NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => Helping Each Other Out => Topic started by: adesai73 on February 21, 2008, 09:34:08 PM
-
So many styles, brands and sizes out there and there doesn't seem to be any sort of standard. Not one that I can see, at least.
What do you use all the different types for? I've picked up on the fact that the circle hooks tend not to gut hook fish, improving their survival rate upon release. Beyond that, I'm not so sure what I'm looking for or not looking for.
-
when chunking bunker for bluefish I use a size 6/0-8/0 baitholder. For fluke I use 4/0.
-
are those sizes standard across the range of manufacturers? maybe i'm not looking hard enough, but it seems to me that there's no real, hard and fast standard that all the hook makers use when assigning sizes.
also, what is the 6/0, 8/0, whatever/0, a measure of, if anything?
-
idk i think they are all pretty close. The smallest hook is i think size 16(used for really small bluegill and such) and that goes down to size 1. size 1 being bigger than sizes 2-16. then size 1/0 is bigger than 1 and size 2/0 is bigger than 1/0 and so on.
-
whatever the style.. Gammies.. all the way
-
idk i think they are all pretty close. The smallest hook is i think size 16(used for really small bluegill and such) and that goes down to size 1. size 1 being bigger than sizes 2-16. then size 1/0 is bigger than 1 and size 2/0 is bigger than 1/0 and so on.
thanks for clearing that lil' mystery up! very helpful post.
-
here hope trhis link helps
http://www.fishing-blog.co.uk/fishing-tackle/fishing-hooks-%e2%80%93-shapes-and-sizes/
-
quite helpful, thanks! does that page cover most of the basic hook styles that are available? also, what they call an abderdeen hook...is that similar to an english hook?
-
Hi Ash,
You had me thinking on this one for the simplest way to explain it but in doing so I found a site that explained it in very simple terms. There are two pages and it is a good start. I hope this helps. But the bottom line comes down to trial and error. Enjoy the journey.
http://saltfishing.about.com/od/tackleandaccessories/a/aa060531a.htm
Happy Catching
Paul
-
Cool article, Paul, thanks. I think you're spot on about trial and error. So much tackle and terminal tackle choices out there that it probably, with some guidance, comes down to what works for the individual fisherman.
Journey restarts on 3/1! Can't wait...!
-
I am so ready, I'm bursting at the seams.
Are you planning on going out? The 1st is a Sat. That should make for an interesting weekend. All the beaches should be packed with guys feeling the same way.
I was planning on doing some scouting the back part of IBSP on the bay side and trying some bucktails or even some fly patterns back there. The water will be cold but who knows what could be lurking in the warmer shallows.
Happy Catching
Paul
-
I'm going to try using circle hooks, I purchased some Gamakatsu hooks in red. t^
-
About 2 years ago I started "playing" with circles. Capt. Lou Grazioso introduced me to them with good success. Last spring, I started using them from the surf and continued the success.
They take a bit to get the feel down for them. The hardest thing is to not set the hook which is strange.
Good luck. I don't mind circles at all.
-
I use circle hooks from the surf exclusively. Especially if I have non fisher persons out. Dead sticking so to speak. I set them up with a full rigged outfit and tell them once they see the pole bend over do not jerk the pole but just to start to reel slowly at first and once they know the fish is hooked it is OK to reel faster.
I have not lost a fish on since switching over.
I would recommend using the circle hook especially if you plan on catch and release. Even if not there are a lot more under sized fish that you will be releasing why risk the fishes life by gut hooking when there is a solution that works as great as this hook does.
Happy Catching
Paul
-
For General fishing the Octopus style hooks are my favorite. Any of the major brands in their super sharp models are effective. Right now the most popular brand at least in my store is Gamakatsu. If the red color helps out i'm not sure, but I usually use them because I don't think it hurts and they are pretty.
Circle hooks defiantely have their place and they are being made the only legal choice more and more. From the surf or dead baiting they are probably the best choice. For large live baits i have found that they don't turn properly if hooked in a normal fashion. I've had more luck with the octopus hooks. There is supposed to be much better hook up with big baits if you bridal the baits and keep the hook on the outside.
For big clam baits and chunks for stripers the Mustad bait holders are the only ones that are available in 8/0 and 9/0. These are great hooks, but they are not as sharp out of the box as the specialized super sharp hooks so if you are out to hook them all you should touch them up with a file.
-
Good advise. I don't think the red has any effect on anything except our senses. Red is the first color to be lost under water anyway. So it will appear almost black or a very dark shade of gray.
I always carry a hook sharpener with me it is good practice to do an occasional sharpening especially if you are catching fish on that hook.
I have also gotten into the habit of crimping down on the barb because I release all my personal catches. If anyone that goes fishing with me I give them the option.
Chemically sharpened hooks are great but they cost more and as I sharpen them anyway I always buy conventionally sharpened hooks unless I can get a deal.
Off the surf I will use anywhere from a 3/0 to 9/0 offset circle Gami, depending on the average size of the fish that are running. If I am going for that cow well lets say, I'm out there to catch fish and if a big hook is not catching I will switch to a smaller hook just to keep on catching.
If I use the circle hook for a teaser fly I will switch to a in-line circle only because it gives a better presentation. But most of my teasers are on a long shank O’SHAUGHNESSY or KAHLE.
Happy Catching
Paul
-
If you are not sure what a Kahle hook looks like here is an example.
The main difference between this hook and the circle is that the point of the hook is pointing toward the hooks eye where the circle hook is pointed more inward toward the shank.
The Kahle hook will give you more gut hook ups than the circle that is why I only use them sparingly and only on teasers with short leaders.
Paul
-
try the in-line circles ;)
-
In-line circles are Ok but I find of the surf and with newbie anglers the offset works better. I seem to get more hook ups.
In-line circle hooks seem to work best for offshore large bill fish. I know they will work on other species but I have found that the offset still work better for me.
Paul
-
Cirle hooks make hooking big baits difficult, especially nose-hooking big fatback bunker. I generally prefer to go with big, red hooks in like a 7/0 or 8/0 size. Baitholders can be nice but they restrict the hook to various limited uses like clamming and chunking. For livelining, my favorite bass strategy, no baitholders is better. Double offset is nice.
On every lure i use fir bluefish, i replace trebles with single hooks. It makes everything much easire and safer.
For fluke, i like 4/0 or 5/0 sickle hooks. they make the bait run better underwater.
-
That is so true I have switched over to single hooks a while ago and have found my casts are much longer as the lure runs truer.
Just make sure when you switch over to sharpen all hooks for better and easier penetration.
Boy I can't wait till March 1st to try the back waters of IBSP. I think this year is going to be one of the best. My daughter is already thinking of ways to go out fishing and working around her work before college starts.
I am lookin g forward to the company.
Paul
-
Cirle hooks make hooking big baits difficult, especially nose-hooking big fatback bunker. I generally prefer to go with big, red hooks in like a 7/0 or 8/0 size. Baitholders can be nice but they restrict the hook to various limited uses like clamming and chunking. For livelining, my favorite bass strategy, no baitholders is better. Double offset is nice.
On every lure i use fir bluefish, i replace trebles with single hooks. It makes everything much easire and safer.
For fluke, i like 4/0 or 5/0 sickle hooks. they make the bait run better underwater.
What type of hooks do you use when you remove the treble hooks on your lures when bluefishing ???
-
Thank you, everyone, for all the information. As always, you guys come through in the clutch.
Paul, I'd love to get out on 3/1, but Kean Univ. is having their grad school open house on that day. I've shared with you how much I "love" my job, so I think going to the open house is more pressing. Can't well complain about things if you're not willing to do the work to make changes and better the situation, ya know?
I'm probably preaching to the choir, aren't I? TT^
-
I hear ya my friend. It is just the start of the season, plenty of time for R&R later in the summer.
Good luck on your endeavors. I do not blame you one bit. Can you say recidivism rate??? bngh 5hrug bngh
Paul
-
Can you say recidivism rate??? bngh 5hrug bngh
Paul
Blood. Pressure. Rising...
Thank God there are still a few cases I get where the kid and family are really wanting to get help and work towards solving their problems. It's these people that make my work any kind of rewarding at all.
-
Diamonds in the Rough...
-
I actually tied a couple of clousers with circle hooks. I caught a Lrg. Mouth Bass with it and I got a perfect hook set right in the corner of the mouth. They aren't the best for tying flies so I hardly ever use them.
-
Sorry Hunter,
You can use any hook that is close to the size of the treble hook. Plus on some of my plugs I remove the belly hook if I am targeting blues. Remember blues will always go for the tail section first. I have not had any problem with bite offs. I am a true believer that it is the knot and not the fish that is breaking the line.
There is a tremendous torque put on that knot and if you have a nick or scratch or a weak knot for that matter, it will break in a heart beat.
Happy Catching
Paul
-
;) thanks for the info
-
In-line circles are Ok but I find of the surf and with newbie anglers the offset works better. I seem to get more hook ups.
In-line circle hooks seem to work best for offshore large bill fish. I know they will work on other species but I have found that the offset still work better for me.
Paul
With circle hooks, you still get gut hooks. In-line circles, you get the least gut hooks(least hook ups too). Off-set, you get less gut hook ups than J-hooks, but more than in-line.
That's from what I read. I get more fish on offests too.
I prefer the offets too. Even if I can find an offset J-hook, I'd prefer that over a strait J.
-
I agree. I use offset J hooks on all my teasers and have had good success. I usually buy then in bags of 100 at the flea markets and I like the gold plated ones best, in a 2/0 or 3/0 size.
Paul
-
I like using circles (various sizes depending on bait size) for bunker chunks & live lining.
For clamming I perfer baitholders (6/0s) as I feel they hold the clam on better (although I have used circles in the past with clams & had good success).
For fluking it depends on where and what technique I'm using. If I'm using light spinning tackle & fishing shallow water with just a single spearing for bait then it's a #1 or 1/0 hook Octopus. If I'm fluking in the bay or river then it's a 2/0 or 3/0 Octopus. Ocean fluking or using live peanuts/snappers it's a 4/0 Octopus.
I'm a big fan of Gamakatsu hooks.
-
I use Owner or Gamakatsu 5/0 circle hooks when using live eels or spot on the rips. Up in the Del. Bay in the spring using surf clam for bait while Drum and Striper fishing. I use 9/0 Gamakatsu circle hook. In the fall chunking bunker I also use a 9/0 gamakatsu circle hook. For bottom fishing I use a 2/0 or 3/0 Kahle style hook. With teasers or plain. They work well.
-
Gammi octopus always- 3/0-4/0=tog and sea bass ,4/0-5/0=fluke,weaks,6/0-10/0 bass and blues t^