I have gotten a couple questions about the bouncer rigs and whether or not you’ll get in trouble if not using circle hooks.
Let me first say that circle hooks are great. Fish generally get hooked in an area of their mouths that makes them more catchable and more “releaseable.” Remember if you want to catch stuff like snapper that should be released then leave the electric reel at home. Take it easy on them… learn how to vent fish properly and use a dehooker. You do not have to touch these fish except via your hook and a venting tool. I enjoy catching red snapper more than almost all other fish. I used to enjoy eating them also, but that doesn’t take away from me watching them swim away and enjoying that also.
There is not a disadvantage to using circle hooks as long as you learn proper technique and use hooks with the right geometry, strength and sharpness. There are some hooks I could put on a rig that would prevent you from catching fish… but I have learned they’re better off left on the rack for whatever else they were intended for.
The only drawback of circle hooks is the lack of high quality circle hook designs that fit my needs. This is what I was talking about when I mentioned hunting for a needle in the haystack in local stores at times. There are a few that I’ve found that I can get to work well. Devil’s in the details. I spend too much time and $ on getting a chance to fish, and when I get out there you can bet that I will be using the best hook I can find.
So why are cheaper generic hooks on the bouncer rig? Because it’s a moving rig fishing for the most aggressive species and I want to keep it cheap and simple for a fish that shouldn’t be difficult for anyone to catch. I know a lot of people start out bottom fishing by fishing for c bass. I did. I didn’t use circle hooks until I was used to J hooks, and there was a learning curve involved. Circle hooks have to be fished differently. It is hard to explain without showing someone in person… the fish has to hook itself for lack of a
