Mastering the Drift: Tailwaters

[Jayhawk Chris]

Circle hooks work awesome for trout, catfish and carp. Yes the secret to them is that you do not want to set the hook in any manner whatsover. You want to make a long sweep stroke of the rod, or you could start reeling but that won't often do the trick. I will admit it is very tough to get used to not setting the hook like you have been taught all your life. I missed dozens of hits and hookups because I set the hook and literally ripped the hooked right out of the mouth. Once you get used to basically letting fish hook itself or a gentle sweeping stroke you will find your catch ratio skyrocket. Jef is right that the very few fish will become gut hooked. It takes patience, but it can be greatly rewarded.

[alletec]

I never set the hook very hard on trout ever. When I feel a bite I just pop the rod tip a little and they are hooked. I fished with the circle hooks all day last Friday and never missed a fish.

[Thom]

I fished circle hooks in Port Aransas Jan and Feb last year for whiting, sand trout and sheephead. As advertised you miss very few and they are always hooked in the side of the mouth. I had several folks on the peir and jetty ask me why they were losing their bait. They asked how I was attaching my shrimp. Same way as them only I was using a blood red circle hook. When they (except for the locals who had turned me on to the circle hooks) did catch fish the fish were bleeding all over the peir while they were pulling out the hook from the fish.

I really never thought of using them for trout though since I don't usually bait fish except when I have some of my younger grandchildren with me.

The forum strikes another blow for angling pleasure. Great!

[loo10]

Do I carry circle hooks?

That sounds bad... I know I ordered some to check out... must have made it to the shop and on a shelf. What am I chargin' for them?

Ha-haaaaaaaa

This made me laugh out loud.

[John Smoot]

Phil's Marketing Department must be out of his control?!? Whatever...sounds like everyone's gonna need some circle hooks in size 10 and 12.

Phil, give the whole Marketing Department a raise. Tell your wife I suggested it...