Circle Fish Hooks versus O'Shaugnessy and Octopus Fish Hooks

I found this article on the different types of hooks and catch rates.

Willbd

http://www.fishing.sh/htmfiles/hookreports/tyingvssnelling.html

I always get confused when people say that circle hooks are better for the fishery.

Consider the following.  Let's say that all those fish were let go and that the gut hooked had 100% mortality rate and the lipped hook had 10% mortality rate.  The circles still killed more total fish.  How is that better for the fishery?   

I also often wonder how long line tests correlate to hook and line fishermen.  For instance, Joe Fisherman can set the hook while yelling "SON!", while the long line offers passive resistance.

-Allen

I always get confused when people say that circle hooks are better for the fishery.

Consider the following.  Let's say that all those fish were let go and that the gut hooked had 100% mortality rate and the lipped hook had 10% mortality rate.  The circles still killed more total fish.  How is that better for the fishery?   

I also often wonder how long line tests correlate to hook and line fishermen.  For instance, Joe Fisherman can set the hook while yelling "SON!", while the long line offers passive resistance.

-Allen

Joe Fisherman exerts different resistance depending on whether they are on shore, power boat, or kayak.  Kayak provides the least resistance.  I am starting to feel better about the circle hooks but You need to give time for the bait to be fully engulfed and also I think some "setting" of the hook is required.  Not the yank, but a good hard long pull whether it be paddling away from the fish or letting it pull you perpendicular versus in a straight line.  I don't think the few pounds of force required to get the kayak moving is enough to properly set a circle hook if a big halibut or ling cod has the bait firmly gripped in its mouth.

here's a similar study that shows snelled circle hooks are 30% to 40% better than unsnelled or backwards snelled (front threading vs back threading see the illustration on page 406 which is the 12th page of the link.)
http://www.iphc.int/publications/rara/2000RARA/RARA00_12.pdf

Joe Fisherman exerts different resistance depending on whether they are on shore, power boat, or kayak.  Kayak provides the least resistance.  I am starting to feel better about the circle hooks but You need to give time for the bait to be fully engulfed and also I think some "setting" of the hook is required.  Not the yank, but a good hard long pull whether it be paddling away from the fish or letting it pull you perpendicular versus in a straight line.  I don't think the few pounds of force required to get the kayak moving is enough to properly set a circle hook if a big halibut or ling cod has the bait firmly gripped in its mouth.

Maybe if we're talking those XXX Thick 16/0 used for butts.  I've often mused over a thinner wire version, something like the Eagle Claw L2004, except I think those thing top out at 9/0.  The Eagle Claw L2004 is popular in the marlin/sailfish bait game, so they are plenty strong.  Maybe a 9/0 in that hook would work as it has a fairly large gap compared to the 16/0 butt hooks.  I'll have to see if I have some buried in the garage.

-Allen

Joe Fisherman exerts different resistance depending on whether they are on shore, power boat, or kayak.  Kayak provides the least resistance.  I am starting to feel better about the circle hooks but You need to give time for the bait to be fully engulfed and also I think some "setting" of the hook is required.  Not the yank, but a good hard long pull whether it be paddling away from the fish or letting it pull you perpendicular versus in a straight line.  I don't think the few pounds of force required to get the kayak moving is enough to properly set a circle hook if a big halibut or ling cod has the bait firmly gripped in its mouth.

Maybe if we're talking those XXX Thick 16/0 used for butts.  I've often mused over a thinner wire version, something like the Eagle Claw L2004, except I think those thing top out at 9/0.  The Eagle Claw L2004 is popular in the marlin/sailfish bait game, so they are plenty strong.  Maybe a 9/0 in that hook would work as it has a fairly large gap compared to the 16/0 butt hooks.  I'll have to see if I have some buried in the garage.

-Allen

I just checked and noticed that they sell those L2004's up to 13/0.

-Allen

Circle hooks are very useful but there are times when I will not use them. I've caught big sturgeon, catfish, barracuda, halibut, tarpon, stingrays, and big sharks from circle hooks and they work. Just don't set the hook - I always scold my friend and he misses so many fish still.. I tell him wait until that pole is dancing for at least 30 seconds...

Oh and by the way, I have come to prefer Owner offset circle hooks but I still use other brands if I have to... Owner brand tips seem sharper than some competitors right out of the box...

Of course offsets result in more throat hookups.  Not saying that is bad, depends on if you are fishing for catch or for release.

Here in CA, when fishing bait while not on a troll (mooching) we are restricted to inline circle hooks.  I'm starting to think they are better in this situation when using long noodle rods (which are the best for mooching to begin with IMO).  You're not getting a good hookset with these rods by jerking anyway.  They just slowly load up.

-Allen