How to Fish With Circle Hooks? Detailed Guide Inside!

Fishing with hooks is something every angler knows, but today, we’ll share how to use circle hooks effectively, which might just increase your chances of landing a few more catches.

In this article, we’ll discuss circle hooks, the best baits to use with them, and the overall techniques that have always proven beneficial for us.

Circle Hooks and Fish Chart Relationship

Unlike the traditional J hooks many of us grew up using, circle hooks feature a point that curves back toward the shank, forming almost a complete circle. This shape and design ensures that the hook catches in the corner of the fish’s jaw and mouth, making it easier to release the fish unharmed.

Our transition from j hook to circle hooks began about a year ago. Initially, we were skeptical, having used J hooks for years. However, after hearing about the benefits—better catch rates and more fish-friendly releases—we decided to give them a try.

The first few outings were mixed; we had many game fish species but missed several bites because we instinctively set the hook as we would with J hooks. This was a mistake. With circle hooks, it’s crucial to let the fish hook itself. Once we adjusted our technique and allowed the fish time to take the bait and start swimming away, we saw a significant improvement in our catch rates and the condition of the released fish.

Choosing the Right Circle Hook

Choosing the right circle hook is essential for a successful fishing trip. Through our experiences, we’ve learned a lot about what works best for many species.

Hook Size

Matching the hook size to the various game fish species you’re targeting is crucial. For smaller fish like whiting or pompano, smaller hooks in the range of size 2/0 or 3/0 are ideal. They are small enough to fit in the fish’s mouth easily but strong enough to secure a good hookset.

On the other hand, when we’re targeting larger species like tarpon or sharks, we switch to much larger hooks, such as 10/0 or even 12/0. These larger hooks are robust and can handle the strength and size of bigger fish, ensuring they stay hooked during the fight.

Inline vs. Offset

We’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with both inline and offset hooks. Inline hooks have a straight shank and are designed to catch in the corner of the fish’s mouth more consistently. This makes them excellent for catch and release, as they minimize the chances of deep hooking and make it easier to release the fish unharmed.

Offset hooks, which have a slightly angled hook shank, can sometimes lead to deeper hooking, which can be more harmful to the fish. Because of this, we tend to prefer inline hooks, especially when our goal is to release the fish after catching them. They are simply more reliable for ensuring the fish’s safety and improving our overall catch rates.

Using Circle Hooks Correctly

Using circle hooks requires a different technique than J hooks. Instead of yanking the fishing rod back to set the hook, you simply allow the fish to take the hook eye as bait and start swimming away. The design of the circle hook ensures that it will slide to the corner of the fish’s mouth and set itself. This method reduces the chance of gut-hooking, which can be fatal for the fish, making circle hooks ideal for catch and release.

Experienced anglers recommend letting the fish run with the bait for a few moments before slowly reeling the reel in the slack and applying slow and steady pressure again. This helps the hook to properly set in the fish’s mouth.

Circle hooks are particularly effective for species that tend to swallow the bait, such as redfish and tarpon. By using circle hooks and adjusting our technique, we’ve seen a significant improvement in both our catch rates and the survival rates of the fish we release.

Benefits We’ve Experienced

Better Hook-Up Rates

One of the first benefits we noticed after switching to circle hooks was a significant increase in our hook-up rates. With J hooks, we often had to set the hook manually, which sometimes resulted in missed catches. Circle hooks, however, work differently.

When a fish takes the bait and swims away, the design of the circle hook naturally causes it to slide to the corner of the fish’s mouth area, and set itself lightly hook there. This automatic setting feature has led to more consistent and reliable catches, making our fishing trips more successful and enjoyable.

Less Deep Hooking

Deep hooking, where the hook lodges in the fish’s throat or stomach, can be a serious issue with traditional J hooks. This often results in severe injury to the fish, making catch and release difficult and reducing the fish’s chances of survival.

With circle hooks, we’ve found that almost all our catches are hooked in the corner of the mouth. This significantly reduces the risk of deep hooking. As a result, removing the hook is easier and less traumatic for the fish, which can then be released back into the water with minimal harm.

More Sustainable Fishing

Using circle hooks has made our fishing practices much more sustainable. Because the circle hooks work and generally catch fish in the mouth, the survival rate of released fish is much higher. This is crucial for maintaining healthy fish populations and ensuring that future generations of recreational anglers can enjoy fishing as much as we do.

By adopting circle hooks, we’ve not only improved our catch rates but also contributed to the preservation of aquatic life. We feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that our fishing methods are more environmentally friendly and that we’re doing our part to support sustainable fishing practices.

Our Rigging Tips For Circle Hooks

Proper rigging can make a big difference in your success with circle hooks. Here are some tips we’ve picked up:

Don’t Mask the Hook

It’s essential not to bury the hook too deeply in the bait. Leave the point exposed so it can catch in the fish’s mouth. This might seem counterintuitive, but it works. When the barb and hook points are visible, it increases the chances of hooking the fish in the corner of the fish-released mouth, which is ideal for both catching and releasing.

Use Fixed Rigs

We’ve had the best results using fixed rigs rather than running ledger rigs. Fixed rigs ensure that the hook stays in place and gives the fish a chance to hook itself. When targeting species like striped bass or rays, this has made a significant difference. Fixed or loop rigs keep de hooker the bait in a stable position, allowing the fish to take it confidently and get hooked efficiently.

Keep the Line Tight

After casting, we make sure to keep the line tight. This helps ensure that when a fish takes the bait, it feels the resistance and turns away, allowing the hook to catch in the mouth. Keeping the line taut is crucial because it helps maintain the tension needed for the circle hook to work correctly. This technique increases your hook-up rates and ensures that the fish is hooked securely.

Our Proven Baiting Techniques

How you bait the hook is crucial. Here are some techniques we’ve found effective:

Whole Baits

For larger fish, we often use whole baits like mackerel strips or squid. We hook the bait through the nose and let it dangle. This presentation works well for many species that tend to strike and run. The movement of the whole bait in the water makes it more enticing to predatory fish, increasing your chances of a first strike and successful catch.

Worms and Smaller Baits

Baiting with worms or smaller baits can be tricky. We thread the bait onto the hook but leave the point of a single hook exposed. This helps ensure that the hook can still catch in the fish’s jaw, throat, or mouth. The exposed hook point is crucial for effectively hooking smaller fish, which can sometimes be more delicate bitters.

Our Fishing Techniques With Circle Hooks

Adjusting our fishing techniques was the most challenging part of transitioning to circle hooks. Here’s what we’ve learned:

Don’t Set the Hook

This is the golden rule of fishing with circle hooks. When you feel a bite, resist the urge to pull or jerk the rod as you would with treble hooks. Instead, just start reeling in steadily. The fish will hook itself as it swims away. This technique leverages the design and shape of the circle hook, which naturally catches in the corner of the fish’s mouth. This method has proven especially effective when targeting striped bass and other larger species, ensuring higher survival rates for angler released fish.

Use Rod Holders

We’ve found that using rod holders helps a lot. By keeping the rod holder stationary and letting the fish hook itself, we increase our hook-up rates. This is especially useful when fishing from the shore or a pier. Rod holders ensure that the line to hook fish remains taut and the hook is positioned perfectly to catch the fish.

Species-Specific Tips

Different species react differently to circle hooks. Here are some insights based on our experience with various fish:

Bass and Catfish

For the striped bass, and catfish, we’ve had great success using circle hooks with live bait. These species tend to take the bait and swim off, giving the hook a chance to set properly. The key is to be patient and let the hook eye the fish run a bit before starting to reel in.

We’ve noticed that using circle hooks significantly reduces the chances of gut hooking, which is especially important for catch-and-release fishing.

Flatfish and Rays

Flatfish and rays can be a bit trickier. They often lie still after taking the bait, making it harder for the hook to set. In these cases, we find it helpful to use a small J hook as the top hook in a pennel rig, with a circle hook on the bottom.

This setup increases your chances of hooking the fish properly, as the J hook can catch even when the fish isn’t moving much. Once the fish starts to move, the circle hook can then do its job and sit in the corner of the mouth.

Billfish

Our experience with billfish has been excellent using circle hooks. These fish tend to make a strong run after taking the bait, which helps set the hook in the corner of their mouth. We’ve had fewer lost fish and cleaner releases using circle hooks.

The aggressive nature of billfish means that they often hook themselves well with circle hooks, reducing the need for a hard hook set. This results in more successful catches and better survival rates for released fish.

Check our recommendations on Best Circle Hooks for Saltwater Fishing

Final Words – Our Recommendations

Based on our experience, here are our top recommendations for anyone looking to switch to circle hooks:

Start with the Right Size: It’s crucial to match the hook size to the fish you’re targeting. Smaller hooks (2/0 or 3/0) work well for fish like whiting and pompano, while larger hooks (10/0 or 12/0) are better for bigger species like tarpon or sharks. Using the correct size will improve your hook-up rates and reduce the chances of deep hooking.

Keep the Hook Point Exposed: When baiting your hook, make sure the point remains exposed. Don’t bury the hook deep in the bait. This ensures the hook can catch in the fish’s mouth effectively. It might seem counterintuitive, but an exposed hook point increases your chances of a successful catch.

Use Fixed Rigs: We’ve found that fixed rigs are more effective than running ledger rigs when using circle hooks. Fixed rigs keep the lure and hook in place, giving the fish a better chance to hook itself. This setup has worked particularly well for anglers and us when targeting species like bass and rays.

Resist the Urge to Set the Hook: This is one of the hardest habits to break when switching to circle hooks. Instead of jerking the rod to set the hook, just start reeling in steadily when you feel a bite. The fish will hook itself as it swims and pull you away. Trust the design of the circle hook and let it do its job.