circle hooks

[davem2005]

If circle hooks are just for big stuff... Is that why no one uses em

[Ian Alexander]

Circle Hooks

Hello, Good post John.
Circle hooks are used by commercial longliners for their self hooking properties. I think the reason that they are not that popular with UK anglers is that they are a nightmare to bait up withour convential baits like worms and crab.
Longliners tend to use fish and squid baits for cost and speed reasons.
As Phantom says they are good for livebaiting and there is some excellent reading about circle hooks and livebaiting on Mike Ladles website, look in the "tactics" section.
Operation Sea Angler
Many years ago Alan Chapman caught a superb 20 pound plus cod from Whitburn and if my memory is correct he was using a circle hook.
I may be wrong about this though as I have an increasing tendancy to say and do stupid things.
Hope this is helpfull, regards Ian.

[john/r]

hi ian, yes i know chappa good bloke and angler probaly of used crab for big fish he got hence circle hook would,nt represent a baiting up prob with worms etc, here,s something though been thinking of single circle hook on pulley rig baited crab/ mussle etc but what happens if you use a pennel set up on pulley rig would a top hook circle hook work. to be honest i think i will give the circle hooks a try on pulley rig only with only the one hook
john
ps hows the reel going ian

[alan]

Welcome to NESA Phantom,couple of nice opening posts from you,feel free to leave your catch reports from your area,does'nt matter where you fish still nice to hear whats happening around the UK

[john/r]

hi phantom, as alan says welcome mate enjoy

[Phantom of Hook House]

I've found circle hooks down to a size 1 (can't remember where). Their best use in this country I think is for when a fish will swallow a bait and swim off with it leaving it deep hooked and not likely to survive. Circle hooks will result in a lip hooked fish 95% of the time so are great for catch and release. If I was fishing for the table I'd use them for flatties but not much else. I experimented with them a lot 4-5 years (probably 120+ fishing hours) and would really only use them in the following circumstances:
1. Livebaiting (bass)
2. Flattie bashing to save deep hooking
3. Whiting fishing when there are LOTS about.
4. Black bream fishing from a boat.
5. I really wasn't going to watch my rods and let them self fish(never one this!).

Ah well, on with work and looking forward to Saturday.
Tight lines and thanks for the Hello's .

[marksworld]

i have tried the circle hooks a few times mostly during the summer months and have found they are spot on for crab and musell baits, also been using the semi (pardon the pun) circle hooks, not as round as the others and have had a few fish in calm seas rig used was a pulley rig



cheers
mark

[tubbie2shoes]

Circle Hooks

I experimented with them a few years ago on blyth beach for whiting, had loads of bites, but didn't manage to land any fish. Swopped back to normal hooks and started to land fish. Therefore I drew my own conclusion - stick with what I know works and threw the circle hooks away.