Thread: The proper use of a Circle Hook

Originally Posted by eym_sirius

I started using circle hooks for whiting, reds, croakers, sheepshead, etc years ago. It's what I use for fall fishing from the pier now. It took me just a few times, on my very first day of trying them, to get the hang of it.

How do you hook live shrimp with circle hooks for sheepshead?

Not to step on any toes, but I hate circle hooks. Just seems like a hook for those who don't have a feel for what the fish is doing at the end of your line. It just makes fishing too easy.

Originally Posted by chillinfish

How do you hook live shrimp with circle hooks for sheepshead?

I hook them in the tail. I think that sheepshead have incredibly keen eyesight and the key is to hide the hook as much as you can. My theory on why circle hooks work well on sheepshead is that when they crunch down and then exhale the shells/barnacle-pieces, etc. the hook turns and catches flesh, where a j-hook comes straight out without catching anything.

In hooking the shrimp in the tail, I try to avoid the vein in the dead-center.

Originally Posted by SNAKE

Not to step on any toes, but I hate circle hooks. Just seems like a hook for those who don't have a feel for what the fish is doing at the end of your line. It just makes fishing too easy.

I can't imagine hating any hook shape based on it's relative efficiency -- or for any other reason for that matter! Like I've said many times - As long as it's legal and doesn't violate the pier rules, whatever another fellow does to catch his fish is none of my business. I share different tackle options, rigging techniques, and baits with the hope that people who are less experienced will have more success. But that's where I set the boundary for myself. How another fisherman enjoys his fishing experience on the pier depends on that person's individual choices and preferences which have absolutely nothing to do with me.

I had several bites back in late March hooking them in the horn with a #8 treble. I did land several and had a lot of break offs, but I also lost a lot due to pulled hooks. I got a lot of shrimp heads back with no body especially when using larger shrimp. I would like to have had all small shrimp but they were scarce that week to begin with and heard that a truckload of shrimp all died on the way from Florida due to a problem with the tank filtration system. I'm just looking for a better bite/hookup. What size/brand circle do you prefer?

I like a. Number 6 kahle hook , hook up ratio on the corner of the mouth is great but you can still do kind of a hook set if you're in that habit .

About hooking shrimp...its all in what you want the shrimp to do. Hooked in the tail they will swim away from you when you put a bit of pressure....this is usually a free line method or small split shot. If you are really concerned with the hook being visible come from underneath the shrimp about where his mouthparts are and come out the top in front of the brain...live well and lots easier than hooking throught the horn

Originally Posted by eym_sirius

I can't imagine hating any hook shape based on it's relative efficiency -- or for any other reason for that matter! Like I've said many times - As long as it's legal and doesn't violate the pier rules, whatever another fellow does to catch his fish is none of my business. I share different tackle options, rigging techniques, and baits with the hope that people who are less experienced will have more success. But that's where I set the boundary for myself. How another fisherman enjoys his fishing experience on the pier depends on that person's individual choices and preferences which have absolutely nothing to do with me.

well said sir. Like I said, not to step on any toes...just my two cents.