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Tip of the Month Circle Hooks: Great for Catch and Release By Karen Waters Circle hooks seem to be a fairly new phenomenon for recreational fisherpersons but have really been around since the turn of the century. What started out as a deadly long line device could be the most important innovation for safe catch and release in the modern era. Commercial fishermen use circle hooks because they are self-hooking. They allow large fish to be captured along long lines of hooks with minimal help from the fisherman. These long lines are used for catching sharks and tuna among other species. Recreational anglers have finally discovered circular hooks. Because of their unique shape these hooks slide along and hook into the side of the mouth reducing the chances of the fish swallowing the hook and damaging tissue. This is better for the fish and better for the angler because the fish is much less stressed and the angler spends less money buying hooks. Many anglers including commercial fishermen also indicate circle hooks are more effective for catching fish. In a study conducted in Nova Scotia circle hooks caught almost twice as many fish as conventional hooks during an eight-day period. Circle hooks work differently than other hooks and take a little getting used to using. The rule of thumb is to not set the hook. Yes, don't set the hook; just start reeling when you feel the bite and the circle hook will set itself. If you yank on the line it will probably come out of the mouth, so just be patient and let the hook do its work. If you can't resist jerking on the pole, put your rod in a pole holder and wait for the fish to hook itself. Circle hooks are easy to release from the fish without even touching the fish. Just take a pair of needle nose pliers and twist the shank of the hook. Make sure you're holding the fish over water and it should have a happy release. Many companies offer circle hooks including Eagle Claw and Mustad but the favorite here is the Owner line of hooks. Whatever brand you prefer if you're participating in safe catch and release circle hooks are a must. Previous Columns Basics in Bait  By Karen Waters Safe Catch and Release   By Karen Waters Consumer Fish Guide  By Karen Waters redfishmaniac@northfloridafishing.com

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