Circle Hooks??

[Kaz]

I'm wondering if any of you have used Circle Hooks for Walleye?? I used them this winter for salt water fishing and they seemed to work OK. Most, if not all of the fish we caught and released were hooked in the corner of the mouth. This makes for a very easy release and mortality rate must of been reduced. We didn't have to set the hook either, which seened to catch most all of the bites we had. I need some input as I'm now ordering my supplies for the up coming season. Gitting ANTSY FOR OPEN WATER....Kaz

[Juls_WI]

Kaz,
I've had good success with the circle hooks while using slip bobbers. I haven't tried them with harnesses, so I don't know how well they would work in that instance yet. I do plan on trying that this year though.

Juls

[BlackSilver]

Salt water? They got walleyes in salt water? Or were you fishing for rough fish?

Welcome back, stranger!

All seriousness aside, I've been using Gamatzu (spelled wrong) for all my rigging harnesses for a couple years now. You have to discipline yourself not to cross their eyes with your hookset, but once you re-train yourself a little bit, you hardy ever lose a fish and they're never killed by gut-hooking. I love 'em.

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[Kaz]

Juls: Thanks for the info. I'll check with you at Millac's on the 5/19 after the contest. I plan to be there to see how you and Steve do with only a 2" slot limit. I've known Steve for a long time. Good luck to both of you.....Kaz

[Kaz]

Hi Hans: Yah, they call them by a funny differant name though. When I see you at the next TCFM meeting I'll show you pictures. Bring some of the harness's you have tied, I like to see how you did it. And YES it's good to be back in MN....Waiting FOR OPEN WATER....Kaz

[TK_551]

I have tried Circle Hooks when dead sticking. They work pretty well. I have not applied them with other techniques though.

Tom
#551

[JMC]

Made up some harnesses with circle hooks last year for my wife. She was losing a lot of eyes due to poor hook sets. They did the trick, lost few with circle hooks, all were hooked in the corner of the mouth, no foul-hooks. She landed her 1st 10 pounder on them, now I'm making all her harnesses with them this year. I still can't get use to them though, still want to set the hook. Guess that's why she always out fishes me.

Joe

[Zeek]

JMC;
What size hooks have you found to work the best?

Zeek

[JMC]

Eagle Featherlite #2 & #4 last.

Joe

[eye_guide]

I use circles for slip bobbering, lindy rigging and on my dead rods. I love em. The hook up percentage is higher and the mortality rate is lower as was said. I've tried them on spinners but didn't have that great of luck personally so I stayed with regular hooks there.

I have converted alot of clients to circle hooks after just a day or two of use. Give em a try. Once you get used to em they'll convince you.

[jimbo]

kaz,
Glad to see ya made it back. Got some nice eyes last friday on the river.
jimbo

[Kaz]

Thanks All: Thanks for the Info as I will be tying some harness' tonight for those GREAT LOTW Walleyes. Keep YOUR HOOKS SHARP....Kaz

[LundBob]

These circle hooks sound like they would work perfectly with kids. Nothing is more frustrating for them than setting the hook. They don't know how hard is too hard or most of the time they don't set the hook at all and you just hope the fish hooked themselves. I will definetly be giving this a try on all my kids setups.

LundBob

[flattseyetaker]

Juls, Do you employ a different hook setting tactic or lack there of when slip bobber fishing? Could you include the length/action of rod you use for the application. Thanks in advance.

[Fishless]

I tied some for my kid's on a Canadian trip last year. The kid's were getting "picked" alot prior to using the circle hooks. They started catching every fish - just reeled in! The problem for me was, I switched back and forth and always had to "think" before I set (or not set). I suggest, give it a try one trip (non-fishing spouses and kid's in particular - or anyone having trouble setting the hook) they work wonders and every fish was lightly hooked in the corner of the mouth.

[Fishless]

Eye-guy,

Any idea why the difference using spinners? I've just started putting them on spinner rigs but would like to know before I tie too many.

[Kaz]

Jim: I tried to "E" you and it came back!!! Send me a "E" so I can get your new address. Regards Dick

[Randy G 2]

Dick: Next time we have Bagels together ask me about circle hooks. I have had great luck with them last year. 24 consecutive hook ups with out loosing a fish, all varieties. I am cleaning my boat getting ready to sell it this weekend. See you soon.

Randy G 2