Circle hooks?

How many here use circle hooks? I love em!

I've used them for a couple of years now fishing for cats with a slip float rig - haven't tried limb lines or noodles. I like them because most hookups are right where they're supposed to be - in the lip or corner of the mouth. I've had very few come off and I'm convinced that was because I yanked too hard setting the hook. I don't think I've ever lost one when I just reeled the slack out of the line and gave just a tug to set the hook.

They make hook removal a snap. Use as small a hook as you can to prevent hooking small cats through the eye (if you'll release them). I've even made small circle hooks for bluegill fishing with bait by bending J-hooks with pliers. They work for them too, and it's better than killing a bunch of little bream that swallow the hook. Small ones are available, but I'm too stingy to buy them until I use up hooks I have on hand.

See, I haven't gotten into circle hook yet. Do you really let the fish hook themselves?

They work here in Kansas for cats, usually hook them in the mouth corner or lip.

Definitely circle hooks work. Generally lip hooks from bluegills on size 8's through carp on size 2s to catfish on size 1/0 and 2/0 and even bigger for flatheads. Almost never a gut hook. I don't fish bait very often any more, but when I do I will snell on a circle hook. And like they say DO NOT set the hook, just tighten the line and the fish generally hooks itself. If you plan on releasing fish circle hooks are the way to fish bait.

I've been using circle hooks for years mainly on jug lines in the 6/0 to 9/0 size depending on the bait. Don't think there is a better hook out there for jug lines. They are also great for kids, women and older folks that have trouble setting the hook. I just leave the rods in the rod holder and crank down on the fish when they take it. Caught some big blues using them.

Do you think they might work for handlines?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDiKj9a-mOI

They will work on anything. Big key is not setting the hook. If you do it will pull out. Also a good in between hook is an octopus hook. If they hit it hard enough it will set itself like a circle but you can still set the hook. Started using them last year and they are awesome. On a different note, not all hooks are created equal. Do some research.

Used circles and octopus hooks this morning and went after blues. Caught 12 up to 22 lbs on Carolina rig on bottom.

Nice, Tim. What size circle hooks?

I use 6/0 all the time fishing with rod / reel whether it be circle hooks or octopus. Caught some big fish on 6/0

These are nice blues my son and daughter in law recently caught on cut shad. We have been using circle hooks for years. We use them on Carolina rigs, floater rigs and big slip corks.

The only hooks I use are Circle for cats. They work great, anyway you fish them.

When those big blues hit and bend those ugly sticks down to the water you don't have to worry about settin the hook anyway.

Man, yawl 'bout talked me into these circle hooks!

I use #12 on the jugs. Saltwater circle hooks. Used conventional hooks for years, and am amazed at how the catch rate went up when swapping to the circle hooks.

I used to use 5/0 circles when I first started out. I used hooks that small because I didnt want to miss the smaller fish biting my bait. After missing several big fish because the gap in the hook wasnt wide enough to go around the fish's lip I switched to 8/0 MINIMUM! Well i quit missing the big fish.....an can not even tell if my cactch rate of the smaller fish has slowed down. Point im making is dont be scared to fish with a big hook.....you will still catch smaller fish on that big ole hook.

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Originally Posted by LowePro

I used to use 5/0 circles when I first started out. I used hooks that small because I didnt want to miss the smaller fish biting my bait. After missing several big fish because the gap in the hook wasnt wide enough to go around the fish's lip I switched to 8/0 MINIMUM! Well i quit missing the big fish.....an can not even tell if my cactch rate of the smaller fish has slowed down. Point im making is dont be scared to fish with a big hook.....you will still catch smaller fish on that big ole hook.

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I catch 2 pounders on the #12's. Get the occasional dinks. The dinks eat 3" shad. A #12 doesn't make a hill of beans in the overall picture of catching them other than you won't miss the big ones.
I also do some additional sharpening on the hooks. If they won't hang off the fingernail at a 45 degree angle, they aren't sharp enough. Try yours and see if the factory ones will do that.

You are right Dennis that's why I mentioned in the earlier post not all hooks are created equal do some research. Not gonna show a favorite to any brand but you get what you pay for.

I buff mine on my knife sharpening paper wheels and they are like hypodermic needles. Scary sharp

I am sold on them. Only wish you could buy American made stainless hooks in less than one thousand count hooks.

You might look at the team catfish hooks. Not stainless but great hooks.

go to BPS

Team Catfish Hooks are made in Korea. not sure where BPS hooks are made. For me if it catches fish is the only thing that matters.

These are eagle Claw lazer Trokar Lancet circle hooks. They come in 1/0 to 9/0 at Academy Sports. I promise you don't have to sharpen these before you go fishin and they are saltwater resistant plus still made in Denver, Co.

Don't have any packages of the #12's, but the Bass Pro saltwater catalog online has just about any hook you want.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...3764a6ac02.jpg

Tackledirect.com has tons of circle hooks too.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...a2095c5605.jpg

I second the Trokar hooks. Super sharp, almost scary. I use these as well as the Demon Circles by Mustad but I do sharpen the Mustad.

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