maxcjs0101 Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 How often do you guys use circle hooks as per the title? And if you do, how do you actually reel the fish in? Am asking as i usually use J hooks and would like to know the hook up rates (i often fish for barramundis/Mangrove Jacks/Snappers) and how to reel it in when you detect a bite. Here are my recent catches during the weekend. Thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westg Posted June 11, 2019 Share Posted June 11, 2019 For bigger fish I am a fan of circle hooks...alot harder for the fish to dislodge....they dont look right..but very effective Nice catch there 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayslay Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 I use circle hooks in south Louisiana for inshore fishing- targeting redfish and trout. But if I bring a newbie on board they get a Kahle hook, since it is self setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40 Palms Posted April 7, 2020 Share Posted April 7, 2020 I use only circle hooks offshore here in SE Florida. I've not noticed any additional loss of fish compared to J hooks I use to use many years ago. The thing about circle hooks is you don't "set the hook" like a J hook. If you do, you'll pull it right out of the fish's mouth. Instead you just reel. That's right, just reel up tight to the fish and keep reeling. You want the hook sliding to the corner of the mouth where the point will grab and fight away. The whole point of circle hooks is to keep from gut hooking the fish. Started in the billfish tournament so the fish could be released unharmed. I've only had a few out of hundreds of fish gut hooked with the circle. And that includes bottom fishing for snapper and grouper along with trolling for sails and dolphin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Used in my younger days in the Keys for snowy grouper with my pop. Fish pretty much hook themselves if you don’t jerk it as 40 Palms described. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfT3 Posted August 12, 2020 Share Posted August 12, 2020 40 Palms hit the nail on the head. We use circles whenever targeting white marlin and have no issues staying hooked up as long as you keep tension on the line and the rod tip up. You open the door to losing the fish whenever you let too much slack into the line, either through the path of the fish/boat or through dropping the rod tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkirk76 Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Would circle hooks be good for a 4 year old when bobber fishing for sunfish? Thinking my son won’t be able to set well at his age, and a circle hook might be a good option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfT3 Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 I’ve never used them for smaller fish but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Cheap enough to pick up a few to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fokker4me Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 I really only use them in shallow water for red drum, with chunks bait on the bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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