What size Circle Hooks for Rigging and Bobbering?

[JiMinneye]

I just read the post below about using circle hooks to avoid gut hooking with live bait rigs. This is a concept that I haven't herd of. I would like to give it a try. What size,style and make of circle hooks work best for lindy rigging and slip bobbering ? Thanks, Jim

[Phil T]

I've been using them for a few years, and learned to use a circle hook one size larger than I would if using a "normal" hook. This is because the gap between the point and shank is smaller with a circle hook.
My local bait shop sells circle hooks with offset shanks, like a Kirby hook style. I found they would still gut-hook fish, unless I twisted the point to line up with the shank(use two pliers for this).

Remember, don't set the hook at first bite indication. Let the fish hook itself when it turns with the baited hook in its mouth or throat. The circle hook will slide until it snags the corner of the fish's mouth. That's why you straightened the offset. If you leave the offset as is, the hook will snag deep in the fish. If you set the hook like your old habits tell you, you'll slide the bait and hook all the way out of the front of the fish's jaws.

[Backwater Eddy]

My rule of thumb is 1-2 sizes larger in a circle hook than you would use in a conventional hook in the same situation. With this said, you will quickly find a wide range of variance in circle hooks of the same rating.

Some have wider gaps when compared to other brands in the same size. Compare Gamakatsu, VMC, EagleClaw, Daiichi, and Owner side by side once in the same rating and see once.

Also, rigging the circle hook barb-less will not diminish your catch. It often increases you catch because you spend less time unhooking fish and you get your bait back in the action faster.

A tip on this system is a longer rod with a moderate to med/light action to insure no slack in the line when playing the fish. A tight barb-less circle hook is hard for a fish to throw.

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson
"ED on the RED"
><,sUMo,>

"I would rather go fishing and think of GOD, Then go to church, and think of FISHING"

*Grandpa Art Carlson*