Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I finally received my Octopus "Circle" hooks yesterday. (no one near me sells them)  They are not circle hooks, and still have a barb. Do you think if I bent the tip inwards and filed off the barb, it would make them circle hooks? 

Views: 352

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Circle hooks have barbs. If you bend the hook you may compromise the strength of it. The barb should be left as is so it can't be easily dislodged from the fishes jaw. The CIRCLE in circle hook derives from the obvious circle like shape (when compared to a typical hook) and the 'offset' from the shank that enable the hook to basically 'set itself'
Hope this helps you out
Rob
If you want to go barbless (I usually do--it makes releasing easier), try pinching the barb down with a needle-nose plier. The barb might break off, or you can mash it down to the shank and have a practically barbless hook without weakening the shank. Works for me.
That's a good idea Jimmy. Works better than the 30 minutes I spent trying to file it off along with my skin
I decided I didn't like circle hooks, mostly because the shaft is so short. And, contrary to popular belief, the fish swallow them just as easily as other hooks. So, what's the point?

I just purchased some Gamagatsu circle hooks in size 8 to try for the exact purpose of trying not to kill bream that swallowed the hook.   The hook is supposed to be self hooking in the corner of the fishes mouth.  The hooks I received had an offset that I figured would still catch in the fishes gullet if it swallowed the hook so I straightened the offset so that the point was aligned with the shaft.  Only managed to catch one red ear about 8" long that had enough time to swallow the hook as I was fishing deep.  It was hooked perfectly in the corner of it's mount.

 

More testing to follow.  I had three wax worms on the hook a bait, by the way.

 

John

All I use for bait-fishing is circle hooks. I seldom use bait for bream, so I've never tried circles for them. But, for saltwater/catfish circles are the way to go. The ones I get don't have barbs, but I almost never can find any non-offset. Even with this I've never had a gut hook with them. What methods are you using with them? I've always done the weight it down and sit method when they are in use.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Multi Panfish
"hit a spin Jig.9""
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Thursday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Piscatorial Pursuit of Perch
"Fall Perch on big Crank Bait:"
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Piscatorial Pursuit of Perch
"It amazes me how big a bait a late Summer/ Fall Perch will take! "
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

octcbp2

"It amazes me how big a bait a late Summer/ Fall Perch will take! "
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on Wade Jones's group Crappie Crew
"2024 Crappie Fall catches from shore. Live Grubs, Gulp 1" Minnow, 2" paddle Tail Minnow…"
Nov 26
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 19
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 16
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 14
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

11cupsawc

"Crappie have always impressed me with the way they look! A very fond memory is the first one I…"
Nov 13
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

11cupsawc

"More beautiful golden Fall colors on the Black Crappie…..nice fish!"
Nov 12
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

cupsawbg9bs

"Nice gill on the beetle spin!"
Nov 12
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

cupsawc

"Like the calico colors of the Fall…..nice crappie John!"
Nov 12
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Nov 11
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 10
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

STCrappie

"You bet Bruce! Fishing for an hour to an hour and a half each day I 've been getting three or…"
Nov 10
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

STCrappie

"About a dozen of those would be great! Nice crappies."
Nov 10
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

466097223_10236349245411317_8266863466993619288_n

"Top: Shimano Sensilite 5'6"Rod /Daiwa Spinmatic Reel. Trilene clear xl 2# test…"
Nov 9
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 8

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service