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Circle hooks


Ozark Flyer

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Pulled the hook on three fish today and one yesterday and I’m not happy about it.  Felt the fish on all three strikes and popped the hook out after just a seeond or two.  I’m new to Striper fishing but not new to circle hooks.  Should I go back to J’s?

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If you are "setting" the hook up DON"T... the circles are designed to pull in to the corner of the mouth as the fish pulls against the tension on the line as they swim away...

I had the same trouble, at first, but I went to the next larger size hook and quit "setting" the hook and 80% of the time, I got the fish to the boat....

"Look up OPTIMIST in the dictionary - there is a picture of a fishing boat being launched"

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With a circle, just reel until you are fighting the fish.

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Stripers & whites seem to hit a bait and turn so they are moving away and get the circle hook properly. My problem with circles is bass as they seem to inhale the bait from the rear. almost impossible to remove a deep circle hook.  When I lose a striper i usually figure the hook just pulled out of tissue and that is caused by too small of a hook with not enough gap to get in the grisle.  Like Stump said, at least a 3/0. JMO

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22 hours ago, Stump bumper said:

What size are you using, I had the same problem with 1/0 and 2/0, nothing smaller that 3/0 and 4 and larger are better.

Thanks for the comments guys.  Was fishing 3/0.  I know how to set a circle hook.  I have fished them with other species for years.  Lost more on Stripers in the past week than lost on Redfish in 10 years.  I’m befuddled....(more than usual).

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Have you thought about drag? I use 40lb braid and have straighten split rings and pulled out hooks on really nice fish due to the drag being too tight  on more occasions then I will own up too. I also have busted rod holders and almost lost poles due to snagging trees when the drag was too tight. Then when I have the drag loose and adjust it when fighting a fish I have turned it too tight and lost the fish by pulling out the hook.

I did that very thing while talking to Dan when one hit last year and he saw me loose a really nice fish and that hurt worse then loosing one without anyone around. 

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55 minutes ago, Stump bumper said:

have straighten split rings and pulled out hooks on really nice fish due to the drag being too tight  on more occasions then I will own up too. I also have busted rod holders and almost lost poles due to snagging trees when the drag was too tight.

Been there and done that. I can't say I've broke rod holders though, but I have broken hooks. It Sucks to learn the hard way don't it. 

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