Circle Hooks For Inshore/Island Use ?

[crazy hawaiian]

[QUOTE=goodrick;1447132]I have bought some circle hooks, but have been afraid to try them out. They just don't look like they would hook. I can't wrap my brain around the motion that will "set" the hook. Does anybody know of a video on-line or some sort of animation that can show me what I can't visualize?QUOTE]

Circle hooks are priceless, especially in the live release of fish.

As far as "visualizing", never have seen any film that shows how they work, but they do work as evident of their popularity on long range boats.

The biggest failure in circle hooks are not the hook themselves, it's in the failure in the fisherman that uses them. It's the fight against our basic instinct to pull back when we fell a tug on the other end of the line.

With circles just wind down the slack and the hook will do it's magic.

[LAChamp]

Must use circle hooks for Snapper fishing now in the Gulf of Mexico off LA. New law started, I believe last year. It was very easy to learn to use them. Had to keep telling myself not to pull at strike, just turn the handle. Been fishing snapper for years with J hooks and we did just as good with circles.

[shortbite]

I have bought some circle hooks, but have been afraid to try them out. They just don't look like they would hook.

Ok, very simple, tie the circle hook and put in your hand, now close your hand and pull the line, you'll get it!

[johndtuttle]

Originally Posted by goodrick

I have bought some circle hooks, but have been afraid to try them out. They just don't look like they would hook. I can't wrap my brain around the motion that will "set" the hook. Does anybody know of a video on-line or some sort of animation that can show me what I can't visualize?

When it comes to hook applications, the only information that I have seen that I thought presented a comprehensive look at hooks was in an Eagle Claw brochure that I picked up at the Fred Hall show earlier this year. Without that, I would still be mostly clueless, short of seeing what the guy catching the most fish on the boat is doing. Now, I am only partly clueless. :-)

no set, no swing, no quick motion with the rod of any kind. Just reel tight (not even fast reeling just your regular wind) and give an easy lift. With live bait once picked up and the fish is moving off simply put it in gear. If the hook is the right size (big enough) for the fish you are targeting it ends up in the corner of the jaw hooked right behind the ring of cartilage that forms the mouth/lips. Bigger hooks for bigger fish to ensure enough tissue is grabbed/it can span the lip cartilage and to support the needed drag to land the fish. The slow set ensures the hook slides to the right position and the fish turning away from the pressure ensures the point penetrates.

Fishing dropper loops for Rock Fish/Snapper with multiple flys/baited hooks do nothing at all and the fish will hook themselves as they turn away from the weight of your sinker, then their buddies will pile on. Easy Money just a little more work to wind up .

[bward]

circle hooks are legit for almost everything. fish don't come off those things and neither does bait.

[bward]

Originally Posted by shortbite

I have bought some circle hooks, but have been afraid to try them out. They just don't look like they would hook.

Ok, very simple, tie the circle hook and put in your hand, now close your hand and pull the line, you'll get it!

the whole idea is that hooks don't lodge in the fishes stomach. fish grab and turn away, pulling out of the stomach and into the lip securely. works great for catch and release as no major damage is done to the fish internally while trying to pry your $0.30 hook out of its gut or cutting your line and leaving an unwanted internal piercing.