Circle Hooks

There are a wide variety of hook styles from which to choose when you're fishing. While the "J." style is still the most popular, the circle hook is gaining from more popularity. In fact, over the last 10 years more anglers are discovering that if they use it properly circle hooks increase fish survival.

These hooks are designed to catch in the corner of the mouth of the fish. Between 95% and 100% of the time they work exactly that way. This even applies if the fish has completely swallowed the hook. Because of the mechanics, this type of hook slips through the gullet and does not catch on soft tissue. In fact, when properly done the hook will hit the corner of the mouth, kicks over, and the point catches and penetrates.

The key to accomplishing a proper set hook with the circle hook is to avoid setting it. In fact, more anglers go wrong the first few times they use circle hooks. Anglers have become so accustomed to setting a hook, that they often have difficulty overcoming the urge to rear back fast and hard as soon as they feel a strike. The most effective way to use this hook, is once you feel the fish fight slowly lift your rod tip and fight with your fish. While this might seem like a fairly simple process, the secret to making it work is to resist the urge to set the hook.

Whether you prefer to use live bait or dead bait, these hooks will work. Using the appropriate sized hook will also help. It is important to keep in mind that this should be sufficient exposure of the hook point to prevent the bait from interfering with the action of the circle hook as it pulls against the jaw of a fish.

In order to understand the mechanics of the circle hook, take a 24 and piece of fishing line and a saltwater circle hook. Use the 5/0 or larger for the best results. They could be with your thumb with your hand raised in front of you. Once you've done this, hold the line, dropped the hook onto the palm side of your hand, and make sure the line is flying across the V. This will give you a visual of the hook as it sits inside the fish's mouth with the "V." in the corner. At that time, slowly draw the hook up to your palm towards the "V.". Watch until you see the hook may contact with the skin between your thumb and forefinger. At that point, you should see the hook start to rotate towards the point - this will expose the point to your skin. Hopefully, this will give you a better understanding of how the hook works and why a traditional hook will not work.

The circle hook does not easily back out of the fish's jaw. It also resistant to being shaken loose by a fighting fish - far more resistant than the J. hook. This fantastic hook design has not only this advantage, but once you resist the urge to set it, you'll quickly find that it saves you money on hooks. Not only that, but you will be doing your part to sustain your fishing area by giving fish a far better chance of survival.

When you are out saltwater fishing it is important to make sure you have the right supplies. Some of the most popular brands include Shimano Fishing Reels, Penn Saltwater Reels, and Daiwa Saltwater Reels.