|
|
Post by CatfishBilly on Mar 2, 2004 1:09:36 GMT -5
Just wondering if any of you have used circle hooks and what did you think about them? I have mixed feelings about them myself, and a popular catfish guide I know cant stand them. Just curious as to what you guys think.
Peace,
Bill
|
|
|
|
Post by Shorthair on Mar 2, 2004 4:19:49 GMT -5
I haven't seen them yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by senecabow on Mar 2, 2004 4:39:23 GMT -5
I don't like them at all. You can't teach this old dog new ways to hook fish. When I set a hook on a fish, I try to rip it's head off.  That kind of hook set dosen't work well with circle hooks. Now, my grandson loves the things, just pick up the rod and start reeling in the line.  |
|
|
|
Post by hunt4fun1 on Mar 2, 2004 8:50:02 GMT -5
2 years ago, I did a guided striper trip and the guide used circle hooks. They really don't have to be "set". Every set was in the corner of the mouth. That was the only time I had ever even seen them used. I have 2 pacs in my tackle box that I bought last year for white bass and I have never opened them. I guess I am a traditionalist. |
|
|
|
Post by hunt4fun1 on Mar 2, 2004 8:51:16 GMT -5
I might also add that the guide had yellow and red circle hooks.
We caught more fish on the yellow. We only caught one on the red.
|
|
|
|
Post by hoythunter48 on Mar 5, 2004 23:41:49 GMT -5
I use gamagakstu octopus circle hooks for catfishing and really like them. Also I like the lo42 eagle claw hooks for catfishin as well its a no frills hook with an offset shank that i really have had good luck with, as for the circle octopus hooks, i love them becasue you still get a hookset with them and its usualyl right in the corner of the mouth, im not a big fan of regular cirlces though.
|
|
L2B
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by L2B on Apr 7, 2004 17:59:22 GMT -5
One problem there is you said you set the hook with a circle hook. You don't need to set the hook, when the fish turns to make a run you will almost always get a hookset in the corner of the mouth. Let him take it and he'll hook himself..you just lean back and reel. I've used circle hooks for years on the James River and wouldn't use anything else. I have switched recently from Gamagakstu Circles to the Daichi Bleeding Reds...
|
|
|
|
Post by flhuntress on Apr 7, 2004 19:28:26 GMT -5
welcome L2B ;D
|
|
L2B
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by L2B on Apr 8, 2004 18:54:47 GMT -5
Hey Huntress....Hows it been going? Long time no type  |
|
|
|
Post by hunt4fun1 on Apr 9, 2004 23:38:46 GMT -5
Welcome, L2B.
Hope to see you around a bit!
|
|
|
|
Post by CatfishBilly on Apr 11, 2004 11:43:38 GMT -5
NOOOOO...no way, never again. I went out fri. and had a live crappie sitting along the edge of a hole when...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...there it went and went hard. Well I had a 8/0 Gamakatsu circle hook on there, so just as I should, I picked the rod up, slowly moved the rod tip to the side and began to just reel. I totally missed the fish! There is no doubt in my mind that had I had an octopus hook on there like I normally use I would have crossed that cats eyes on the hookset. Needless to say, I quickly cut off that hook, and replaced it. I will not use them again. Bill  |
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Apr 11, 2004 20:37:30 GMT -5
Billy I am a firm believer in choosing the right tool for each job. Circle hooks are great when used in current. My first time using them was for Tarpon in the Florida keys years ago. My last time using them was on the James river for blue cats in December. I normally fish in lakes for flathead catfish. I target trophy size cats and often have to wait 3 or more nights for a bite. I use Kahle wide gap hooks in lakes because it gives me the option of when to set the hook. With a circle hook I would have to hope the flathead would load up the rod and hook itself before dropping the bait because it had an unusual feel. The only time I would feel comfortable using circle hooks in lakes is when fishing straight down from a boat like they do at Santee Cooper. Also drifting for blues where the boat will produce the same effect as current. It is nice to have the best equipment you can find. It is even more important to fish smart and be prepared to fight big fish  I have had so many times that I made the wrong moves with big fish that I was bound to get better. |
|
|
|
Post by CatfishBilly on Apr 19, 2004 23:13:51 GMT -5
Well the circle hook thing was more of a "lets see what all the hype is about" kinda thing. Well if it aint broke dont fix it right? I may miss one to two fish a year on octopus hooks. I know had I used one I would have had the fish without a doubt.
I will agree though kahle hooks are good hooks, I use them alot when I fish for smaller cats but havent used them on bigger fish.
Ive been impressed thus far with the 7/0 Owner SSW hooks I bought this year. Lessons learned.
Tight lines,
Bill
|
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Apr 20, 2004 21:26:46 GMT -5
Maybe I should quit using Kahle hooks and foolin around with these smaller cats.  Get me some octopus hooks so I could catch some big ones |
|
|
|
Post by CatfishBilly on Apr 21, 2004 0:04:52 GMT -5
The kahle hooks I have are smaller ones so Ive never tried them out for bigger cats. I started using octopus hooks when I first started fishing for trophy catfish and just never really tried anything else.
If I come across any bigger ones this season Ill put a couple on and see how I like'em.
Peace,
Bill
|
|
That kind of hook set dosen't work well with circle hooks.
