Using circle hooks

[VernH]

I'd like to hear from those of you who use circle hooks to catch walleyes. I've tried them with mixed results for about two seasons. Sometimes they work well, other times I miss virtually every fish. I tend to believe that the times I miss is when I slip back in to the "set the hook" mode.

Typically I use them for slip sinker rigging with either leeches or crawlers.

What size hooks works best?

[Adam]

You have to snell the hooks if they have offset eyes on them so you create direct pull. I didn't know this until about a year ago when I was reading a free book that came to my house. It's in the Walleye In-sider Secret Series. It's on page #28. I thought it was a nice little tidbit of information.

Always learning here. Adam.

[Tom B]

Another thing that helps for new cicle hook users is to leave your rod in a rod holder until there is a fish on. I carry a variety of sizes and match the hook to the bait. For live bait rigging, I won't use anything but a circle hook.

Tom B

[Kevin/CO]

You might also try to take into consideration the way the fish are hitting. If the fish are grazing (roaming and taking the baitand just slowly swimming off) just be patient and slowly start reeling in the line and he pressure will hook the fish for you. My experience has been if you are getting a hit and run type bite (with slip bobbers it would present as a sudden drowning of the bobber, basically the fish takes the bait and they turns and swims off quickly) a circle hook is not the best hardware choice for you. If you are having a hit and run type bite a nice octopus eye type hook with a reasonable gap and sharp point will be the best bet. That way the hook point will likely sink below the jaw bone and deliver a solid hook set and will also help keep the point exposed with the bait hooked to help make clean hook sets.


I know from persnal experience i fish two rods here in Colo, I use the cast off and periodically check poll with circle hooks because it increase my chances of landing a fish with no hook set but I use what ever hook that best fits the strike type when actively fishing a poll. Hope this helps a bit, atleast gives you some things to think about as to why you are having spotty success.



May your boat always be full of laughter and fish.

[Bob G2]

Under a slip float, I like size 6 Gamakatsu's. Doesn't hurt to have a little more hook gap.