[Soundfisher]

Hey guys:

For chunking, have any of you used circle hooks? Comparing them to say, O'Shaughnessy hooks or Siwash, what are the pros and cons of these hooks that you've experienced?

Bring on the info!

Soundfisher

 

[wader]

Never used them for chunking - have used them with eels. Works pretty good once you get used to using them.

 

[613687]

I use Octopus circle hooks.
Either a 6/0 or 7/0
I found my hook - up rate improved!
I really like those hooks.
I lost alot of fish using those other
6/0 - 7/0 regular hooks.

 

[bluefishmaster]

I love using circle hooks. I like the idea that I am hooking more fish on the jaw than the gut. Another plus is the Gamakatsu Circle hooks are very sharp already.

I got fish hooking themselves like fools instead of me trying to set the hook. All I do is reel in the slacks and let the fish hook itself. The other hooks gave me huge problems with skates, sharks, and bluefishs. Try taking a hook out of a bluefish or a shark in its gut?

 

[617923]

I also love using circle hooks. I haven't ever gut hooked anythign using them. My favorite one is the Octopus 7/0 circle hook. The only advice I have it to change the way that you set the hook. When I engage the reel the first thing I do is reel the line tight and then set then hook with the rod. If you just pick it up and set the hook I have a tendency to pull it right out or not get as good of a hookset. Just my opinion.

 

[614050]

Been using the Owner Mutu Light Circle hooks in 1/0 since last season. Awesome light wire hook with all the benefits of a circle; the fish catch themselves. Very strong for a thin wire hook, excellent for inshore.

 

[613687]

If you gut hook a fish just cut the Line. Why risk loosing a finger to a bluefish. You can always buy more hooks.
Safety first!

 

[614782]

circle hooks

I also think circle hoos are great. It takes alittle getting use to using them but once you do they are great. I have used them on fluke with some sucess but am not completely sold on them for fluke. Has anyone tried them for fluke? I was also giong to try them on black fish. The quick hit of a black might help with the hook set. Proper hook size has been on of my concerns. Does anyone have any ideas? Lou

 

[619115]

How bout ground species

Anyone use these for ground feeders such
as cod, haddok, wolfs, etc.?

G

 

[619115]

How bout ground species

Anyone use these for ground feeders such
as cod, haddok, wolfs, etc.?

G

 

[Crazy-Al]

When chartering in the past (Striped bass) with friends and family, I used to cringe every time and I saw a gut hooked fish … and that happened often!

Fortunately, the past few years when circle hooks were introduced… we practically had zero gut hooked fish.

What do I think about circle hooks for fluke or blackfish?
Well, for starters, half of the fun fishing for these critters is setting the hooks and for me, the circle hooks would take the fun out of it!

I am talking about bucktailing / jigging for fluke and setting the hook on those feisty / tricky tog! It can be done… (I've tried it… ) but I personally like the old fashioned way better!

"Crazy" Alberto
[email protected]

 

[BD001]

They are the best bet for chunking bass. I have never gut hooked a fish with the circle hooks.

 

[617923]

circle hooks make no sense for a fish like fluke or blackfish as the fisherman should know when the bite happens. There should rarely ever be a gut hooked blackfish or fluke for this reason. Stripers, esspecially when chunking or using a method that involves deadsticking, are the best candidate for using circle hooks in this area because as the this fish runs with the bait it can get it down deep before the hookset is made. Just my 2 cents. Tight lines.

 

[616822]

Lou, I have been tying my own Fluke rigs using the mtu light 3/0 and 4/0 circle hooks for a couple of years. Haven't had 1 gut hook! Catch a lot of fish now "dead sticking" while tending to other duties (removing my wife's fish and re-baiting her hook). You just can't set the hook with the traditional jerk, just let the line come tight and apply some pressure. Love em!