Circle Hooks Lower Catch Rate for Offshore Anglers, Impacting Recreational Fishing

HarleyK

Canister Man
Staff member
Global Moderator
MFK Member
Aug 17, 2005
6,915
1,601
1,453
USA
ScienceDaily (Mar. 28, 2012) — Anglers are required to use circle hooks in some fishing tournaments because they are less likely to cause lethal injuries in billfish, such as marlin. However, research from North Carolina State University shows that broadening circle hook requirements could adversely impact charter and recreational fishing, since they make it more difficult to catch non-billfish.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120328113330.htm

120328113330.jpg

120328113330.jpg
 

wantokeeptrout

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Apr 26, 2011
1,122
2
53
Ontario
I say deal with it. Much more fun and rewarding to catch fish with more difficult setups plus improved survival rates are always a plus for the industry as a whole. Plus it makes release far less stressful and dangerous for the fish or anglers. Though i don't have to almost all of my hooks are barbless.
 

sbuse

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 1, 2009
7,728
10
0
37
IN YOUR HEAD
i personally hate circle hooks. never have had ANY work the way they were supposed to. octopus hooks for the win!
 

NCStateFisher

Polypterus
MFK Member
Sep 27, 2010
3,814
122
96
NC
to hell with commercial fisheries anyways, though i think for charters they should allow regular hooks, if you're dealing with people that dont know what they're doing and you're trying to get em on fish - need every advantage possible
 

likestofish

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Sep 7, 2007
2,958
16
38
Duluth, GA
If it protects the fish leave them be. It is called fishing not catching. You just got to learn how to use the circle hooks.
 

Lepisosteus platyrhincus

Polypterus
MFK Member
Nov 9, 2008
6,765
17
92
In the caiman den
Screw the circle hooks. They suck out loud
 

TheTedP

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 23, 2012
11
0
0
Central Florida
They work fine unless you are conditioned to set the hook or pull while the fish is running towards you. My experience with both fresh and salt water fishing is that if you do it right, you'll get a corner of the mouth hook up.

I've even been successful fishing largemouth with a senko hooked wacky and thought the end with circle hooks.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 

shamboner

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 18, 2008
61
0
6
FL
I have never had an issue with circle hooks and prefer them when ever im using live or fresh bait.
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store