Circle hooks

[Mudking]

Has anybodys used circle hooks for walleye fishing- would like your input on how they work best.

[Goldpig]

I have used them both for bobber fishing and live bait rigging and like them. I especially like not having to dig out hooks or cut my line when it gets in their stomach. It takes awhile to get used to not setting the hook like you normally would, but worth the frustration.

[MN]

I tried them ice fishing with a bobber, missed to many, had to change back.

MN

[CMB]

THEY HAVE SAVED THE LIVES OF SEVERAL PERCH FOR ME LAST FALL. SEEMED TO HOLD BAIT BETTER ALSO, LESS EMPTY RETRIVES

[Hans]

I use them for rigging, and love 'em. The hookup is more reliable, and fish are a *LOT* easier to release without harm.


Hans

[Spinner]

Used them last year for the first time on some of my rigs. Didn't lose any fish. Just understand that you don't set the hook...that seems to be the hard part.

[Eyelander]

I tryed them about 2 years ago and I never went back to conventional hooks. I fish size 4 VMC or Gamagatsu (RED) with bullet weights about 16 " up from hook with med to lg shiner. I usually let it sit and every minute or two drag across the bottom
Like someone else mentioned you got to get used to the hook set
When I feel a walleye tug back I'll actually put the rod tip down and let him swallow it good then set the hook you will find the hook usually sets on the edge of the mouth instead of down inside . This will increase your chances of not losing fish because the line brushed across those razor sharp teeth.

These hooks are really sharp too. I don't lose those big eyes and muskys any more!!!!!
Enjoy!!
FTW
IHO
SER
H#L
##D

[Ernie]

I have a number ready for rigging. It does take a bit to get used to not setting the hook. They work very well for my young son, who has a tendancy to 'dead stick' - not on purpose, but he sets his rod down to dig in the tackle box, have a snack, or tinker with something. He was dozing off with the rod in his hand and hooked up a 6+lber - hooked right in the corner of the mouth. Some articles that I have read have suggested the 'dead stick' approach when using circle hooks for rigging.
I have used them in the fall when using larger minnows. There seems to be plenty of space in the curve of the hook to hold the bait, exposing the point, when still using a relatively small hook. You would probably have to use a more conventional hook style that is one or two sizes larger to effectively present the same bait. I still use the octopus Gamakatsus (sp) and Aberdeen style hooks in other presentations.

I think the circle hooks have their place and would recommend you give them a try. You need to find out if they work for the presentations that you use in the conditions that you fish.

[jk]

Use your sofest tip rod let the fish take the bait, don't be in a hurry to set the hook-minutes. They work get if used properly, just like everything else does.

[Eyelander]

I was fishing the susquehanna river from shore the other day and I had rigged up one rod with a big bobber and a gamagatsu octupus (neon pink) with a large shiner, the river was up pretty high and I was fishing a nice backwater along the edge of some rapids.
I lobbed it out there and went to riggin up my other rod for jiggin and I looked up to see where my bobber was I looked and looked... and looked..... I jumped for my pole the line was slack so I thought it might of been stuck on a log or somethin But ya never know I pulled up the slack real slow and felt a tug I set the hook ( or just drove the point deeper into it's mouth) and what a fight I had on my hands 45 inch musky!!!! I repeated this process and caught 2 more a 30 and a 34 ! I 've never been much for bobbers but after that day I may just have one pole rigged with a bobber more often than not.

[GORD]

I'm sold on these things. They work great. A good feature is they don't snag very often because the hook point is not exposed.

[Backwater Eddy]

Gamakatsu Nautilus circle's are the best I have used, and I use a lot of hooks guiding for cats and walleye.

I CPR 98% of all my fish and a healthy CPR is critical, they work.

Backwater Eddy