Circle Hooks And Wacky Worms

[papajoe222]

The past couple of seasons, I've been using circle hooks when I rig up worms for the kids I take fishing.  I really like the fact that they don't need to set the hook (just reel with the rod tip around 11:00) and the kids don't have to deal with gut hooked fish. This year, I started using the octopus circle hooks that Gammy offers for myself when wacky rigging and although it takes a little self control, I have to say that I really like them.  I even started using them on my split shot set-ups with excellent success.  They've all but replaced the finesse wide gap Gammy for me for those two presentations.

Does anyone use circle hooks on a regular basis and if so, what techniques do you use them for?

[Turtle135]

I have not been using them but I have been considering trying them out with weightless flukes on the river for smallmouth bass. I think a nose hooked fluke might be a great application for a circle hook. 

[Preytorien]

I've been giving them an eye, but I'm unfamiliar with their concept or how to use them.

 

Any direction?

[Matthew2000]

I have been using the octopus for years, great for the wacky rig. I do hook a lot of fish in the eye with them though when they are in deeper water or close to the boat. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

I have been using the octopus for years, great for the wacky rig. I do hook a lot of fish in the eye with them though when they are in deeper water or close to the boat. 

that's not good ...

[Big Bait Fishing]

i'd rather hook a fish in the top of it's mouth rather then the corner , less chance of tearing the mouth , it's why i use Owner wacky hooks only for wacky presentations .

[BaitMonkey1984]

I got into bait casters last year and purchased 7 new combos this winter. d**n bait monkey. My go to before the bait caster change was a 5" wacky rigged GYCB senko in watermelon creme. I always brought a few rods out but most times out but  would throw exclusively that for 5+ years. I only use the octopus or circle hooks now, and forget what I used before then.

 

I did recall noticing a great increase in getting the fish into the boat. The Gammys are my favorite but VMC also has good hooks too, which are much more cost effective if you fish light line and rocky bottoms. With the amount of times I break off, I do not notice a big enough difference to continue using Gammys unless they are on sale.  If you are fishing areas where you do not break off, Gammy stay sharper longer.

[gulfcaptain]

I've used them for Wacky rigging, but they also make great dropshot hooks as well since all you have to do is reel.

[Topwaterspook]

Papajoe, I whole-heartedly agree. Those octopus hooks work great for a wacky rig. The only problem I have, is when I take a short bit of # 18 copper wire and weight the center of a senko type bait. This sometimes presents a problem having the fish hook themselves. That is when I return to using a larger hook for better clearance.

[the reel ess]

I got some after hooking several fish in that fleshy part at the back of the throat. But I haven't been getting ANY bites on the wacky rig since I bought them.

[NathanW]

I don't use them. I understand the benefits as I used to do a lot of trout, salmon and a little walleye before I got hooked on bass fishing. There is risk and reward. The risk is that you wont hook up with as many fish the reward is that you wont lose as many fish once you get them on. I like a straight shank hook that I can hammer into the top of the fishes mouth. I think I am a little too trigger happy for circle/octopus for bass fishing.

[poisonokie]

I have been using the octopus for years, great for the wacky rig. I do hook a lot of fish in the eye with them though when they are in deeper water or close to the boat. 

 

That won't happen if you use inline circles. Kerbed points do that every time. Just bend it back in line with your needle nose before you rig.

[cottny27]

Went fishing with a friend who accidentally bought the circle octopus hook for weightless fluke fishing.  He couldn't hook anything because he could not stop himself from setting the hook.  Once he switched to the regular octopus hook he was fine.  I guess it would take some getting use to just reeling up the slack.  

[Will Wetline]

A couple years ago I read that few bass get hooked deep when using circle hooks so I tried them for wacky rigged Senkos. Results have been great.

 

Try a Gamakatsu size 1 circle hook for the 4" Senko and a 1/0 for the 5". When you get a pick up, tighten the line to the fish then reel fast to set. You will likely find the hook secure in a corner of the bass's mouth.

 

Remember, you do not want to sweep set or "cross the eyes" with a hookset using a circle hook. Just tighten the line and reel.

 

[bassguytom]

I like the octopus hook better then the circle octopus when wacky rigging. I seem to hook up more on the octopus.

[MickD]

I've used both and prefer the octopus.  Just reeling in the slack until the fish sets the hook against the tension is just not consistent with my "personality."  That is how you are supposed to fish a circle.  If you are "setting the hook" your hook-up rate will not be as good as just taking up the slack (with the circle).  Previous posts seem to equate the octopus and the circle, but they are different.  A traditional hook set is right for the octopus.  Keep in mind that with turned up or down eyes, a snell knot is better than just tying it on with a normal knot-gets the pull in line with the hook point.

 

If you are getting fish swallowing your plastic I think you are not feeling the fish well or not seeing your line twitch.  I know fish can sometimes be very subtle, but if this is happening regularly, something is wrong in the technique or tackle.  With braid and a FC leader on a hi modulus rod I just cannot remember the last time I had a swallow.  I don't know what's going on with the eye hooks, don't get that either.