CTFishTalk.com: Circle hooks - Connecticut Saltwater ( CT Saltwater ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

tiehug20 · Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 23

Made my first trip out to LIS today. Launched in Clinton and ran into the bass less that 2 miles from take off. Caught several 30s and lost a few, including a monster. I started fishing circle hooks last year and have had good success with hook placement. After speaking with some other people who use them I came to the conclusion that I still need to set the hook. It seems like I am still losing a few everytime I go out. Just wondering if anyone is using these hooks, and how they are setting them?

tiehug20 · Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 23

FYI - I'm using eels, line line, or chunking

Sea Duck · Joined: 18 Nov 2012 Posts: 89 Location: Above grade

The design of a circle hook relies on the fish being turned sideways in relation to the line. If you set them and the fish is facing you at the moment the hook reaches it's mouth, it will miss. If your line is tight and the fish is swimming, the hook will find the side of the mouth without a set, unless he swimming backwards.
You can probably set an offset circle with mixed results but can just as easily gut hook with them.
You may be missing large fish if your hooks are small as the gap between the point and the shank is reduced on a circle hook. For bass or blues an 8/0 would not be too large. Measure and compare hook gap and try a few sizes.
GL
SD
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Redneckangler · Joined: 05 May 2012 Posts: 851 Location: Meriden, CT

Good job. Wish I was out today. Water is clearing nicely. The circle is designed to roll and catch in the corner of the jaw. If you try and set before the hook naturally sets, you will pull it. Once you see you rod go, wait until you feel the fish pull. Your not going for the sudden, Bassmaster hookset. Put a good hard, steady pull to make sure that hook bites all the way through. USE SHARP HOOKS! I use them on all my live bait from stripers to tunas, as well as with some Hogy soft plastics. Hookup ratios are great. Just be patient, as the fish isn't going to gut hook itself.
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PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

An octopus circle hook is less likely to gut hook a fish, because the point is bent inward. It usually only catches when it's drawn over the lip of a fish. For largemouth and smallmouth bass, I particularly like Number 4 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle hooks. The other day, I hooked every single one of more than a dozen fish in the upper lip or corner of the mouth. I use a fairly gentle hookset with a wacky rig when I feel the fish pick up the lure and almost never gut hook any. I've found that I can feel the bite with fluorocarbon fishing line even when there's slack in the line. With braid, I have to watch the line on the surface of the water to detect the bite when there's slack in it.
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fishguy81 · Joined: 28 Apr 2013 Posts: 17 Location: Rocky Hill

Always such good info on this site. Thanks guys! What size hooks do you recommend for stripers? I usual fish with bunker chunks.

dogfishhead · Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Posts: 82 Location: Cromwell

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Got em!!

dogfishhead · Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Posts: 82 Location: Cromwell

Crest Daddy · Joined: 20 Jan 2011 Posts: 994

Circle hook for stripers? 10/0 at least !
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Pauleye · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 129

I was an early convert to circle hooks and use them for all my saltwater. I have a much higher hook-up percentage with them and I don't set the hook. Wait till the line goes tight and start reeling. The hook sets itself especially when the boat is being pulled by tide.

Gamakatsu octopus circle or Owner Mutu Light Circle hooks.