Circle Hooks or J-Hooks?

[brian8980]

So which one does everyone use, what is it used for and what is your opinion on this.  Also what brand/make hook.  Just trying to become a more versital fisherman.  Thanks.

Gimper

[Pfishingruven]

I use both...when I bait fish, which is very rare!  I use circle hooks for dead sticking and J Hooks when I am actively fishing bait and the bite is picky.  Circle hooks are a much safer bet for C&R and does lower the instances of gut hooking.  So that is a bonus right there.  Circle hooks do take the "setting the hook" fun and drama out of fishing, though .

As for brands...I use VMC Hooks, but Owner, Gamakatsu, Eagle Claw Lazer are all good options. 

Whichever brand, you need a hook sharpener at some point.  A sharp hook could be the difference between catching and not.  If you get a lot of run offs and no hook ups, could be that the fish is able to throw your hook...sharpening it can really improve on this.  Also hook size and amount of bait can affect this as well.

 

[ped579]

Why am I having De Ja Vouis???  I switched over to all circle hooks a long time ago.  Simply put, it is a safer way to make sure you have the fish on and that the fish will not get gut hooked if you do C&R like I do.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Luna Sea 5]

dump the circle hooks... J hooks all the way.. point proven a few years back.

[Hotrod]

As a "seasoned Captain" told me.. after asking him.

" I want to catch my fish and ensure they get a good hook set"

[Luna Sea 5]

i put this to the test a while back with uncle luna.  Yes, the circle hooks caught all fish in the lip, but the J hooks got 75% more hook ups. 

[ped579]

All I can say is I have caught more off the surf on circle hooks than anything else.  In any case, they both will catch fish you have to be your own judge, but my vote goes to the circle hook.   

[Duffman]

While using circle hooks, its almost IMPOSSIBLE to overcome your natural tendency to rear back and plant the hook!  At least for me, anyway.

Did a side by side test with a buddy on 2 trips last year, chunking both clams and bunker. Hookup ratio was nearly identical (if you were disciplined enough to NOT attempt a hook set with the circles).

One problem I have had over the last 2 seasons is with Mahi. Tried using circle hooks on multiple trips, and the circles did not work out for me at all. I figured the mahi were tailor made for the circle since they pick up the bait and run like hell.  Just didnt work out right. Missed multiple pick-ups over and over with squid and butterfish chunks.

Bottom line is I'm partial to j-hooks, cant get out of that hook setting reaction I've been taught my whole life.

[Luna Sea 5]

i look at it this way.. If there is a trophy fish on the other end of the line, I don'e mind the fish swallowing the hook, as long as I land him..