Circle Hook

[clayton86]

I was out yesterday doing some fishing and I was working a wacky rigged senko with a gammy circle hook and I almost gut hooked a bass it was in the soft tissue just befor its stomach. Now befor I get the "u waited to long to set the hook" speach that's not the case here I seen the bass cruising just under the surface so I grabed the senko pitched it right infront of it bout a foot and bam it hit it like a ton of bricks I set the hook instantly. I didn't wait for feel or anything I was using a pumpkin gycb senko in clear water I seen it hit 6inches under the surface. So time wasn't a factor. I thought circle hooks wernt suposed to do this.

[Wayne P.]

You caused the issue. The circle hook is NOT for a hook set application. The circle hook is designed for the fish to catch themselves as they swallow the bait and swim off. When doing that, the bait is pulled out of their throat and the hook grabs the jaw on its way out.

[clayton86]

Well the fish didn't die so that's a plus so idk iv always just reeled up and set the hook like yesterday all the others were hooked like they should be I was just curious. But the hook came out with ease just used my stick I cut a notch in for them such occasions

[SirSnookalot]

I use cricle hooks quite a bit for offshore fishing and I do set the hook, but not in the way it's traditionally done for bass, done more gentler and it's a feel thing, not a lip ripping.

Circle hooks are great but aren't failsafe, bad hookups do happen sometimes. Because of the physical nature of their shape(very short shank) they aren't very effective on certain species of toothy creatures. Fish in the Mackerel family have their teeth right next to each other with no spacing, unlike a pike or cuda where there are gaps between the teeth. When the hook gets placed in the corner of the mouth, the abundance of sharp teeth and a short shank cause lots of cut offs.

[J Francho]

Don't hook set with circle hooks. I experimented with them two years ago, and I simply could not do the reel down and gently pull the hook through. I even tried them in my classes with beginners. It didn't work out well at all. Use a Wide Gap Finesse hook or the Owner Wacky Hooks in 1/0 or 2/0. Then you can just pop them when they bite.

[Crestliner2008]

Whether or not you use circle hooks depends on your preference and style of fishing. I am a staunch believer in them. Some folks just cannot get "in tuned" with the hooks, until they've tried them a time or two. I've been using them, on off-shore structures for smallies, for over 8 seasons now, with nothing but good experiences. However, you have to have the right circle hook to begin with, then set it correctly. And it must be snell-tied to the business end of your line.

Regardless of the brand of hook you choose, it must be an INLINE circle; not offset, as many are. I can't stress this enough, as I almost gave up on them the first season I used them. Then an old saltwater angler clued me in and set me on the right path. The particular hook I prefer using is the Gamakatsu #221311 in size 1/0 (smallest they make in this style). This hook is an inline circle; one of the few on the market today, if you don't get into the larger 4/0 - 10/0 styles, which are all inlines.

I also crimp down the barb on all these hooks, as you do not need them to keep a fish buttoned up, once the hook sets. When I see my line or bobber move, I immediately just start to reel. You will lip hook the majority of the fish you take using this method. I've caught hundreds of smallies this way. And not only a few largemouth, rainbow trout, salmon and lakers as well. In a rare occurrence, one might be hooked a little deeper (usually caused by a fisherman new to using this technique), but is easily unhooked - unharmed - due to the hook not having a barb.

Don't give up on them. They do work and are a boon to CRP fishermen the world over.

[laus]

Why snell hook?

[Sam]

When I fish for catfish I use a circle hook and Wayne P. is totally correct: it sets itself in the corner of the fish's mouth.

I do not use circle hooks for bass fishing.

[Hooligan]

Why snell hook?

Because you don't get the right pull from the eye.

[Bluebasser86]

I used to setline for catfish a lot and always used circle hooks so I could release big fish. Not every fish that bit got hooked in the corner of the mouth and a swallowed circle hook is even harder to remove than a regular hook. Even had one big fish swallow a hook and it went through the top of it's heart and killed it. They are a great tool to catch and release fisherman but they aren't going to work exactly like they are supposed to 100% of the time. I think it's safe to say that fish would have been hooked in the throat with or without a circle hook.