More and more anglers, along with light-tackle Bay captains, are using and suggesting circle hooks to those for whom a “J” hook has been the only hook choice. “J” hooks are straight-shank hooks with the point parallel to the shank, while oval-shaped circle hooks have a curved shank and point at right angles to the hook shank.
The hook choice centers around the species on which hooks are used, how those species hit bait or lures, and the use of circle hooks in both bait rigs and lures. They are now required for all bait rigs in billfish tournaments as of Jan. 1, 2007.
Circle-hook design is as old as ancient shell Polynesian fishing hooks. Historians posit that the design went to the Orient, then was used by commercial long-liners and now is promoted as a better way for catch-and-release of many species.
The bent-point circle hooks are ideal for bait, since they allow a swallowed bait to slide out of the stomach as the fish runs, then catch in the corner of the mouth to prevent serious injury. They are a must for catch-and-release bait fishing.
Thus, circle hooks are ideal for live-lining spot for stripers, cut-bait fishing, drifting shiners in southern-style largemouth bass fishing, catfishing, and chunking bait for tuna, carp fishing with doughballs, chumming, or any fishing with prepared or cut bait.
Circle hooks also work with some lures, as Capt. Norm Bartlett has discovered in years of fishing light-tackle clients in the Bay. He uses and promotes circle-hook flies, fly-rod poppers, jigs and other single-hook lures.
They do not work well on “attacked” lures such as bass-fishing buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, top-water lures, crankbaits or spinners. The same applies when using spinners or small spoons for trout, jigging spoons for stripers and trolling lures for pike. These hard-hit lures almost always end up in the mouth with little serious flesh damage.
Similarly, circle hooks are not required in crash-and-slash fishing when stripers and blues (sometimes largemouth) are surging after surface bait. When “J” hooks and “J” hook lures are used, basic strike methods still apply.
When circle hooks are used, the key to solid and constant hook-ups is to NOT set the hook. Basic hook-setting that we have been taught since barely knee-high to a tackle box is out. OUT!
The secret of circle-hook use is to let the fish turn with the bait or lure, then slowly and gradually tighten the line to allow the hook to slide to the mouth corner. Presto ? fish on!
Think of it as “do-nothing” bait fishing. Set a light drag, do nothing and you get a good hook-up. As fishing and conservation writer George Reiger said, “It?s a wonderfully lazy way to fish.”
Best of all, it works, with wonderful catch results, and fish that are easily and safely released.
C. Boyd Pfeiffer is an internationally known sportsman and award-winning writer on fishing, hunting, and the outdoors, and is currently working on his 25th book. He can be reached at [email protected].
