How to use circle hooks

Circle hooks have been around since the year dot. Commercial fishers use them on their longlines and even early native fishers created circle hooks from shell. Today, purpose-made circle hooks not dissimilar from ancient patterns have become mainstream for all the right reasons.

Circle hooks have been shown to increase the survival of released fish. With their success already proven for many game fish species, these hooks are now used increasingly for many other common recreational species including bream, flathead and kingfish.

Many studies have shown that one of the most influential factors affecting the survival of fish released by anglers relates to where the fish was hooked. Specifically, survival has been shown to be greatly reduced for fish that are deeply hooked in the throat or beyond.

WHAT IS A CIRCLE HOOK
A circle hook is a fishing hook manufactured so that the point is turned perpendicularly back to the hook shank to form a generally circular or oval shape in the gape.

Various studies have shown that circle hooks lodge in the mouth and jaw hinge for a greater proportion of fish than typical “J” pattern hooks.

However, there is a caveat. You don't set the hook and strike on the bite like you do with a conventional J-shaped hook. You just let the action of the fish moving away with the bait hook itself.

TOPS FOR GAME FISH
Most keen game fishers know that circle hooks are great for catch and release because the hook is usually pinned in the corner of the fish's jaw, minimising damage and enabling clean unhooking.

The other great benefit of these innovative hooks is that they provide a very secure hook-set, resulting in better catch rates. So not only are circles best for fish welfare, they also help you catch more fish.

HOW TO USE A CIRCLE HOOK
To optimise hook ups, it's important to use a bridle when presenting a large or live bait on a circle hook and to make sure you don't strike. You also don't need to free-spool the bait after it's been taken for long.

Jut lock up the drag on strike — that is one third of the breaking strain of the line — when the fish is swimming away from you and you should come tight.

Non-offset hooks are best and snelling can improve results when using circle hooks.

BENEFITS IN BRIEF
>> Reduced deep hooking – improved survival of released fish and decreased loss of fishing tackle.
>> Improved hook-up and landing rates for many species.
>> The strike time is not as crucial for hook-up of fish.
>> Lighter leaders/traces can be used as the line is generally away from abrasive mouth surfaces.
>> Circle hooks bring about many benefits for anglers, but they do require a few minor changes to your normal fishing techniques.

Once you learn how to use them, you won't go back!

This article was courtesy of NSW DPI. More at its Circle Hook page.