Circle hooks…A "No-Brainer"!

[Jeff Soto]

Since I found out about these hooks a couple years ago (I may have an older post on this site),  these are the ONLY bait hook that I use now for panfish.  I used to hate it when a fish would swallow the hook and either get hooked in the throat or worse, get gut hooked!  90% of the fish I catch are released, so by using these hooks I don't worry about harming my catch.  When a fish takes your bait and then turns to swim away with it in their closed mouth, the sharp curve of the hook point almost always get hooked in the corner of their mouths.  (see photo) Even if the hook gets swallowed,  it can't find penetration again because of that sharply curved hook point!  Now when the hook gets pulled out toward the "lips" of the mouth, it will turn and penetrate the corner of the mouth. The other cool thing is that you do not have to "set the hook".  When you get a bite, just start reeling them in.  The fish hook themselves!  It's great for ice fishing, drifting or slow trolling too.   Awesome for kids that never seem to set the hook.  I really would like everyone that reads this to get themselves some of these hooks and give them a try.  I think you'll be quite pleased-  

[Slip Sinker]

.... while teaching the G'Sons on bobber fishing off the docks i started using these hooks... i believe i read a couple posts off this site and one of them may have been yours. I took the suggestion and teaching kids how to fish with this hook simplifies immensely. I use the lazor sharp too as you recommend in the same sizes.

I have this hook permanently installed on my slip bobber search rig… I cast the search rig out and will lose sight of it for moments while fishing with another rig and that’s when the dreaded swallowed hook may result. I had an incident last season where I landed a quality gill on a night crawler bit with this circle hook. The fish still came in deeply gutted. I wasn’t planning on keep[ing any fish that outing so I was kinda ticked. So I filled up the live well and pulled the line with a quick little snap and the hook pulled right out of its gut without hanging. I put the fish in the live well for a while to observe it without any injury.

Love using them. They saved a ton of fish from bleeding out.

The only thing I miss with this system is the solid little hook set.

[dick tabbert]

Nice discussion Jeff and examples. I can't really say what I think of them. I did manage to buy a few packs in the 4, 6, 8s  a couple years ago but have yet to get to the lake and try them out. I have herd people raving  over them which is why I bought them but my fishing schedule leave a lot to the imagination.

[John Sheehan]

I want to try the circle hooks .Thanks Jeff ! Want to get some 1and 1/0's and try them on Bullheads too.

[Gary Boysen]

Wish I read this yesterday morning, Slip. I was at the tackle shop getting gear yesterday. I'll pick up some of these and give it a try. I only catch and release and I left quite a number of hooks down the throat of panfish this past season. A longer shank Aberdeen hook helps, but this is worth a try.

[Steve Wilson]

   Gary..... Janns Netcraft  has a selection of circle hooks, if you don't have them locally............http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/circle-fish-hooks/820519.aspx

[Gary Boysen]

Thanks, Steve.

[Kelly Peterson]

Have never used a circle hook, never even owned one but will buy them in a heartbeat if they eliminate cut hooking. How difficult is it to put live bait on these hooks?

Can see how leeches can be used but worms/nightcrawlers might be a little difficult?

Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

[Jeff Soto]

Well, a very late reply is better than no reply.  Yes it is a little harder to put live bait on a small circle hook.  I use sizes 8 and 10 and fish mostly with crickets.  I hook them thru their abdomens, at the tip of their "butt".  It just takes a little more time, but it is so worth it.  (found out that the largest crickets can bite you!)  If you are using worms;  mealworms, earthworms, waxworks, these are easier because they are more pliable/bendable.. easier to get that curved hook point into the bait.   Everyone needs to use circle hooks.  Nothing worse than telling your granddaughter that "we will let all the fish go back into their home unharmed"..  only to have one get gut-hooked and start bleeding all over the place!