Circle hooks for sturgeon?

Any of you Sturgeon fishers tried circle hooks and if so what did you think. I have been meaning to try them to see if they would improve hookup per bite ratio.

I am new to Ifish and have been very impressed with the information available here. I will do my best to make a positive contribution when I can.

JH

Hi 'plugger. I haven't tried them. When I went sturgeon fishing with SG Bill recently his friend Stan talked about using those with a poor sucess ratio. Anyone else try them? They work for halibut. - RT

[Fish4Fun]

Hi CP,

I have never tried them, but from what I understand on how they hook up I really don't think they would work. When the Sturgeon are doing a real lite bite, you want to be able to stick him when he has it and a circle hook isn't used that way. I fish keepers all summer and there are times when you need to set the hook on the lightest of nibbles. With the circle hook you just start putting the pressue on and it sort of sets itself.

Fish4Fun

[4u2fish]

This year I have noticed a trend in the sturgeon bite. In past years they would hammer your bait and your rod would bend/bounce in the holder. You could tell a keeper from a shaker by the bite (in most cases).

This year has been different though. All of the bites have been nibbles. Although from time to time you still get the good rod slams. My key to continueing to catch them has been **patience** after the first nibble hold your rod and keep your line tite. Feel the fish and get to know how it is biteing on your line before attempting the hookset (9 out of 10 times they will stay around long enough to feel them out).

And if you miss the hookset just let your bait drop back down generally they will come right back to it.

Above all else be patient, have fun and wait for the right opportunity to set the hook..

If your back is getting sore your probably doing it right hehe

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AKC H2O-K9