Lings on circles?

Clarity · 03-20-2003, 01:34 AM

I was doing a little catch-up on this page and came across the thread on using circle hooks for halibut. You guys have almost got me sold, but will I still hook the incidental lings and rockfish with circles? I'd just as soon not get any rockfish at the rockpile, given the yelloweye/canary restrictions on halibut days, but I like those occasional lings!

Mark Mc · 03-20-2003, 07:14 AM

Hey Chris, how are ya? Did you get the shirt?

You can still catch any / all fish on circles that you would on standard J hooks. That's assuming you fish it like a circle (i.e. not immediately setting the hook).

Circle hooks have been the standard for commercial rockfish set lines (non rod & reel) for years. In fact, as fiesty as lings are, you're less likely to lose one on the way up with a circle than a J hook.

See you later.........Mark

Clarity · 03-20-2003, 08:16 PM

Hey, Mark. Yeah, I got the shirt but you must not have got my e-mail thanking you! So here it is...Thanks! Thanks for the info on circle hooks too.

tailchaser · 03-21-2003, 07:24 AM

We pulled up 4 monster lings last year on one trip while halibut fishing. Didn't have a problem with the circles.

tc

Threemuch · 03-21-2003, 11:02 PM

Circles work good on lings, we took 8 or so in a half dozen trips on 16/0 circles.

Pilar · 03-25-2003, 03:02 PM

Another vote for circles on Lings. Just remember to not set the hook. Just reel down easy until you get some tension and bent 'po and then start in with the REEL, REEL, REEL ......

I've caught rockfish, Lings, even Kings on circle hooks.

To be fair to J hooks ... last summer we caught Ling, Halibut and Kings on the same 40#, 4/0 and 5/0 salmon mooching leaders and whole herring. The lings really tear up the leaders. It's good for one fish then you have to change it.

Clarity · 03-25-2003, 09:58 PM

Thanks, guys, I'm sold.