Circle hooks for cats

[Gerd]

Has anyone else been using circle hooks? I've been experimenting with them this year and have found that they work great! They get hooked right in the corner of the moth almost everytime and I haven't missed a fish yet. The "experts" say not to set the hook hard with circle hooks, but I have forgotten a few times, and have had no problems. I imagine that they are fairly snag-proof too since the hook point curls in, but I'm not sure yet.

[Ozzy169]

circle hooks are all ive been using this year, Between Gamakatsu or Diachi ive had really good results, snag alot less and ive landed fish with the hook on the outside of the mouth several times. ive had only one gut hook, which surprises me cuz i'm not letting them run with the bait! nice and ez is a key though (smooth)

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Get 'er done

[Long Gray Line]

I've used kahle hooks all my life for cats and have great luck with them. They're about as close to a circle hook as you can get so I'd guess the principle is the same. Almost every cat has the hook right in the corner of the mouth, but solidly hooked and I don't set the hook, they do it themselves! Takes a pliers to get the hook out but it's right there where you can grab it. Works great with crawlers, cut up suckers, live chubs/suckers. I may have to try the circles though, just for the halibut.

[Guest]

Gamakatsu circle hooks, kahle hooks, and -X-wide gap worm hooks are all I normaly use for cats.

Circle hooks are often the most effective hook for cats, but not always. I find them the most effective barbless hook option for catfish by far.

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Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[Guest]

I really like setting the hook so I usually use kahle or L84s.Well I hate to admit it but I had a circle hook rig that someone tied to one of my rods and being the lazy fisherman that I am I left the dang boring rig on.I have yet to miss a fish on a circle hook since then.I just might have to use them more often.Its almost criminal how easy it is.Put rod in rod holder,get a bite,reel him in.No brainer.

[Guest]

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Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[DARK30]

I wasn't too fond of circles until we got in your boat Ed! Now I believe!

Thanks Again!

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[CANOPY SAM]

I've never even held a circle hook in my hand, but with this panel of celebrity testimonials "I am sold". I'd have to admit that I'll really miss the feel of a solid hook set on a big cat, though.
Are you folks using these on flatheads as well? Are your hooking percentages increasing with each "run" using these hooks? We'd discussed a lot of "missed runs" earlier this year, and options for decreasing the number missed hook ups. Are these circle hooks easy to find? Inexpensive?

[Guest]

Knowing were to hook the bait so the fish your after finds the hook is a big part of circle hook fishing. Just hook the fish under the skin and not so deep that toe hook gets filled up with meat. You may need to stick the bait with a needle and thread a loop to tie off on the circle hook you will find the hook ups are much higher.The euro anglers have done this trick for years on pig pike.

NEVER fill the throut of the hook up so the hook can not do the job it was intended to do. If you do you will miss fish, simple as that.

Flatheads like to chomp, gobble, and run by nature, they are perfect canadates to get stuck by an off set circle hook. Big pike or walleye are two more that get hung easy if you match the hook to the bait properly.

In circle hooks don't go too smale, think big enought to snag that old leather lip solid on the first run. 7 - 10 O/T would be the smallest I would go for Flatheads while useing larger live baits. Wide gap off set circles do the best job on slammers.

Give them a try and see what lays that rod flat over fer ya.

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Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[CANOPY SAM]

Ed,
What do you mean "thread a loop to tie off the circle hook on"? Is the hook then not penetrating the flesh of the bait at all, but rather sort of dangling outside of the bait?

[Guest]

Yup, you got the idea.

I have seen a button used with mono or dacron thread to make the bait loop link from the live bait to the hook.

A short leash is a good way to describe it I guess?

A large chub or green sunfish with the tail slightly trimed hung short under a float on a thread rig can make a lot of commotion and call up a piggy.

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Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html