Circle Hooks Catch More Fish!

When it comes to fishing, the right tackle can mean the difference between telling a story about the big one that got away or having pictures of the fish that didn't get away. This is the first of a series on terminal tackle. I will start the series with the business end of your line, the hook. Traditionally, Recreational anglers have used J hooks. However, when it comes to landing fish, nothing can beat the Circle hook. The Circle hook has been used by Commercial fishing longliners for years, but they have only recently gained a huge following with Recreational anglers. There are several advantages to Circle hooks. First, when using Circle hooks there is no need to set the hook. With traditional J hooks, when the fish strikes, you must be ready to give the line a quick jerk with the rod to set the hook. Conversely, with Circle hooks, the fish sets the hook. All you need to do is reel in slowly and the tension provided by the fish with set the hook for you. They work just as well with the rod in a rod holder as they do when you hold the rod. This means that you can increase your chances of catching fish by having multiple lines in the water without losing fish. Another advantage of Circle hooks is that 99% of the time, they hook the fish right in corner of their mouth. This makes the hook easier to remove which means less damage to the fish. You photos will look better and if you are releasing the fish, you will give the fish a better chance of survival. Finally, since Circle hooks rotate around the jaw of the fish when they set the hook, the hook holds much better during a long fight with a large fish. So the next time you go fishing, pick up some Circle hooks and give them a try. You'll be amazed at how many fish you'll catch. (Next time, I'll talk about leaders and swivels).