To circle or not to circle....that is the ?'s

Fishmstr · 06-16-2003, 09:24 PM

During the last halibut opener we fished 4 days. The first day we had our limit by 10 a.m. using circle hooks...not a problem. The next day we landed no keepers, but lost several soon after the take. Then on saturday we switched to J hooks and landed 3, but still lost a few fish.

I just don't know what to do. We don't set the hook on either the J's or circles, just wind really fast after waiting a few seconds after a take. I just don't have faith in circle hooks, but know that they are supposed to work.

What do you guys fish with?

thanks,
steve

Orca · 06-16-2003, 09:42 PM

Circles, and waiting a few seconds is not enough I don't believe. I will wait 10 - 20 seconds till things feel right to me, then start the hoisting process.

WP · 06-16-2003, 10:31 PM

I just started to use the circles....wait until the rod is doubled over! Lost one fish in 4 days, and that was a huge fish that pulled off about halfway up...my guess is that the hook was through the thin part of the mouth (unlucky). Usually the hook is deep and secure. It is hard to wait until the rod is bent completely over and the fish is pulling line out, but it works! I will never go back to "J" hooks for flatties.
WP

corrirod · 06-16-2003, 10:51 PM

If you've ever "boondogged" it's kind of the same thing. It's the hardest thing in the world for a fisherman to get a hit and not want to set the hook. Cruel and unusual punishment actually. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] But if you can be patient it works!

WP · 06-16-2003, 11:13 PM

Good training for springers on the Columbia, on Kwikfish...patience...patience...damn it, I don't have very much!
WP :grin:

Fishmstr · 06-17-2003, 07:55 AM

Great advice guys...thanks

06-17-2003, 08:28 AM

In deep water circle hooks are the only way to go.
When you feel a hit let the fish have free line until it stops running. Put your reel in gear and when you feel the fish again start to reel in.

HawgJaw · 06-17-2003, 08:46 AM

I only use J hooks. I like to set the hook. I've found that since I've started using shad and black cod for bait the halis suck the baits way down (and I'm using huge bait with big J hooks sticking out of each end of them). There's nothing better than to set the hook (as hard as you can) and only be able to move the rod 1 foot. I've found that needle sharp hooks make all the difference in the hook up percentage. I tie up all my baits/leaders the night before fishing. That way you get more actual fishing time and less looking down

on the rough days. HJ

BUGLEMAN · 06-17-2003, 08:57 AM

I like them both either way but the last few times I went out, I had success using large J hooks. I love that herring, black cod, herring sandwich injected and loaded up with herring oil. I usually do pretty well with that set up. The sandwich is cool because if the first layer is stripped off the next layer slides on down to the J-hook. Just don't let that fish pass you if you aren't using a circle hook.

[ 06-17-2003, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: BUGLEMAN ]