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Reviewing
circle hooks
I've heard and read quite a few opinions now
of the circle hook and worryingly found many to be
either all or nothing for or against. From my point
of view I would always carry them although I appreciate
that they are not a standard answer. But then, isn't
that the same with every hook? You wouldn't use one
type of hook for every fishing trip you embark
upon, would you?
The main argument is minimising damage to the
fish for catch and release purposes versus higher
levels of missed catches, an accusation firmly laid
at the feet of the circle hook. I think there can
be little question that they are a favourable hook
from a conservation point of view by avoiding deep
hooking and certainly for me, all of my prizes on
a circle have been beautifully mouth hooked and easily
released. However, I have indeed missed catches but
I put these down to my early inexperience with the
circle hook and my natural reaction to strike when
feeling a bite which would just serve to pull the
hook clean out of the fishes mouth. What I should
have done was leave well alone, let out some line
and let the hook and the fish do the rest.
Since learning to hold back and suppress my automatic
reactions, I haven't missed any more runs than I would
on average with any of my other hooks. Just keep the
bait clear of the hook point even using bait elastic
if you feel it stops the bait slipping down to conceal
the point and on feeling a bite, just leave the hook
to do it's job. My advice would be to carry a good
selection of different hooks in your box for all round
fishing coverage of which the circle hook can surely
be allocated a place.
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