circle hooks

[Dick Dastardly]

Thanks for that Newt.I liked this model and may get some of these to try for my other fishing-

 

http://www.sakuma.co.uk/p/442/sakuma-450-chinu-hooks

[fishtec1312]

I love Eels mate, best fighting fish imho and thats what fishing is all about for me. Fooling the fish into taking a sharp pointy, baited piece of metal and then the challenge of bringing it in on suitable gear.

My target for this year is a 3lb broads Eel.

 

Renrag

 

Edit: Yes you can. I got the sakuma? ones off of eBay. I use the 12's with a lump of cheesepaste and a biro spring usually. Going to try popped up paste on a corkball next.

i said if eels were a problem,good for you if you fish for them ,you will treat them with respect they deserve

[Newt]

I agree Budgie. Look worth a try for the sucker mouth fish like carp and buffalo for sure. May have to order a few of those as well.

[Renrag39]

Thanks Newt, will give them a looksee very soon methinks.

Sorry I put you on a more pricey pack Budgie, didn't think to gurgle them. Ooops.

 

Thanks for the tip though fishtec, might have to stuff some pva bags with roadkill as an attractor. Can't see that causing any problems on the broads. I certainly try do that, unfortunately there will inevitably be casualties but I find the circle hooks reduce the risk considerably so far.

 

Renrag

[Dick Dastardly]

Thanks Newt, will give them a looksee very soon methinks.

Sorry I put you on a more pricey pack Budgie, didn't think to gurgle them. Ooops.

 

Thanks for the tip though fishtec, might have to stuff some pva bags with roadkill as an attractor. Can't see that causing any problems on the broads. I certainly try do that, unfortunately there will inevitably be casualties but I find the circle hooks reduce the risk considerably so far.

 

Renrag

 

That's not a problem mate I only got a packet of a couple of the small sizes to try.Thanks for putting us on to a supplier.As Newt says we've both been looking for smaller sizes for some time.

 

For some years I have been using "T bar" rigs for eels to help prevent deep hooking (once again not 100%) Have you tried these yet? There has also been a move in recent years to "self hooking/bolt" rigs for eels to try and prevent this as well.Ive not really given them much of a go but reckon they could be the way forward.

 

Good to see a bit of interest in the old eel as although we have several eel specialists on AN but sadly most seem to just lurk and leap on any talk as eels for bait or periodically lecture us on the demise of the eel rather than join in any discussion or add anything helpful!

Edited June 15, 2011 by BUDGIE

[Renrag39]

Glad I helped you both in some way.

 

Not as of yet, I have seen the diagrams though and will make a few 'T' hooklengths up for when I directly target Eels, anything to reduce deep-hooking on them.

 

Btw, am I doing this right?- I usually let any bait on a circle hook bite positively, then just lift the rod smoothly into the run that almost always develops, I just give the slightest 'jerk' when I feel the weight of the fish to set the hook properly. I use a free running link leger to a 1 1/2oz to 2oz lead on anything from a 4" link to 4' with various hooklengths beyond the leger stop and bead, of up to 6'.

 

I will have to give bolt rigs a try in search of a greater catch rate, I have never used one. For any species.

I really need to expand my repertoire, its about time I think.

 

My next eel 'project' is popped up paste round a chunk of cork, I just want to test if it makes a difference in any way.

 

Are there? Wish they would share some more then.

 

Renrag

Edited June 15, 2011 by Renrag39

[Dick Dastardly]

Well they might have been a few pence more but I'm seriously impressed with the service as they arrived today!

 

Normally circle hooks are "very big for their size" and that's why I had been looking out for sometime for smaller sizes..............sods law these are not!! As such neither the 10's or the 12's will be any good for my eeling! Also they are fine wire! (I'm sure these will be spot on for trying for other species so if anyone wants them let me know).

 

I'm going to re order some from the same people in 8/6 and look at those.I had fancied the heavier wired ones but after checking they are only available in 4/0 upwards.

 

Normally the best way to set a circle is not to strike but just wind down to the fish and keep winding! Striking usually results in a missed bite as the hook is pulled straight out of the mouth.

 

Easy enough to get used to when fishing for fish that give a run but really difficult to get used to if float fishing! Ask Newt how bad I did when we were float fishing for Bluegills! Breaking the habit of striking when the float stabbed under after doing so for 40 plus years was nigh on impossible!

[Newt]

Winding down or a steady lift is certainly the best way to hook a fish with circles but I'm in the same boat as you Budgie - really hard to get the muscles to forget striking when the float vanishes.

 

Renrag, you would love float fishing for bluegills over here. Greedy idiots with no fear and good fighters once hooked. The only problem is the way they want to swallow a bait clear back to their tail. Circles are the only hooks I'll use for them now since otherwise so many are deep hooked that its not much fun.

[Renrag39]

They may be fine wire Budgie (I felt it was quite a stout wire myself lol) but I vouch for their strength if you think that may be an issue. I used a six with my much loved cheesepaste and banked a 10lb (ish) pike with no distortion at all to the wire shape. And I did bully it some too! I've had medium wire hooks of a similar size flex open on mere bream when dispensing with finesse.

The way a circle hook 'holds' a fish lends itself to the strengths of the metal used. Torsional and lateral strength of any metal as a wire is not great but due to the crook shape I think the chances of the point flexing to the point of distortion are slim indeed. I think the wire is also compressed in to a slight bar form too (not positive they are though), also resisting flexing. However if I am after pike, I use my 3/0's.

 

Sorry again, I didn't realise circle hook size varied at all.

 

Hmm, need to refine my technique I think. Like you guys, I find it hard to shake the muscle memory. Don't help myself though as I quivertip at the same time and it becomes a case of reaction versus cognitive action and self restraint. Something I'm very much lacking.

 

One day Newt, I may well take you up on the challenge if the opportunity presents itself.

That WOULD be an experience I'm sure, I've heard bluegill are particularly feisty little buggers

 

Renrag

Edited June 15, 2011 by Renrag39

[Dick Dastardly]

For some time now when intentionally fishing for eels Ive subscribed to the view that the fish I'm really after will be a real lump! as such (like a lot of eel anglers) I use tackle that on face value seems well OTT! ie 3lb TC rods,15lb line and wire/Quicksilver hook lengths.Well OTT for most of the eels I catch but will be needed if ever I hook the one that I don't want to loose!

 

As such I have to look at a pretty solid hook.I agree about the design helping with this and should thing the size 8 or 6's Ive ordered should be ok...will soon find out!

 

You mentioned fishing/trying popped up baits. An awful lot of eels Ive caught have been caught well off the bottom on CD rigs and similar so its strange how many regard them as only a bottom feeder. At the last AN Fish In I targeted eels and used two rods on JS rigs on the bottom and one on a CD rig at various depths from around 2'-4' off the deck.Runs were pretty well split between the two methods. I was using worm this time but when using lives Ive found that often closer to the surface than the bottom can be the best!