Circle Hooks

[beng]

Whilst in Singapore i came across hooks called circle hooks, that have turned-in tips. The tips point inwards towards the shank and the overall shape is more circular than normal hooks.

They are supposed to cause fish to hook themselves when swimming away with the bait, and also to result in more lip-hooked and less gut-hooked fish.

I have tested them and found that they do work very well. However even circle hooks can get caught in a fish stomach or in the gills, though this is less common than with normal hooks.

Usually the fish hooks itself from the drag of the float or sinker and striking is often not necessary. In fact striking hard tends to jerk the hook out without hooking the fish.

Instead of jerking the rod up, it is better to pull gently in the opposite direction to the direction the fish is swimming in, as though you have already hooked it and are trying to turn it around or stop a run.

Mustad, Owner, and other manufacturers all have circle hook designs. To work perperly a circle hook must have no offset or kirb, and the tip must point inwards towards the shank or even inwards and downwards, forming a slight spiral.

Owner mutu light circles have a kirb/offset but i found that i could bend the hook back with pliers to remove the kirb/offset.

Mustad demon light circles have no offset.

The barb is unnecessary and can be crimped flat or filed off, as the hook shape makes it hard to dislodge once its in.

Circle hooks are available from big sizes used to catch billfish to small sizes used to catch baitfish, but they are very hard to find in the UK.

Circle hook links:

http://www.catchandreleasefound.org/fishstory6.html

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/cst/cst102901.html

http://www.daba.eclipse.co.uk/circle_hooks.htm

http://www.arkansasstripers.com/circle_hooks%20.htm

http://www.fishermansheadquarters.co...%20debate.html

http://users.bigpond.net.au/powelly/circles.html

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/cst/cst102901.html

[DTidmarsh]

Hey Beng,

Thanks for the info :tup: