06-18-2003, 02:50 PM
[cool]![[Image: p012179hz03.jpg]](http://a1460.g.akamai.net/f/1460/1339/6h/www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Pod/01/21/79/p012179hz03.jpg)
There is a lot of discussion ongoing about the merits of circle hooks. These strange-looking contraptions have been used for years, by commercial fishermen, who needed hooks that would help the fish hook themselves, and then prevent them from coming unhooked easily. Every fish means money to the commercial boys.
Sports anglers also discovered that circle hooks had a place in the tackle box. Since they tend to lodge only in the corner of a fish's mouth, they result in fewer gut-hooked fish. But, because of their design, they also require a different "hook set". With circle hooks you do not rear back and cross their eyes. You let the fish pull the line tight and then just start reeling. The hook does what it is supposed to do...find the fish's corner of their mouth...and it embeds itself.
Although these contraptions were designed for bait fishing, an increasing number of fly tyers are also wrapping big saltwater patterns on circle hooks. Again, the trick is to let the fish turn and start heading away from you before tightening the line. They have not proven to be as effective on spinners and spoons.
One other limitation of circle hooks is that they work better for larger fish. Circle hooks small enough to fish salmon eggs or power bait simply do not have enough of a gap to count on a good ratio of hookups to bites. There will always be a need for small hooks with regular super-sharp points.
So, if you care about the survival rate of fish you release, after catching them on bait, you might want to add a few circle hooks to your hook supply and give them a try. They are absolutely great for catfish...especially when you are bank fishing and snoozing at night. The fish hook themselves, you don't have to dig for the hooks (or cut them off), and once they are hooked they seldom come unbuttoned.
TubeDude
[signature]
There is a lot of discussion ongoing about the merits of circle hooks. These strange-looking contraptions have been used for years, by commercial fishermen, who needed hooks that would help the fish hook themselves, and then prevent them from coming unhooked easily. Every fish means money to the commercial boys. Sports anglers also discovered that circle hooks had a place in the tackle box. Since they tend to lodge only in the corner of a fish's mouth, they result in fewer gut-hooked fish. But, because of their design, they also require a different "hook set". With circle hooks you do not rear back and cross their eyes. You let the fish pull the line tight and then just start reeling. The hook does what it is supposed to do...find the fish's corner of their mouth...and it embeds itself.
Although these contraptions were designed for bait fishing, an increasing number of fly tyers are also wrapping big saltwater patterns on circle hooks. Again, the trick is to let the fish turn and start heading away from you before tightening the line. They have not proven to be as effective on spinners and spoons.
One other limitation of circle hooks is that they work better for larger fish. Circle hooks small enough to fish salmon eggs or power bait simply do not have enough of a gap to count on a good ratio of hookups to bites. There will always be a need for small hooks with regular super-sharp points.
So, if you care about the survival rate of fish you release, after catching them on bait, you might want to add a few circle hooks to your hook supply and give them a try. They are absolutely great for catfish...especially when you are bank fishing and snoozing at night. The fish hook themselves, you don't have to dig for the hooks (or cut them off), and once they are hooked they seldom come unbuttoned.
TubeDude
[signature]