Circle Hooks.

[Guest @AUTUMN@]

Does anyone use them?, and could somebody recommend a decent brand please.

[skippytheroo]

I thought circle hooks were for boat fishing where you are feeling for the fish taking the bait. Half the time when shore fishing IMHO the fish could be dangiling on the hook for several minutes before you decide to reel in.....having weighed up whether its the tide/surf pulling on your huge 6/0 loaded with lug squid crab and mussel......weed on your leader/ swivel......... your lead springing loose and bouncing the rod tip as it bounds around in the surf

[Guest @AUTUMN@]

Lol . Dont worry m8 youll get used to weed, and wave bites before long. Have you fished this week??

[Newt]

Skippy - if all goes well and your rig is working, circle hooks should be self hooking in most cases and while I haven't used them for sea shore sessions, they do well for me in all conditions as long as the fish has a bone ridge around the mouth (as opposed to sucker-mouth fish.

 

@AUTUMN@ - I can highly recommend both the Gamakatsu and Owner circles. I prefer the Gammy Octopus Circle but since that's what I normally use, it may be just a habit thing. Both brands are chemical sharp right out of the package and I don't recall having any of them fail (break, bend, etc.) with a fish.

[Norm B]

Skippy - if all goes well and your rig is working, circle hooks should be self hooking in most cases and while I haven't used them for sea shore sessions, they do well for me in all conditions as long as the fish has a bone ridge around the mouth (as opposed to sucker-mouth fish.

 

@AUTUMN@ - I can highly recommend both the Gamakatsu and Owner circles. I prefer the Gammy Octopus Circle but since that's what I normally use, it may be just a habit thing. Both brands are chemical sharp right out of the package and I don't recall having any of them fail (break, bend, etc.) with a fish.

Both the Gamakatsu and Owner are super hooks, Gamakatsu are marketed here by Daiwa and I believe they now, or shortly will have, the full range of circle hooks. Mustad now do a range of circle hooks too, I have what I think is the full range. Definately worth trying them.

[Tony U]

I am convinced by the circle hook argument and have bought some of the mustad model but how do you bait them with worm?

I have tried baiting needles the lot but it is not easy, never mind at night with cold wet slimy hands so at the meoment I am only using them with crab and fish baits.

Edited November 16, 2005 by Tony U

[Guest @AUTUMN@]

What are the advantages of circle hooks?

[A Norfolk Boy]

I've used semi-circles with worm.

 

Circle hooks are supposed to hook the fish in the mouth rather than deep. Must say, it seems to work with the semis I have used (Varivas).

[Grant]

I have used semi- circle Owner ones for conger from the shore, and very impressed.

 

Struggled using them with anything else but fish baits when going for more 'normal' fish.

[Guest CJS2]

Read with interest your views on 'Circle hooks'. My experience is not good, dificult to bait with whole squid, imposible with worm, and the hook up ratio is poor? OK, I'm ready to be conviced, they do seem to do well in the hands of some anglers. One of my boat partners was using a 'semi circle' at the week end, I was impressed with his hook up rate and no deep hooks! He had not got the packet with him!!**!!**.

However, they were a destinctve red in colour, and looked like a '?' in shape, eye on the dot, and baited easily. Any one got any ideas? Thanks

Edited November 16, 2005 by CJS2