What is the best size circle hooks for Bluegill and where can I find them?
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What is the best size circle hooks for Bluegill and where can I find them?
I've never seen any I thought were small enough for bluegill. It might be easiest to bend some regular hooks into that shape.
Why are you looking for circle hooks for gills, anyway?
I did a quick search and found these threads:
http://crappie.com/crappie/showthrea...t=circle+hooks
http://crappie.com/crappie/showthrea...t=circle+hooks
http://crappie.com/crappie/showthrea...t=circle+hooks
I use owner mosquito hooks and gamakatsu octopus hooks. Both in red. I like size 8 most of the time. I will drop down to a 10 depending on bait. Gander Mtn has the gama's, Cabelas and BPS have both. I use these hooks 90+ percent of the time. You will need hemostats or small pliers handy, but they are good hooks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rangersedge
Chris
Do they take these hooks deep? Circle hooks are supposed to give you a nice, clean hook in the lip. :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by bluegilln
They don't really get them all that deep, but there is no shank to hold on to. Their mouth is so small I can't get my finger in there even if it's just inside. Not sure the octopus and mosquito hooks are a true circle hook, but they are pretty close.Quote:
Originally Posted by deathb4disco
I started using disgorgers 10 or 12 years ago instead of pliers. See here:Quote:
Originally Posted by bluegilln
http://www.lindyfishingtackle.com/ta...ring=disgorger
They are worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned -- much better than pliers for removing deep hooks. There's a little bit of a trick to using them, but once you've mastered it, you'll never go back.
Is there an advantage to using small circle hooks for bluegill?
I think there would be an advantage IF you could find one small enough for gills, but as bluegilln said above, you might still have deep-hooking issues.
I have found that a very sensitive float teamed with a disgorger takes care of about 95% of my deep-hooking problems.
I like disgorgers too. Before I new there was such a thing I would use a stick with a groove cut in the end which works about as well.
You can also try using Tru-Turn Hooks. The "crook" in the shank of the hook seems to create a motion that always hooks the fish in the upper part of the mouth. In general if I can see the top of the hook, I can alway get it out because I know which way the rest of the hook is turned. I.E. I can use my little finger to apply pressure in the right place to make the hook pop out.
Oscar
I forgot my disgorgers one day last summer and did the same thing. It worked great.Quote:
Originally Posted by Oscar73
Look at scud hooks in the fly tying section of BPS or Cabelas, they are similar to circle hooks and come in sizes 8 on down.
look for a Eagle Claw L702G. You can get them in size 14 if you can find them.
I use them for Trout. Have used them on grass carp, but a 20 LB fish can bend the hooks. You can probably get them at Cabelas.
John
I found them here...
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/circle-...ks/820519.aspx
As to why... I have limited experience with them; but had some last summer and consistently caught the bluegill and redear in the corner of the mouth with them using piece of worm under a bobber. I was really surprised at how well they worked. Not sure if fluke or common; but decided worth trying more seriously this spring.
I don't have a big problem with deep-hooking, but I might pick up a pack of those to experiment with. Thanks for the link.
I like the Owner circle hooks that are actually more like kahle hooks with the point bent inwards. Eagle claw used to make a teflon coated, barbless finesse circle hook that was great, haven't seen it around lately though.
However, a small aberdeen bent inwards with my hands works well for a cheap fix. So much depends on the bait, a circle hook will damage a lot of live bait given the sharp angle of the point. I.E., not good for crickets or earthworms. However, they are great for things like Berkley products... a larger, i.e #5 or #6 circle hook with one of the sturdier Berkley baits will ward off the dinks until something big enough to hook itself decides to eat.
I don't get too many gut hooks, some days a simple bait holder hook seems like the best hook for bluegills. One trick to avoid gut hooks is to simply hook the bait where most of it is exposed below the hook.
Quote:
Originally Posted by deathb4disco
Do they take these hooks deep? Circle hooks are supposed to give you a nice, clean hook in the lip.
They don't really get them all that deep, but there is no shank to hold on to. Their mouth is so small I can't get my finger in there even if it's just inside. Not sure the octopus and mosquito hooks are a true circle hook, but they are pretty close.
Started Stinky/KetchinKatie on circle hooks and we have not lost hardly any to gut hooks. the fish takes the bait and she reels............simple. i almost want to use them all the time myself