Fishing tackle: Hooks

Hooks:

There are two main groups of hooks that are currently used for rock and surf fishing:

• Circle Hooks;
• “J “ Hooks and;


Circle hooks were introduced in South Africa recently, in the last 3-4 years and quickly are becoming very popular amongst anglers. They are not a new technological invention, as the Polynesian circle hook has been the most efficient hooking device known to early man.

It is a fact that the mortality of released circle hooked fish is a significant fraction of that of released “J” hooked fish. The fact is, circle hooks greatly reduce mortality of circle hooked released fished, and it is time we all learn how to fish with them.

The most important thing you need to know about circle hook mechanics is that it is imperative that the fish is GOING AWAY from you when you set the hook. Unlike a “J” hook, the circle hook is not set by striking on the rod with force.

When a fish has taken your bait, and it swims away from you, THEN AND ONLY THEN, come tight for the hook set. Do not strike!!!

Each species has it's own particular feeding behaviours, and some lend themselves well to high circle hook-up ratios by their very nature.

When the fish start GOING AWAY FROM YOU ON THE STRIKE.

You simply:

• point the rod tip in their direction;
• let a second or two worth of line peel from your reel;
• lock it in gear;
• and let the line come tight until the fish pulls drag;

The rounded bend design at the tip of a circle hook, doesn’t allow it to snag a gill arch or become engorged in the gut. Instead, as it exits the mouth, it efficiently finds the corner of the fish’s mouth and immediately punctures thru the soft tissue connecting the maxilla bone to the jaws. The fish isn’t hurt by having a hook lodged in its throat as with a “J” hook, and the circle hooks bend will not allow the hook to back out. A fish securely hooked on a circle hook is rarely lost during the fight. Always "Snell" your circle hook!
Example of a “J “Hook


Example of a Circle Hook