Circle hooks

[Xi Bowhunter]

I will be doing some beach and offshore fishing in October in Florida. I have always used regular style saltwater hooks when fishing with pretty good success. I was told to try a circle hook when bottom fishing to improve my success rate. I have never use a circle hook, so would their be any truth to this? While researching the design, I could see where it would work in theory, but I would like to hear some testimonials from other anglers. The big thing I have found is the overwhelming cry "DON"T SET THE HOOK!!!!" when using a circle hook. It is supposed to set its self, but this is going to be very hard for me to master I think, being a bass fisherman and all. What are YOUR takes and opinions on circle hooks?

[kycowboy]

What they are ---- how they work

Circle hooks have been used by commercial fishermen for decades due to their ability to efficiently catch fish. The principle behind the hook is simple. After the hook has been swallowed the fisher applies pressure to the line, pulling the hook out of the stomach. The unique hook shape causes the hook to slide towards the point of resistance and embed itself in the jaw or in the corner of the fish's mouth. The actual curved shape of the hook keeps the hook from catching in the gut cavity or throat.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/images/187350810 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EDISImagePage?imageID=883684849&dlNumber=SG042&tag=FIGURE 1&credits=) Figure 1.
When to use them

Circle hooks can be used on any species of fish caught on hook and line. Current research is being done on billfish while commercial (grouper/snapper/swordfish) fishermen have been successfully using the hooks for years.

How to use them

Basic Rule: Don't impede the hook with bait; that is, don't put the hook in the bony portions of the bait. See picture below.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/images/1404676976 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EDISImagePage?imageID=1499114874&dlNumber=SG042&tag=FIGURE 2&credits=) Figure 2.
Bottom Fishing

For bottom fishing simply replace your standard hook with a circle hook. When a fish eats the bait allow time for the fish to completely swallow the hook before steadily reeling in the line. DO NOT attempt to set the hook by sharply jerking the rod as this will pull the hook out of the fish's mouth.


Trolling

For trolling it is best to attach the hook to the bait with a rubber band or waxed string. This allows the hook to hang freely above the bait.

Live Baiting

For live bait simply hook the bait through a fleshy part of the fish. This allows the bait to tear loose when the fish strikes.

[Rat]

You are correct in that you don't want to set the hook with circle hooks. As far as hook percentages are concerned I don't believe there is a difference. The Circle hook design came about so that fish would not be gut hooked because the hook will slide out of the stomach. I like to stick to octopus hooks while bottom fishing. IMO - I have missed more fish with circle hooks than with the octopus ones.

[daking]

It's all what you get used to.......

We've used them in FLA a good bit. For an old guy like me to pick up a rod with a fish running with the bait it's kind of hard for me to not "cross his freakin' eyes". When we remeber to let the fish run, lift the rod and start reeling, circle hooks have worked great. It's just hard for this jerk to forget to jerk when the action's hot.

[Xi Bowhunter]

You are correct in that you don't want to set the hook with circle hooks. As far as hook percentages are concerned I don't believe there is a difference. The Circle hook design came about so that fish would not be gut hooked because the hook will slide out of the stomach. I like to stick to octopus hooks while bottom fishing. IMO - I have missed more fish with circle hooks than with the octopus ones.
What is an octopus hook? I have never even heard of one:confused:

[Xi Bowhunter]

It's all what you get used to.......

We've used them in FLA a good bit. For an old guy like me to pick up a rod with a fish running with the bait it's kind of hard for me to not "cross his freakin' eyes". When we remeber to let the fish run, lift the rod and start reeling, circle hooks have worked great. It's just hard for this jerk to forget to jerk when the action's hot.
I'm with you daking, it will be very hard for me not to set the hook, but I am willing to try most anything once if it is in reason.

[daking]

If you fish 'em right they do work great. They also save a lot of fish.

[buckfever]

For offshore fishing, such as billfish, circle hooks make a HUGE difference. The hook-up rate for sailfish and marlin is probably about 75-80% with circle hooks, compared to about 50% with a "J" hook.

There's a reason why every offshore outfitter uses circle hooks.

[Xi Bowhunter]

For offshore fishing, such as billfish, circle hooks make a HUGE difference. The hook-up rate for sailfish and marlin is probably about 75-80% with circle hooks, compared to about 50% with a "J" hook.

There's a reason why every offshore outfitter uses circle hooks.
Is this the same reason NONE of the party boat charters have them onboard? I will be taking my own next time.;)

[KYBOY]

I use circles on "set lines"(limblines,trotlines) a lot. There really prevalent with off shore "longliners". Guys who run what is basically a 10 mile long trotline to catch Tuna,Marlin, etc.. If you use them right they work great and almost always result in a lip or corner of the mouth hooked fish. A octopus circle is basically a more open gapped circle with a up turned eye. I use 8/0 gamagatsu octopus circles for flatheads a lot. Always make sure the gap and point of a circle hook is exposed when rigged with bait.

[quackrstackr]

I used them offshore bottom fishing two years ago. I don't know that I ever hooked a single fish with one.

Went back to the standard hook and started catching fish again. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. ;)

[Killroy]

i fish off of alabamas beaches at least once a year and i only use circle hooks. if the waves cause slack in your line circle hooks are definitely needed. you dont have to worry so much about discerning the pull of the waves from the tug of a fish. one thing i have noticed is many people are saying do not jerk when you get a strike. this is true, but it does not hurt and it increases hooksets if you pull back until your line is tight as you start to reel. works great for cats too. good luck:cool:

[Xi Bowhunter]

i fish off of alabamas beaches at least once a year and i only use circle hooks. if the waves cause slack in your line circle hooks are definitely needed. you dont have to worry so much about discerning the pull of the waves from the tug of a fish. one thing i have noticed is many people are saying do not jerk when you get a strike. this is true, but it does not hurt and it increases hooksets if you pull back until your line is tight as you start to reel. works great for cats too. good luck:cool:
I know what you are saying, sometimes it is difficult to tell between the waves and a bite if it is a smaller fish. I am defiantly going to give these circle hooks a try. I wonder if there are any places around here to buy them so I can try them out here before I leave?

[Redlined]

If you're fishing for large speicies where they take the bait and are gone ,you'll be fine.However,if you're accustomed to bass fishing and expect to catch fish 20 lbs. or under,I'd just stick with the Gamakatsu octupus hooks.The only time we use circles are when we drift fish.In that situation,the baits are on a tight line in rod holders,when a fish takes,by the time you pick up the rod,the tension of the tight line and their intial grab and run,they have usually hooked themselves.FWIW,they almost always get hooked in the corner of the mouth.

[whitleycotrapper]

walmart carries botht the circle hooks and octopus hooks