"C" & Wide Gap Hooks

[MobyGrape]

Are circle & wide gap hooks basically the same type of hook? I have an assortment of each & they look very similar.

[tcbass]

I would like to know this too. 

[riverbasser]

I have no idea what wide gap hooks you have but they are very different. EWG hooks were made for Texas rigging soft plastics that have a thick body allowing the hook extend past the plastic upon hook set.

 

Circle hooks (I believe) were originally made for live bait. The hook point is directed inward which drastically decreases gut hooking fish. They catch the corner of the mouth on the hook set. 

[J Francho]

Finesse Wide Gap:

 

Octopus Circle hook

 

Notice the hook points.  Different hook sets.  You reel set the Corcle hook, while you sweel set the former Wide gap hook.

 

[riverbasser]

Thanks @J Francho 

 

His question makes more sense to me now. I wasn't aware of finesse wide gaps

[tcbass]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

Finesse Wide Gap:

 

Octopus Circle hook

 

Notice the hook points.  Different hook sets.  You reel set the Corcle hook, while you sweel set the former Wide gap hook.

 

 

 

Wouldn't circle hooks be better because you don't need a huge sweeping hook set?

[J Francho]

My experience has been that circle hooks suck.  You'll get 20 others that will say otherwise.  I really don't know many bass anglers that use them.  They're a waste of time, if you ask me.  I thought the same as you, and tried them in my classes.  Most of the students were having issues hooking up.  I thought it would be easier for them, but that wasn't the case.  The hooks do not "hook themselves," and driving the hook point with steady pressure is difficult for a new angler.  Often they are excited, and set the by instinct.  The Wide Gap Finesse hook works much better in that circumstance.  GO ahead and try the circles.  Be prepared for tears.

[HeavyDluxe]

29 minutes ago, J Francho said:

My experience has been that circle hooks suck.  You'll get 20 others that will say otherwise.  I really don't know many bass anglers that use them.  They're a waste of time, if you ask me.

 

I don't disagree, but I'd just add a word about what they're designed for... Circle hooks were originally intended for use with natural or live bait.  We've all read the posts about gut-hooking a largemouth with your EWG hooked plastic, but fish swallow even harder on live bait.

 

So, circle hooks suck for bait presentations where the hook doesn't start deep in the fish's maw.  But, for those kinda presentations/baits, it can help with the health of the fish after the fight.

 

For my part, I don't see any reason to use circle hooks when fishing with artificials.  

 

[J Francho]

9 minutes ago, HeavyDluxe said:

Circle hooks were originally intended for use with natural or live bait.

 

Exactly!  Good point to bring up.