Circle hook / fishing for bass question

[Pt.JudeJoe]

I have been using Mustad 12/0 circles for years and they work great.It takes a little time to learn how to put it in the bait though but once you get the hang of it ,it 's easy. Same thing when you get a hit....I fish with the bail open ,holding the line with my index finger, let the fish pick it up and run with if for a 4 or 5 count.Then lower the rod click the bail and reel till the line is tight and raise the rod tip as you reel in.This timing all take practice but once you get it down you will not miss fish and they will be hooked in the corner of the mouth almost evey time...even blooofish .I've caught many big blues on flouro leaders with circle hooks, a big benefit to the fish as they don't float when you release them!

[GonnaCatchABig1]

Originally Posted by Pt.JudeJoe

I have been using Mustad 12/0 circles for years and they work great.It takes a little time to learn how to put it in the bait though but once you get the hang of it ,it 's easy. Same thing when you get a hit....I fish with the bail open ,holding the line with my index finger, let the fish pick it up and run with if for a 4 or 5 count.Then lower the rod click the bail and reel till the line is tight and raise the rod tip as you reel in.This timing all take practice but once you get it down you will not miss fish and they will be hooked in the corner of the mouth almost evey time...even blooofish .I've caught many big blues on flouro leaders with circle hooks, a big benefit to the fish as they don't float when you release them!

yeah in a way you do set the hook.. except its not sharp hard jerk.. its more of a smooth firm application of pressure. if you time it right the hook should already be hooked. but you want to make sure to bury the barb and that its in there good. i've noticed increasing the drag pressure (if you losen it instead of flipping the bail) helps tremendously too. i have it tight enough to where if they cant make the spool spin they aren't worth catching anyway. and you'd be surprised how tight it can be and still have a lil 14" guy take off with it.

[nightprowler]

I fish my circles the same way, gami 7/0 with eels. I let the line tighten and then raise the rod tip. once i feel the fish is on, i drive the hook home, to make sure i have a good hook set, especially when there is some weight to the fish. I have an 80-90% hook up ratio I would say. It has taken me several years to really get the hook set though.

Originally Posted by Pt.JudeJoe

I have been using Mustad 12/0 circles for years and they work great.It takes a little time to learn how to put it in the bait though but once you get the hang of it ,it 's easy. Same thing when you get a hit....I fish with the bail open ,holding the line with my index finger, let the fish pick it up and run with if for a 4 or 5 count.Then lower the rod click the bail and reel till the line is tight and raise the rod tip as you reel in.This timing all take practice but once you get it down you will not miss fish and they will be hooked in the corner of the mouth almost evey time...even blooofish .I've caught many big blues on flouro leaders with circle hooks, a big benefit to the fish as they don't float when you release them!