what is the best way to hook fish using circle hooks
I use them for Reds with cut bait. Just put the rod in the holder and let the fish hook themselves. For BSB and sheaps I just give the rod a slow lift and let the fish do the rest. Do not set the hook as if you were bass fishing.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
Yep, don’t jerk, just let the line come tight and reel.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
The beautiful thing about fishing with Circle Hooks, they hook themselves
Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous
setting the hook on a j hook is half the fun. but circle hooks are better for fish so i compromise i have 4 rods on the boat 2 j hooks and 2 circles, normally my j hooks are bobbers though which circle hooks dont work for…
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the mud minnow.
I only fish circle hooks. I troll for wahoo, tuna, marlin all with circles. I also bottom fishing with them. As stated above let the fish take line. For bottom fishing I count to five and just start reeling. If you try to set the hook you will just pull it. You must be patient with circles. Also Yakman don’t want to start and argument, but I go for mako all the time up here in the north. I use 18/0 circle hooks non-offset under floats and have no issue with hook up. In fact my hook up ratio has gone up and I don’t use and steel cable just a 15 ft 500lb mono lead. I understand your love for j hook and the fell of setting the hook, but circles will work under a bobber. Just let the fish take the bait a little longer. Like I said not trying start and argument, just want to help.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
yes but i tried to fish circles under a float for reds and i they just wouldnt take it. i eventually had to set the hook with the circle hook and that wasnt pretty to get out. i like setting the hook and all but whats better for fish is better for me. ill give it another shot when the season for corks comes around in my spots. it does work for sharks though if i fish a balloon because the force sets it up right but not for reds or trout in my case…
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the mud minnow.
Yakeman what size hook are you using?
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
it depends, normally size 3 or possibly 4 circle hooks but depends on bait. a 2/0 j hook is my normal hook for all types of fishing on sheeps reds trout and flatties
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the mud minnow.
hook them right in the mouth…
where else are you going to hook them?
xHCFCx
Fish are too valuable to be caught only once.
oh stretch you smart@$$ haha
Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous
Yakman sounds like you have the right size. Stick with what works for you. If you do try them again let the fish take more line and leave the reel in feel spool or if a baitrunner use that mode.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
You cannot go by circle hook description as each brand has different ideas on size. If you are using too small of a circle or too large you will lose some fish. Rodney Rodholder catches a lot of fish. Go to one of the local shops and compare the hooks and ask for advice. We do not know what size you are actually using because we don’t know the make and model. JMHO:smiley:
Marsha
35 Contender
Marsha good point. Don’t know why I forgot that part.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
The rod I am NOT holding usually seems to be the one that hooks up so I think there is a lot of wisdom in what marshgrass says.