Circle Hook Gut

[FishermanTim]

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak

Use a bigger chunk. The whole pogie head. Anything that will eat that and get gut hooked you can cram your fist down it's throat and unhook.
Problem solved
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I like your train of thought......

[MarkB]

When using circle hooks, you need to keep slack out of the line. When the fish takes the bait, don't try to set the hook - just hold firm. As the fish pulls away from the taut line, it should lip-hook itself. If you give them slack, they have time to swallow the bait, no matter what kind of hook it is.

[MikeToole]

I have experienced a few deep hooks fishing eels when I used the Gama circles. Some times the fish just gulp them down. Don't remember when was the last time I deep hooked a fish using J hooks.

Switched over to Eagle Claw 2004ELFS circle hook for bait and livebunker and haven't had a deep hook in years. Use the Mustad 39950BL circle hook with eels and no deep hooks but missing more fish. Switched back to Mustad 94150 J hook with eels and no deep hooks.

[SweetD]

Originally Posted by MarkB

When using circle hooks, you need to keep slack out of the line. When the fish takes the bait, don't try to set the hook - just hold firm. As the fish pulls away from the taut line, it should lip-hook itself. If you give them slack, they have time to swallow the bait, no matter what kind of hook it is.

Agree 100%. Seen this happen to my buddy a couple of times last year - let the fish run waaaaaayyy to long with slack / freespool. Result was gut-hooked. Shouldn't happen if you are doing it as described above...