Circle Hook vs J Hook

[MichaelAngelo]

Two articles with opposing view points:

Circle Hooks increase catch rates:
http://www.fishing.sh/htmfiles/hookrepor...lling.html

Circle Hooks lower catch rates:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/201...113330.htm

Either way, circle hooks are safer for the fish.

One take-away point for me was the benefits of snelling the hook such that it rides the line on an angle.

[MikeH]

(05-04-2012 01:38 PM)MichaelAngelo Wrote:  Circle Hooks lower catch rates:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/201...113330.htm

WTF? Who puts a circle hook onto a open loop knot, as shown in that article....?

Snelling it on gets you the lever action when its pulled on by the fish.

[OldTimer]

Hey,

The Circle hook design isnt really all that new, just the name is a bit more popular currently.

The geometry is similar to a offset wide gap Bait Holder, or a Kahle.

However, I do agree that in certain types of bait fishing, and with certain species the circle hook will increase hook set %.

In my fishing gut hooking happens at times with all types of hooks............ and I've seen it more often with less experienced anglers who didnt feel the fish take the bait - allowing the fish time to swallow the hook completely.

Settling on one single type of hook would be unwise for most fisherman.

I do use circle hooks,......... but when bait fishing in fresh water I more regularly use bait holders, and in the salt I choose Kahles or offset turning wide gaps for the small sizes and old school J hooks in the whopping big sizes.

Dig the many types just available from just 1 manufacturer:

http://www.eagleclaw.com/site/products/e...ssic-hooks

Cheers,

OldTimer

[MuskieBait]

Circle hooks are not 100% fool proof. When I was fishing in Florida, I was using 5/0 circle hooks with live pinfish for grouper. Even a 2lb grouper had a large enough mouth to gulp a 6" pinfish. I probably deep hooked 50% of the groupers.

Interestingly, I've been using #10 circle hooks for bowfin and yet to gut hook one. That #10 hook is so small compared to the wide mouth of bowfin.

Believe it or not, small 4-5" sunfish can also be hooked with the same #10 circle hooks, and every time, the fish was hooked on the lips and never deep hooked.

For small fish using bait, I do like to use baitholder hooks. You just have to pay attention for any bite signals and set quickly enough so you don't allow time for the fish to swallow the hook deep.

[beaser]

Thank you gentlemen (MichaelAngelo, Mike, Old Timer and Smallmouth) This is what I had in mind when i posted my hook question. I need a few of the basics as well so I'll let that post stand.

I did searches and came up flat

Thank you
Beas

[OldTimer]

(08-28-2012 02:36 PM)beaser Wrote:  Thank you gentlemen (MichaelAngelo, Mike, Old Timer and Smallmouth) This is what I had in mind when i posted my hook question. I need a few of the basics as well so I'll let that post stand.

I did searches and came up flat

Thank you
Beas

Hey,

I'll be posting a wee article on hook types and selection for bait fishing - in answer to the your other thread in a day or so.... hopefully...

Regards,

OldTimer