who uses circle hook and what you think of them?

[smile0784]

hi all
I been fishing for over 20 years now and just started using circle hooks on some of my rigs to help let little ones go.
catch rate has lowered since using circle hooks sizes 3/0 for pinkies and flathead rod and 6/0 snapper and gummies rod.
fish verity of waters from wp, ppb and Bermagui.

are fish more likely to get off circle hooks compared to long shank or beak style hooks?
or do fish just get hooked and never come off in the water?
who uses circle hooks?

cheers ricki

[hornet]

I use circles occasionally, trick is to not touch the rod no matter how tempting it is, they must hook themselves, if you try to lift the rod to hook em you miss most times, patience must be mastered when using these hooks..

[4liters]

I use them, don't seem to have any issues not hooking up. Just lift the rod gently instead of striking, or as Hornet said don't touch it at all.

[chris srsc]

Only hooks to use these days...blackmagic

[davek]

Use them flat out now, seem to get more hook ups than the guys I'm fishing with :rofl: cheers davo

[skronkman]

I usually fish 2 people in my boat. One of us is usually fishing circles the other is usually fishing black magic KL suicide style hooks. If you do not touch the rod and let them hook themselves then I reckon the circles catch more. I personally cannot resist the temptation to strike on a good bite so tend towards the suicides. When using circles you should also leave your reel in gear with your drag all set up ready for fighting.

[jedgpz]

I use circle Hooks on Natives up this way.
I like the way that they lip hook most of the time. As to hook up rates etc I think that could be the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence syndrome. Have had days in the boat where two people have very similar setups and one catches all the fish while the other gets a doughnut.
I tend to lift the rod slowly on bites and not strike.

[matt1991]

I pretty much only use circle hooks these days and have never had an issue hooking up. They pretty much hook themselves, so perfect for leaving the rod in the holder.

[yzdood]

Only hooks to use these days...blackmagic

x2

[Master Baiter]

Used them for years love them, prefer Owner or Mustad as they are smaller hooks than other circles for same size no. Prefer wire hooks have only ever straightened one out and that was where it hooked on to a sapling in the Lake. Yes they do hook Fish wait until rod bends over for a few seconds and as said before gently lift. Try them you will like them put a small hook through the saddle of a worm don't wrap line around worm or hook and you will find you will not miss two many fish and lip hooked
Wally