Well, tis the time of year again, and the sailfish bite will soon be here. Just wanted to take a poll here…
ow do you connect your circle hooks to the leader? Snelling and /or crimps? Please give your answer and why?
I’m curious on this one, and would this crimps offer more free flowing movement on the circle hook, and thus allow for a higher hook up ratio…Thoughts???
Just my $.02:
The circle hook should not have free flow, but should be stiff in line with the leader to “complete the circle.” If there is play in the leader, the hook will not pivot in the joint of the fish’s mouth.
Additionally, I think (but have no proof since we usually snell) that play in the hook would make it harder for a ballyhoo to swim properly too. J-hook baits are wrapped tightly with wire or rubber bands to keep them in line with the leader and pulling from the head, which is what the snell does to leader too. With too much play at the hook, the circle baits could spin or worse, foul themselves which leads to lost fish.
You can crimp circle hooks to the leader, which is sometimes done with heavy mono, but the line is run through the eye, around the hook and back out of the eye, with the crimp right in front of the hook eye.
Always make sure that the leader comes out on the same side of the eye as the hook point (going back to the “completing the circle” thing above).