Guys,
Had two of the biggest fish I've ever hooked into on sand eels today.
First one couldn't even stop on 75% drag on Nautil 7500 w/ 20# yozuri hybrid...took 30 yards and then nada.
Second one I got turned and then a quick headshake and nada...
Main question is this: I'm using sand eel Hi/ Lo rigs, I've been using them for ten years and never set the hook...They look like circle hooks to me.
Both times these MONSTERS went to run, and I bowed the rod tip and they were gone!!!
Maybe I'm watching too many Andy Mill shows where he fights tarpon?
Today was fun feeling big fish strecth the line, but it sucked losing them.
Later,
Rick:smash: :smash: :confused: :(

Where were yo so I can go down and see for myself :smash: ?

Dunno - try the circles if you want the hook to set itself (and to drink beer - not the hook)

If it was me I'd be using the big gapped thin wire sand eel hooks. Mike T has them. I think circle hooks suck. Not very scientific but definitely my honest opinion! :)

The ones we use have circle hooks ning nod:smash: Come fish with me in lo-cash. See you in a few.:ss: :ss:

something I saw sometime back , after I got the nice fish in I reached in to pluck the hook out, well the hook point was just in the top [roof] of the mouth, only in about a 1/16 of an inch,when I reached for the hook it fell out, this has happened more than once. so maybe your dipping is just enough to make the hook pop. give them no slack at all.

Yep,
I gave both fish a dip to the tip when they went to run the second time.
Lost them both like that.
They were VERY VERY VERY big.
Oh well, maybe I'll invite John up to cast in the puddle in my backyard so he can have a shot.
I'm serios John, if you want to go, many of us monkeys are heading up to Ptown next weekend.
PM me for the grand extravaganza (the tea dance and all).
Hope to see you there, in drag,
Later,
Lucy

i happened lost a fish to a circle hook before. I liked using Gaskamstu hooks (circle, octpus, wide gap). They are not as big as eagle claws. They are good for baitfishing. I wouldn't even thinking about using a circle hook on a blues. It's hard to dehook it.