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Circle Hooks - they do work!
Circle hooks - they do work! by Stephen Makin
(Autumn 2004 Edition)
Circle hooks are not new, neither to the UK or the fishing world. The American anglers have been using circle hooks for bait fishing for years. In the UK, long-liners have been using circle hooks for decades, certainly since the 50’s. I have been using circle hooks when bait fishing for pike for several years with great success. I have given lots of hooks out for people to try when bait fishing, but for some reason the recipient has never used them. A few years ago I started to use them when fly-fishing for pike and I do know that the trout lads use them when presenting static flies.
On my trip to Sweden this year I decided to give circle hooks a try on small spinners for perch. Lo and behold they worked. Why just for perch I hear you ask? Well the problem is that at the moment, as far as I am aware, there aren’t any circle hooks available with a big enough eye in the smaller sizes to fit on a split ring large enough to use on larger lures. Whereas on the smaller perch / trout size lures, split rings fit through the eye and onto the lure.
When using circle hooks, one has to remember not to strike but just keep on winding, until the weight of the fish is felt, then lift the rod. When fly-fishing, just keep on stripping the line in. Nine times out of ten, the fish are hooked in the scissors, or occasionally in the snout. I actually flatten the barbs on my hooks and I do not think that I lose fish because of it. Because of their shape, circle hooks also provide a certain degree of “weedlessness”. I am willing to cast them into snaggy swims, which is something I would have to think about if there was a treble on the end. At the moment I get my hooks from a friend in the states. I know that Harris (or Harris as was) sell circle hooks. The ones I use are fine wire ones from Eagle Claw. A size 1, being typical for a small spinner.
Give them a try, they are a lot kinder to the fish, easier to remove from the fish and what is more, no deep hooking (which is why I think they are excellent). I know some of you may think that because you do not strike, it is more like snaring your quarry, than hunting. It is a free country and your choice.
Me, when I get hold of some with bigger eyes, I will try them on bigger lures. I am not saying they are suitable for all types of lures, just a matter of sucking it and see.
