I am an avid fisher of the striped bandits called sheepshead, but unfortunately I have not been able to go try them since the new bottom fishing laws came out stating that we must use circle hooks. My first question is, am I understanding this law correctly? Do we really have to use circle hooks while inshore fishing for them? My second question is, how the heck do you hook one of those critters with a hook thats bent halfway shut??! I thought I lost a lot of bait before…I’m in for it now. All joking aside, is there a certain technique that is required to be able to set the hook while using circle hooks? I have never used a circle hook before so I know NOTHING about them. Any tips would be appreciated.
quote:
Do it big or go home. Second place is just the first loser...
yes, you have to use them…buy one size larger circle hook than a regular J hook you were using…trust me, you can still catch plenty of sheeps on circle hooks…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
It takes a couple of bites to get used to, but we’ve used them exactly once…and boated about 50 sheepshead on them. One happened to be a tournament winning fish.
You don’t have to set the hook, as you are slowly lifting the bait up and down as people often do when sheepshead fishing, you will feel that heavy pressure that’s the sure sign of a fish having taken your bait. Steady firm pressure (not a hook set) should help you boat the fish. The circle hook will work as designed, 98% of the time it ends up in the corner of his mouth. Keep firm pressure for the entire fight and don’t let your line go slack obviously.
Disclaimer:
You will never catch every sheepshead that bites.
Take lots of bait, you’ll need it. Practice makes perfect, you can’t catch them from the couch at home. Get out there and wet a line. Good luck!!
…because everything is a conspiracy!!!
thanks guys, I did manage to catch about 10 but I think I lost 10 fiddlers to every 1 fish I caught. The circle hook def made me use a few choice words, but hey, all the more reason to pack a few extra beers for the next trip. 
10 to 1 ratio is not really that bad! Trust me, ive done way worse…If you get to 5 to 1 on your hook up ratio, congrats…you have it mastered
not that yall need my .02, but have been using a 2/0 eagle claw lazer sharp model L197…Was formally using the owner mutu light circle hook but found this one to hold up a little bit better for me with thier mouth structure…
offshore angler makes a wide gap circle hook that u can fish just like a j hook swing it all u want it is still a circle hook and if looking for them check basspro shop cheap also, 2/0 and 3/0 work the best
the guy with most rods in the water catches the most fish
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Originally posted by ReelHunter
Was formally using the owner mutu light circle hook but found this one to hold up a little bit better for me with thier mouth structure…
traitor 
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org