Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

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-  

Views: 1298

Attachments:

Replies to This Discussion

.... 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.

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.

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

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.

   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

Thanks, Steve.
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

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!

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

A Flock of Ibis Roost on a Duck Blind Near Back Bay, North Carolina….11/5/2024

These birds pass through and feed in the shallow marshes….cold weather will push them south…but we…
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Joe’s Personal Best Yellow Perch….11/3/2024

"Thanks Bruce ….Joe was very excited to get his hands on this perch……I started…"
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Joe’s Personal Best Yellow Perch….11/3/2024

"Thanks Dick….fish like this give you motivation to make a few more casts even on a very…"
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Few More Gills From Today…..11/3/2024

"Thanks Dick…..it’s slowing like you would expect in the Fall….but with…"
Tuesday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Joe’s Personal Best Yellow Perch….11/3/2024

"Wow, I'd take them all day long."
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Few More Gills From Today…..11/3/2024

"Looks like your still into some great fish Jeffrey."
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Joe’s Personal Best Yellow Perch….11/3/2024

"Thanks John….Joe was very excited to see this fish…..I had just said we should see a…"
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

IMPKLICKER p

"oh Brown Bullheads too"
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Joe and I faced a strong northeast wind at first light this morning, mixed bag totaling 37 fish including Joe’s personal best Yellow Perch.."
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

ocsj

"Nice crappie on the squirrel tail……"
Sunday
John Sheehan posted a photo

ocsj

Another Squirrel Tail/Spin Jig Crappie.
Sunday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

Colorado blades

"They all have squirrel tails tied on—even the earlier ones."
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

Colorado blades

"Looks like Squirrel tail on those Trebles, like the good ol' Mepps Spinners. Nice job, Dick!…"
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

IMPKLICKER p

"Yes Dick, Shepherds Lake a State Park Lake that is spring fed has many Pickerel. Several Flats with…"
Saturday

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service