Hook Up Ratio With Circle Hooks?

[BassinMidWest]

I saw a study a few years back done by IGFA that showed the effectiveness of circle hooks for different species for fish - Fresh and Salt water.

One thing that really stood out to me was that it showed that the hook up ratio with circle hooks was not very high with largemouth.

Since then I've never really used them much. I don't gut hook to many, so never really considered it a problem. But if I could eliminate gut hooking all together, that would be great. BUT... I don't want my hook up ratio to go down at all. I know you're suppose to use a slow sweep to set the hook rather then a hard jerk like you typically use.

Any of yall made a switch from wide gap finesse hooks to circle hooks for your wacky rigging? Have you noticed a decrease or increase in your hook up ratio?

Thanks for any help!

[BassinMidWest]

Couldn't find the info I saw a few years ago, but found this...

[Crestliner2008]

I've used circle hooks mostly when slip bobber fishing for smallies over deep structures. And for a lot of years. Have never experienced a significant problem with hook-ups. I even crimp down the barbs (no need for them). A quality in-line circle will do you right. They should be equally as effective for LM. For sure, the mortality rate will go way down.

[B-Dozer]

I only use circle hooks when wacky rigging. I've never had a problem with hook ups.

[BassinMidWest]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Crestline, what the difference between a regular circle hook and an "in-line" circle hook, and what advantages do they offer?

[jeepnkal]

I use owner circle hooks for most of my presentations; wacky, neko and ika. I dont think ive lost more fish, actually I think I have hooked more because circle hooks generally set themselves. I crimp my barbs down just in case I do gut hook one, they come out easy.

[Bassn Blvd]

The number one reason why people miss hook-ups with circle hooks is because you're not supposed to set the hook in the normal fashion. All you have to is just start reeling or lust lift the rod and the hook does the rest. Circle hooks, used properly, have a very high hook-up ratio.

[NorcalBassin]

...lust lift the rod and the hook does the rest.

BB- Not familiar with this technique, can you elaborate?

[Bluebasser86]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Crestline, what the difference between a regular circle hook and an "in-line" circle hook, and what advantages do they offer?

I believe the difference is that some circle hooks are offset and some are in-line. Offset circles tend to have a bend at the eye and if you look at the hook from the back the hook point will be off to the side of the hook shank. If you do the same thing with an in-line circle hook the point will point directly in towards the hook shank. The offset ones are popular for setlines for catfish around here but the in-line ones seem to be more popular for wacky rigging for bass. I don't personally use them for bass so I can't swear that is 100% accurate. I've seen lots and lots of bass missed on circle hooks on wacky rigs fishing tournaments so I just stick to wide gap finesse hooks.

[SirSnookalot]

Circle hooks are great, but not for all species. I fish cut or live bait offshore quite a bit, hookup ratio is low with toothy creatures, shank is too short resulting in more cut offs than hookups. For non toothy critters and small toothed ones circles are hard to beat.

[Crestliner2008]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Crestline, what the difference between a regular circle hook and an "in-line" circle hook, and what advantages do they offer?

Bluebasser is spot on. With in-line circle hooks, the point is inline with the eye of the hook - no offset. These offset style circle hooks will have a tendency to catch deeper in the mouth than the true in-line variety. This is a benefit for catfishermen and some salt water species as well. But not for bass. Go with the in-line variety.

As far as "setting" the circle hook goes, all you do is start reeling them in! These hooks will set themselves. There is no need (and an actual detriment) for any kind of "hook set" with circle hooks. 9/10, if you jerk, you loose the fish. This is where the circle got it's undeserved reputation for loosing fish. The actual design is about as perfect as anything you can ask for in a bass hook. JMO!

[Dave P]

No issues with hookups here. I used them for wacky rigging and dropshot. Probably only missed a handfull all year. Just reel to set the hook.

[BassinMidWest]

Thanks guys. I think I'll get some to try.

One thought though. It seems like sweeping the rod slowly rather then setting the hook would loose more fish that spit the thing out of there mouth before the get the actual point of the hook. But if they work, they work! No need for a reason!

[roadwarrior]

Wrong.

The "reason" is that the bait is taken down in the throat, but the hook

slides up when pressure is applied. 95% of the time, the hook lodges in

the jaw joint. "Hook-up ratio" approaches 100%. As already stated, misses

are the result of a traditional "hook-set". For a lot of guys, this is just

impossible!

I use #6 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks exclusively.

[FL_Sharpshooter]

You never want to set the hook when using circles. Wait for the fish to take off running, they set the hook themselves. Being bass fisherman, it is hard to be patient until you feel that fish running. I love circles, I think they help my catch ratio, especially using them for wacky rigged senkos and exclusively for catfish.

[bitsandbass]

I'm planning to rig a 4 inch YUM Dinger to a circle hook and dead stick under a bobber.  What size circle hook do you guys recommend?  Thanks.

[georgeyew]

35 minutes ago, bitsandbass said:

I'm planning to rig a 4 inch YUM Dinger to a circle hook and dead stick under a bobber.  What size circle hook do you guys recommend?  Thanks.

 

I personally use 2/0 and 3/0. But anything from size 3 to 1/0 should work if you want to keep it on the smaller side.

[bitsandbass]

6 minutes ago, georgeyew said:

 

I personally use 2/0 and 3/0. But anything from size 3 to 1/0 should work if you want to keep it on the smaller side.

 

Im fishing a pond with really small bass (maybe like 7 inches?).  I think I should go with 1/0.  Thanks.

[bitsandbass]

Any recommendation for a 1/0 hook?  I want to use these for 4 inch YUM worms and maybe shiners if I decide to catch them down the road.

 

I see BPS sells Gamakatsu Nautilus hooks which are popular in the reviews.  Would this be a good choice?  TY.

 

 

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

I've had good luck with the Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks. They're thinner wire with a wide gap and very sharp. 

[Crestliner2008]

For almost a dozen years now I've been using the Gamakatsu In-Line Oct Circle in size 1/0. Now this hook has an "up turned" eye. With this design I snell the hook vs. tying direct to the eye of the hook. Extremely effective for wacky rigging a Senko (any size) under a slip bobber. When the bobber goes down, you just start reeling. The fish will be hook solid and in the right place.

 

I pre-tie a bunch of these snelled leaders ahead of time, to facilitate changing quickly. Any hook will have to be re-tied after no more than 3 bass have been caught. Bass teeth are extremely abrasive to fishing line - of any kind.

 

I've caught a lot of bass, lake trout, salmon and rainbow trout on this hook and have no reservations about highly recommending it.

 

 

[Will Wetline]

For wacky rigging a 4" soft stick bait I use a size 1 Gamakatsu Octopus circle hook and go up to a 1/0 when fishing a 5".

 

When I switched to circles several seasons back, I'd remind myself to simply reel down until I felt the fish then reel, understanding the way these hooks work as roadwarrior explained above. Do not sweep set!

 

Here's a funny memory of my first take on a circle hook: The smallie grabbed the Senko and ran like a bass outa hell! I missed this speedster because the hook pulled out when the line tightened up. After that experience though, my hook up ratio has been high.