Circle Hooks?

[papajoe222]

So my grandson is getting into fishing, but like most six year olds he has a short attention span.  I've taken other children out at this age and I find the area that I loose my cool isnt the attention span, it's the gut hooked fish that result from it.  I was thinking of using circle hooks in an attempt to reduce that occurance and maintain my enjoyment while teaching the little guy.  My concern lies in the fact that children rarely listen at the most critical of times. I'm talking about the hook set and playing the fish.  I don't know how many times I instructed my own children to "set the hook like I showed you." Forget playing the fish and enjoying the fight. You'd swear they beleive the faster you get the fish in, the better. 

I'm rambling.

My question is; How forgiving are circle hooks when it comes to hooking. I doubt very seriously that he'll remember to keep his rod tip up and reel. Heck, I still want to and occasionally do, rear back and try to cross their eyes when using them. So do they do a decent job if your rod is at 3:00 or if he tries to mimick Papa?

[cbfishalot]

My daughter has been using a circle hook since she was 5.  Its a perfect hook for kids wacky rigging a senko.     

[frogflogger]

Countless tourists who never fished before - o-ring whacky rigged stiko's - circle hooks - just reel - bass live to fight another day - everyone happy.

[georgeyew]

I think that circle hooks are perfect for kids. The usually don't know that there is a fish on the hook. So when the fish swims off, it gets hooked automatically. One of the best fool proof way to fish.

[Mike L]

I have this same thing happen everytime I visit my grandkids in Tex.

Im here now and took the 10 and 6 yr old last night to a pond in the subdivision they live in and we always have the same conversation.

I rigged a wacky worm on a 2/0 circle hook and gave it to the 6 yr old and told him to just start reeling when he feels a pull...He said "but Papa you pull up first, I want to do that too"

I asked him if he wanted to catch a fish or play with it..He said "I want to do what you do" !!!

Mike

[Crestliner2008]

Good choice going for the circle hook design. It will definitely improve chances of a healthy release. However, as you said, it they've learned to "set the hook", then they are going to hate circles! They will miss a lot of fish by crossing their eyes. If, on the other hand, they can learn to just reel the fish in and not set the hook, then the entire experience will be much better.

 

BTW, try to select "INLINE" circles, vs. the off-set variety. They work a lot better in achieving your goal.

[Mike L]

Good choice going for the circle hook design. It will definitely improve chances of a healthy release. However, as you said, it they've learned to "set the hook", then they are going to hate circles! They will miss a lot of fish by crossing their eyes. If, on the other hand, they can learn to just reel the fish in and not set the hook, then the entire experience will be much better.

 

BTW, try to select "INLINE" circles, vs. the off-set variety. They work a lot better in achieving your goal.

Mmmmm

Good suggestion, Thanks

Mike

[bassin is addicting]

circle hooks are a great idea to help with what you are doing.

since they want to mimick you and your hooksets.....maybe...you could use circle hooks too... ?

 

i find when i take grandsons or kids in the neighborhood, anymore i actually try to fish less and just watch and enjoy them more.  they sure can be entertaining (and yes, frustrating too)..lol.. some of my best memories are when my son was young and the stuff he did... we still talk about it.....10 years ago, he actually rigged a senko "wacky" before i had even heard about it...and caught a 4lb'er.  that was just how he put the hook in the worm...lol