Going full circle

[JLH]

I’ve tried switching to circles a number of times but I never found that they held very well on larger fish. I think my issues have to do with the gap on the hook not being large enough for them to work effectively on bigger fish. I generally tried sizes from 7/0 for eels to 9/0 and 10/0 for cut bait.

Curious if the guys using them effectively are fishing a tight or lose drag and if that is a factor? I usually fish a tight drag with J hooks and bait and did the same with circles. A lot of the fish I dropped were midway through the fight or as I was getting ready to land them so I could just be applying too much pressure for circle hooks?

[Rockfish9]

Originally Posted by JLH

I’ve tried switching to circles a number of times but I never found that they held very well on larger fish. I think my issues have to do with the gap on the hook not being large enough for them to work effectively on bigger fish. I generally tried sizes from 7/0 for eels to 9/0 and 10/0 for cut bait.

Curious if the guys using them effectively are fishing a tight or lose drag and if that is a factor? I usually fish a tight drag with J hooks and bait and did the same with circles. A lot of the fish I dropped were midway through the fight or as I was getting ready to land them so I could just be applying too much pressure for circle hooks?

My drags are 1/4 the breaking strength of the line... try a smaller hook.... you will be pleasantly surprised.

[JohnR]

I have been exclusively Circles on eels for 7+ years now. While I miss crossing their eyes all those hooks in the corner of the jaw rather than deep are great.