View Full Version : Circle Hooks
I started Ice fishing with circle hooks this year and I was 2 for 2 with hook sets until this past weekend. This last weekend I caught one fish that fell off the hook in the fish house, one that got off at the bottom of the hole and 2 that I felt and were gone. I am using #6 hooks and am not setting the hook.
I have just about lost faith, please guide me, should I give up or should I keep trying with poor confidence?
MN
Be patient -
Circle hooks work on the principal that the hook needs to be in the corner of the fishes mouth. In general, the best way to get the hook in the corner of the mouth, is to let the fish take the hook, then be patient, until the fish turns and swims away.
Once the fish turns and swims away, the hook will pull to the corner of his mouth, and will be easily netted or gaffed. However, if you are impatient and try to pull the fish up, before he has turned, the hook will simply be pulled out from the center of his mouth or throat. The hook has to get to the corner of his mouth to effect a hook.
Take care
REW
This is pretty standard with Circle hooks. When everything is right you can't miss, let it get tough and they're junk. Save your money and stick with a good Octopus style hook.
Use whatever kind of hook you have faith in, but fish beside a guy who has faith in circle hooks. Make a few friendly long term side bets to keep it interesting. Keep score of hits/misses/swallowed hooks/ etc. and keep us informed. Have fun.
Bob Z
12-28-2000, 10:07 AM
I had great luck this year fishing with circle hooks for perch on Lake Erie. It took some experimentation. I did not 'set the hook' but after a short count I just lifted the rod to put a bend in it. I also found that a more gentle retreive was needed - I was losing fish half way to the surface and when bringing them into the boat.
It took some getting used to but I will be using them again next year. Smaller fish returned to the water were in far better shape than when using regular hooks.
I took some 1/0, 2/0 and 3/0 circle hooks with me to the Sea of Cortez over Thanksgiving. They did a nice job on tuna with live bait. Got every one in the corner of the mouth. Quite a thrill on spinning gear.