SUBJECT: # 37910: Are circle hooks worth it?

Submitted by Donald (152.163.189.235) from FLORIDA on 9/5/02 5:05:00 PM

Do circle hooks really increase hook-ups, and do they really help to protect the fish? If so, what would be a good size and brand to use for flats fishing? I fish for trout, reds, snook, cobia, and jacks. I need some opinions. Thanks

1. 9/5/02 8:07:00 PM Submitted by Carl (64.12.96.233) from ALABAMA says Circle Hooks
   For bottom fishing (grouper, snapper, AJs) they definately are worth it & keep you from deep hooking fish.

   However, I'm undecided on inshore fishing. I think they would work great for jacks & cobia because the way they hit & run, giving the hook time & the power to dig in. The really light wire ones may work well for specs & reds.

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2. 9/6/02 10:38:00 AM Submitted by danny (168.11.90.251) from GEORGIA says For whiting...
   I tried 3/0 circles yesterday while whiting fishing and caught every bite. It was amazing. I don't believe I missed a fish. I just let the fish take it for a few seconds and started reeling it in. I haven't tried them for trout yet though.

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3. 9/6/02 5:11:00 PM Submitted by DavidS (204.149.20.50) from TEXAS says Circles definitely work for trout, reds
   I now use circle hooks exclusively for trout, reds, sheepshead fishing inshore. I use 2/0 (EagleClaw or Gammakatsu sizes; manufacturers' size designations seem to be different) for shrimp, 4/0 or 5/0 for cut/live finfish.

   Like it says on the EagleClaw package, all you need to do is smoothly apply tension and the hook will do the rest. At first you may miss a lot of fish until you break your old hooksetting habits. With circles, you don't need or want to use a sharp jerk to set the hook; that pulls the hook out of the fish's mouth without giving the point an opportunity to roll into position on the jaw.

   Unlike J, Kahle, or offset hook patterns, the bend keeps the circle's point shielded by the shank while the shank is inside the fish's mouth. Only when the line draws the shank back out of the mouth is the fish's jaw presented to the point. Once the point is engaged, it leads the jaw past the barb to the bend; that fish is yours unless you break his jaw or your line. If you pull too suddenly, the hook zips past that position too fast to make the turn.

   Circles definitely reduce gut-hooking unless you let the fish run slack line too long and swallow the bait deeply. Fishing from a holder with only the clicker I deephooked a few with circles; that hasn't happened yet with the reel engaged, they hookup in the jaw quickly when they take off.

   First time I had my buddy try the same circles I was using, he missed dozens of fish while I caught every trout and sheepshead that bit. When he finally forced himself NOT to set the hook the "old" way, he hooked 'em all, too.

   Circles work best on fish that take the bait whole; trout, reds, drum, jacks, ladyfish all do, as will sheepshead if you give them time to pull the float under. Kingfish like to bite off chunks and their jawbone is too wide for small circle hooks; only tried circles on kings once, won't happen again. Unlike danny above, I haven't had good luck with circles on whiting; I think they tend to nibble their way up the bait. Ditto for little hardheads (which ain't such a bad thing), but the bigger ones hook up annoyingly well. Can't comment on cobia or snook, but they should work well if my reasoning above is correct.

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4. 9/8/02 5:50:00 PM Submitted by Capt. Ken Roy (64.132.240.130) from FLORIDA says Circles vs Offset Circles
   Offset circles gut hook a lot of fish if you let them run too much. I use the old stand-by Mustad style #39960ST, the same hook I started using nearly 50 years ago.

   I've tried other styles including the super expensive "YUPPIE" hooks and prefer the Mustads every time. I use 12/0 for Grouper, Cobia, and larger Snapper. I sometimes drop back to a 10/0 for smaller Snapper.

   I catch a dozen or more Tarpon on the 12/0 Mustad every year along with 150 or so Cobia. I use the same hook in size 20/0 for Jewfish.

   I'd really like to know how many Grouper I have caught or those that have been caught on my boat in these nearly 50 years.

   I've caught at least 50 Sailfish on these hooks while bottom fishing.

   The biggest problem folks have with circle hooks is caused by choking the gap of the hook with bait. You can't hide a circle hook in a bait and catch fish on it.

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