5/0 and 7/0 (depending on bait size), EC Circle Sea 2004 hooks on clicker reels. Clicker is controlled freespool, when clicker starts screaming, I simply engage the reel and keep even tension on the fish right into the net. Love those circle hooks! Linesider

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7. 10/6/01 12:55:00 AM Submitted by Tony R (64.12.105.26) from CONNECTICUT says Circles for Stripers
   Use the bigger circles for Stripers, Don't clog the gap with the bait, Run it in free spool or even better with an open bail, Don't let the fish feel much resistance, Give the Striper time to turn the bait and swallow it since they eat their prey head first(let it run to the count of 5.....8 if you are anxious). Set the hook simply by reeling with the rod tip high until you are there. If you suspect the bites are from blues, give the fish a little more time to decimate the bait before it swallows the hook and expect to miss about half of them. If you are fishing with eels the blues will eat them from the tail up. You have to wait for them to get to the head. I have fought Blues for several minutes and gotten them to the boat, only to have them let go. Examination of the eel showed that they were never even hooked in the first place, they just didn't feel like letting go. Circle hooks are the best thing since mono, but you have to be patient. Good luck.

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8. 10/9/01 3:22:00 PM Submitted by Marc (64.12.102.179) from NEW YORK says Another Opinion
   Different circle hooks can be fished differently. I am a big fan of the Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks. These hooks are more forgiving to anglers who cannot resist setting the hook. They are slightly offset which helps the anxious angler. Just like Farralon said before, you should snell this style hook.

   Unlike others, I do not like leaving the rod in the holder. Instead, when chunking, I like to slowly hop the bait back to the boat. When I detect a strike, I slowly lift the rod and reel in line until the line comes tight.

   As for sizes, I think that may depend on bait size as much as anything. With the octopus circles, I tend to use 4/0, 5/0, and 6/0. I think the 5/0 is a good all-around choice. Remember that there is little uniformity in hook size between different styles and brands. One maker's 5/0 hook could be the size of a 3/0 to another.

   When stuck using frozen bait, I don't worry as much about keeping the gap open. Frozen bait can turn to mush once it thaws in the water. I had one of my best outings this year by practically burying the hook in the meaty part of the chunk, taking care to avoid bones. I was outcatching others on the boat who were doing more conventional circle hook baiting. Perhaps the hidden hook kept the fish from sensing something was wrong and spitting the bait. I guess this goes to show that whatever works is the right way!!

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