J hook vs Circle hook vs circle offset

Troller · 02-11-2003, 05:52 AM

Well salty's in doing more reading last night I came across the ? what type of hooks to use with baits. Now each different type of hook is going to have some good points and some downfalls. My understanding is a J hook is easier to set as it can catch on something easier. Also probably better for if you are a little trigger happy and dont wait to set the hook. The down fall is it can come unbuttoned easier. Then their is the circle hook in either a straight point or offset. You have to wait to set the hook till the fish swallows the bait. but once it is stuck in the fish chances are it wont come loose. Is thier a use for one versus the other . What are you prefernces. I picked up some 16/0 circle hooks on clearance for 50 cents apiece. The place was actually going out of buisness. How do you sharpen It looks like you should sharpen in 5 spots to get a good point. Also how do you guys rig do you use a spreader bar setup or a slider weight.

bait boy · 02-11-2003, 07:10 AM

This is the rig that is used by some of us halibut killers.

Some of us are starting to branch out and check on Jhooks and trolling for flattie.

NAUTI-NOTIONS · 02-11-2003, 08:43 AM

thats it,,, however I use 350# cord for the weight to slide on.

02-11-2003, 09:37 AM

For "shalow" Alaska fishing I wouldn't use circle hooks. I prefer two 10/0 Octopus hooks tied on 100# mono leader like a salmon mooching rig.
With the much greater depth off of the Oregon coast I would use circle hooks. Don't set the hook on the bite, just take up the slack and the fisk hooks itself in the corner of the mouth.

Bait Boy,
You did it again. Now I know the name of the Flemish eye :smile:

[ 02-11-2003, 11:04 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

Popeye · 02-11-2003, 10:28 AM

Keta.....Just remember "Eye of the storm" and "Flemish Cap"

tailchaser · 02-11-2003, 03:13 PM

My rig is similar to the one shown, but I have an 14" 100 lb mono sinker slide area and an #80 wire leader (for the toothy buggers) that's probably 12-16" long tipped with a 16/0 offset circle. I offset mine more than other people and I give it a good set when setting into the fish. Not a monsterous one, but very firm and it drives the point of the hook directly into the cheek of the 'but. We've experimented a lot in Alaska (I'm up there every other year for 8 days doing this) and off of oregon and it seems to be a great all around set up.

I'm a firm believer in setting the hook to some degree even with the circles because of the offset. Some will disagree, but I like knowing I've sunk the point into the fish early on. I've lost a lot of fish on traditional circles (mostly on the initial hookup), and "J" hooks. We've probably landed around 95% of the fish hooked using these methods. Didn't loose a single one in five trips last year. Most of the hooks are buried through the cheek area and are very solid and hard to even remove the hook in the boat occassionally.

Try some different rigs and see which one you prefer. Mine is set in stone by now after seeing about 1K 'buts hit the deck. If you want I can take a pic of the rig I like the most and why. I have some personal tricks I usually don't share, but for the salty dogs I could endulge a little.

tc

PeterMac · 02-11-2003, 11:39 PM

How heavy is that line? And is it mono?

Thanks
PeterMac

Threemuch · 02-11-2003, 11:45 PM

I use the circle hooks, on 170 pound wire. I give them a monster offset, about 3/4" and a three side point. Careful, these are galvanized hooks, once sharpened they will rust, so sharpen right before use.

I buy 20/0 from Seattle Marine, about .25 each. I put beads on the leader to keep the crimp from cutting a crossed line (learned that the hard way, and a hoochie above that.

I run the rig on a spreader, but I am experimenting with using a weight release.

KB

Troller · 02-12-2003, 05:06 AM

Tailchaser that would be great if you can get a picture. You all have great info and I am trying to absorb it all. I going to have enough infomation to make me dangerous. I cant weight to get out and do it

corrirod · 02-12-2003, 08:33 AM

This could be another good "show & tell" for the next TA meeting in Newport. Maybe everyone could bring one of their preferred rigs to show off?

tailchaser · 02-12-2003, 08:44 AM

I'd love to make one of those meetings sometime, however, I'm down here in no man's land it seems. When's the next one?? Maybe I can time it around when the herring will be in. Anyone know anything about that?? I'll take some pics tonight with the digital and try to upload 'em.

tc

corrirod · 02-12-2003, 08:47 AM

Tailchaser, the herring are in Newport right now and pretty thick, at least they were Saturday and Sunday. We took close to 5 limits.

The next TA meeting is set for March 15th in Newport. Hope you can make it.

tailchaser · 02-12-2003, 09:44 AM

Thanks for the update, I'll try and make the meeting for sure, I'll be coming back from portland with some business training on the 14th but I'll definitely do everything I can. Would like to meet everyone that's for sure. I might be able to drag along Lepper also.

tc

Pilar · 02-12-2003, 12:35 PM

Thanks baitboy for the flashback. That's the rig I use except I add a glow hootchie on the leader above the hook.

Make sure to sharpen and offset the circle hook. I have had no luck with setting a fish using circle hooks. When I get bit I reel up until I get tension. Once the rod is bowed hard, then give it a rip. If I set right when it bites, I miss everytime.

tailchaser · 02-12-2003, 01:14 PM

AHHHH, Pilar just gave away one of my little secrets I was saving to show people. The infamous glow in the dark hooch. I was at England's a couple of years ago and found some monsterous sized hoochies and half hoochies (skirt area only) that were glow in the dark in a huge bulk bag on clearance. So I fell for it, and found out they work marvelous for halibut, but not much else because of their size. The one other thing that's an absolute killer on the fish I'll have to hide and show it off at the meeting.
:grin:

Something an old-timer commercial guy told me about. And seems to work really well. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

tc

02-12-2003, 01:38 PM

And they work when your bait is gone.

wak'm&stak'm · 02-12-2003, 03:08 PM

That ain't even close to my rigg'n.

I am not a fan of circle hooks, they worked fine fishing off the anchor in Alaska and they are killers on longlines. But on a fast drift when it is difficult to give them time to swallow the bait I go for the J's. But to each their own.

I do run 2 baits, and often catch 2 at a time. We spoke of this before......and it is interesting that the majority of my fish are caught on the hook 3 ft above the lead.

WP · 02-13-2003, 03:46 PM

Coos Bay wow!
It has been a long time and it brings back a lot of memories from my youth. Lived and commercialed from the cape for a number of years! No herring there anymore? Some fabulous fishing there when I lived there.
I wouldn't mind going back for a trip sometime! Last fished there in 1975 so, many things have probably changed :smile:
WP

tailchaser · 02-14-2003, 07:13 AM

It's still really good fishing, the spots have changed a little from what the old timers tell me, but I think they all have. I can remember fishing out of Newport back in the day and the rockpile was a long way out, with tons of halibut on it. From what I hear that's not the case anymore.

The high spot is still the place to be for halibut. Actually my dad and I were one of the first people who started sportfishing that area about 12 years ago. Didn't take long for the word to get out on it that's for sure. I'm sure we weren't the first but it was fun kinda being a trendstarter. Anyhow, I'm going to start launching at Port Orford from now on. The halibut hole is only 18 miles out from there!! And the wind is at your back on the way in. If you ever come this way let me know.

tc