Tip ups and circle hooks

[Long Gray Line]

Does anyone here use circle hooks with their tip-ups? Was thinking that since the circle relies on increasing the pressure and not setting the hook, they might help with hooking and preventing swallowed rigs. Any thoughts??

[Hoffer]

Good question. I was wondering the same thing. I havent used any circle hooks yet ( I havent even been able to locate any) and I do alot of ice-fishing with tip-ups so it would be nice to know how they work..

(Long gray line...I live in Maple Grove as well - maybe I will run into to you out on the ice - we do alot of fishing on Minnetonka - but would like to try some local lakes like Weaver and Eagle)

[walldoggie]

Got some circle hooks for x-mas, and was thinking the same thing so next time i go out i will use them and try to get back to you on it.

[MinnesotaMuskie]

What do you mean by "circle hooks?" Are you talking about Eagle Claw hooks? If so, I have used them forever and will use nothing else when going after pike.

Hook up ratio is pretty good:)

[picksbigwagon]

I strictly use circle hooks with my tip ups, I haven't lost a fish since I started using them....the biggest thing to remember is to not Jerk the line once you feel the tension, all I do is put constant solid pressure on the line once I feel the fish. My buddy last year jerked the hook out of a number of fish on left part of it's jaw on the hook....course he has a hard time counting in cribbage too

[Baldy's Baits]

I tried them on my pike tipups last year and was not satisfied with the results. I had a couple gut hooked fish and then I gave up. I will no longer fish with any hook that has to be swallowed to be effective.

Stick with a single treble for livebait and a quick strike rig for dead bait. If fished correctly there is virtually no chance for either of these to gut hook a fish.

[mpester]

I use them on my tip-ups when fishing for pike. My hooking percent is down a bit but all the fish I hook can be easily released with no harm to the fish. I have not gut hooked a pike with a circle hook. I hate ripping up a small pikes mouth with the treble hooks and then having to keep the fish because I have hurt him. I would rather miss a few fish and release the ones I get in good shape. I see circle hooks at all the tackle stores now so you should have no trouble finding them.