Circle vs Traditional

[Holls]

Searched, but can't find much on this topic in Fishraider. I've always used traditional hooks, long shanks for for some species or particular baits, suicide hooks for bream etc. But I note there are several online sites that suggest circle hooks catch more fish. They seem to be used primarily with live bait rigs. Are they just as good with standard bait ups? Like to know what people have learned about this from their own experience. Robbie

[mii11x]

Hi mate, I use circle hooks with dead baits for jewies all the time - squid whole and strip, slab baits of mullet, tailor and yellowtail. I leave the reel in gear and in the holder and wait for the fish to hook themselves. 90% of the time they hook themselves in the corner of the mouth

[LungFai]

Moved from the standard hook ranges to primarily circle hooks and haven't looked back.

Baiting them is tricky sometimes but once you get the hang of it they practically hook the fish for you. Just make sure you change the way you strike when you notice a bite. With Circles lift your rod tip instead of the sharp strike to set the hook, the circle usually rolls out of the fishes throat and snags at the corner lip.

However bait disappears fast when those pesky pickers find your rig.....but then again i never liked pulling in finger fish

[Holls]

Thanks for the replies. Found this article which i think makes good sense.

http://www.fishingmonthly.com.au/Articles/Display/12641-The-snapper-rigging-conundrum

[broke another]

circle hooks for everything apart from skirted lures once you get over the habit of striking they are brilliant different brands for different fish I like black magic for whiting fishing and livebaiting for sbt"s and mustads for deep bottom fishing

[Guest Aussie007]

i use circle hooks because i always miss the bites using J hooks circle hooks have greatly improved my catch rate but i get a fair few fish gut hooked and prawns are hard to feed onto a circle hook

[Dave_]

Yep, circle hooks are awesome. The only thing I could think of that I don't really like is the fact that it can be hard to put fiddly baits on them.

[Holls]

Yep, circle hooks are awesome.

Only thing is, I kinda like striking/ "catching" the fish rather than wait for it to arrange itself on the hook..........

[Dave_]

Only thing is, I kinda like striking/ "catching" the fish rather than wait for it to arrange itself on the hook..........

I tend to agree mate but the circles certainly do the job they're intended to do. I really only use them for livies.

[JET01]

Can anyone tell me if they are able to fish with live nippers using circles.

Also, has anyone used circles for drummer?

[Scissors]

Circles are excellent for lazy fishing for species such as Whiting and Snapper. I find this more catching than fishing though so I will use the normal J hooks most of the time. As mentioned circles can be annoying in the smaller sizes, I have also found them a real pain at night baiting up.

[Holls]

The other night fishing in the lake I used circle hooks and lost a lot of bait waiting for the fish to hook themselves. Probably bream, using a little running ball sinker, they continually took the bait for a journey and yanked the line tight. I resisted trying to strike them and never caught a fish. Next time, trad hooks! (But the circles would definitely be good for snapper and some of the larger pelagics I reckon.

[LungFai]

Should loosen the drag up a bit holls, let the fish run further so they take the bait down so the circle can do it's job.

Great for lazy fishing, or with kids who get distracted by crabs. They can pay as much as they like while the rod is in a holder and then when the drag kicks in they come running back to grab the rod.

[Holls]

Should loosen the drag up a bit holls, let the fish run further so they take the bait down so the circle can do it's job.

Great for lazy fishing, or with kids who get distracted by crabs. They can pay as much as they like while the rod is in a holder and then when the drag kicks in they come running back to grab the rod.

Yeah, great for family fishing. But I think I'll stick to hooking them myself. That said, circle hooks for a set rod on the beach could be good while off flicking a lure around.

[Nuttynatty]

Howdy

Ive been using circle hooks for jews with live bait like live herring and everytime guaranteed its hooked in the corner of the mouth.

Love them and wouldn't go back to fishing for jews with live bait without them.

Cheers

[Holls]

Ive been using circle hooks for jews with live bait like live herring and everytime guaranteed its hooked in the corner of the mouth.

Love them and wouldn't go back to fishing for jews with live bait without them.

Thanks nuttynatty. Sounds good to me.

[Guest no one]

Lung's right... great for lazy fishing - which is why I always use them!!

I started using them with frozen squid, good hook up rate vs a normal hook and the quality of fish is certainly getting better, I also find I'm dropping a lot less fish in the process unless the line is snapping.