Conversation: Circle Hooks
by Bob Hetzler
The question of “what constitutes a circle hook and what circle hook should be used to proved the best survival of released fish has become more common today, especially to those anglers just switching to the use of circle hooks. Unfortunately, the recommendations for the switch to circle hooks has caused the hook manufactures to come up with various types of hooks that they call circle hooks. Many hooks now called circle hooks by manufactures look more like J-hooks with the exception that the tip point is bent inward. Others include complete circle hooks but with a n offset from five to fifteen degrees.
Some even start in a circle but half way through the circle, forms a straight end section with a wider opening between the eye of the hook and the end o the point.
The question of “what constitutes a circle hook and what circle hook should be used to proved the best survival of released fish has become more common today, especially to those anglers just switching to the use of circle hooks. Unfortunately, the recommendations for the switch to circle hooks has caused the hook manufactures to come up with various types of hooks that they call circle hooks. Many hooks now called circle hooks by manufactures look more like J-hooks with the exception that the tip point is bent inward. Others include complete circle hooks but with a n offset from five to fifteen degrees.
Some even start in a circle but half way through the circle, forms a straight end section with a wider opening between the eye of the hook and the end o the point.
Fortunately, there has been a lot of tests and experience in using all these various types or variations of circle hooks. The J-hook with the bent in tip was originally approved for us for bait fishing sailfish.
After several years of use, it was found that the gut, throat and gill hook level of this hook was really no different than when fishing with J-hooks. Based on the number of sailfish hooked in this manner, it’s a wonder it took NMFS so long to figure this out. Likewise, offset hooks end up with a higher percentage of gut, throat and gill hooked areas and thus are not recommended for use in replacement to J-hooks. Even some of the supposedly commercial circle hooks are not really circle hooks, but modified J-hooks.
So what does a NMFS approved circle hook look like an is it the one that provides the greatest survival of released fish? Recently, NMFS met with all the major hook manufacturers to define a circle hook and determine what circle hook NMFS would recommend to be used by the world marlin fisherman.
Unfortunately, we will have to wait a while longer because, as of this date, we have not heard the
results of this meeting.
We do know that any modified J-hooks do not work like a circle hook. We also know that all o set circle hooks also do not work correctly. The circle hook that appears to work the best, according to the experts, is one in which, by placing a circle hook on a horizontal surface, both the hook eye and the hook point should point away from the vertical surface on each side. In other words, the hook should make more than a 220 degree circle with the point angled in words the circle. It appears the Gamakatsu circle hook best meets the above description. He Eagle Claw also comes close while the owner circle hook is slightly more open between the hook and the shank of the hook. So what circle hook should you use? Most o the tests done on stripped and white marlin were conducted with the Eagle Claw L2004ES (non offset) circle hook in the 9/0 size. Eagle Claw also makes a L2004F circle hook with a slight off st. This hook was tested and found to work identically as the non-offset circle hook.
It would appear that any of the above mentioned brand of circle hooks will work just fine. Eagle Claw and Owner Mutu hooks have greater size selection than the Gamakasu Circle hook. As to the recommended circle to use, I guess we will just have to wait to see what the experts at NMFS have to say.