Circle Hooks For Surf Fishing

[kenmare]

I've just been reading about circle hooks, which seem very popular in the US with surf casters fishing for striped bass. The attraction appears to be that they allow catch and release with minimal damage to the fish.

But I also understand a fish essentially hooks itself when picking up and running with a bait. Seems a big advantage on the beach when a rod is set in a holder.

Has anyone used them?

I plan to give circle hooks a try using pilchards or fish chunks as bait.

Can anyone offer any tips on baiting and rigging?

Regards,

Bob

Edited November 12, 2006 by kenmare

[Guest Big-Banana]

Cant go wrong with circles, Iam going to stock up on them next time Iam at a tackle shop.

[arpie]

Can anyone offer any tips on baiting and rigging?

Regards,

Bob

Hi Bob

The Kiwis have been using them for years - check out this site for the 'correct' way of tying them on. If not correctly tied on, apparantly they don't 'grab' the lip as well as they should and can also actually slip out of the mouth without grabbing at all. You are right about not 'setting the hook' - they work best when the fish takes off with the hook from a stationary rod, setting the hook itself. Used over there (as here) by long liners & also recommended for fishing kites!

http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/fishingknots...hing_knots.html

or try this one for researching more knots for circle hooks.

http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q...=cr%3DcountryNZ

I have some that I purchased some years ago when I lived there - they are pretty solid hooks (unlike the more recent 'fine grade' ones) and I shall pop some in the post to you!! Whatever they catch, they won't get off!

Cheers

Roberta