Baitholder circle hooks? Hey all, I’m interested in making the shift to circle hooks after reading how high mortality rates are for catch-and-release fish. The issue I’m encountering...

FS Digest

Hey all, I’m interested in making the shift to circle hooks after reading how high mortality rates are for catch-and-release fish. The issue I’m encountering is my bait easily falls off the circle hooks I’ve tried. Are there any baitholder circle hooks out there? It seems like a relatively simple concept but I’m having a hard time finding any.

(Also if you have recommendations for general circle hooks I should buy please let me know! I want some good quality hooks in sizes #8 - 2/0)

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by Vetiversailles151

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

https://www.eagleclaw.com/l2197bp-circle-sliced-baitholder-hook
Good name brand.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

OK what bait are you using? You should have no more problem with Circle Hooks than with J hooks.
I have noticed that a #2/0 circle hook has about the same opening size as a #2 J Hook. So far I have NOT seen any barb less Circle hooks. I normally buy 2/0 to 5/0 Circle hooks. Would love to find 4 to 1/O hooks, but Walmart doesn't carry them.

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

audigger53 wrote:

OK what bait are you using? You should have no more problem with Circle Hooks than with J hooks.
I have noticed that a #2/0 circle hook has about the same opening size as a #2 J Hook. So far I have NOT seen any barb less Circle hooks. I normally buy 2/0 to 5/0 Circle hooks. Would love to find 4 to 1/O hooks, but Walmart doesn't carry them.

https://www.google.com/search?q=barb+less+Circle+hooks.&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS982US982&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

audigger53 wrote:

OK what bait are you using? You should have no more problem with Circle Hooks than with J hooks.
I have noticed that a #2/0 circle hook has about the same opening size as a #2 J Hook. So far I have NOT seen any barb less Circle hooks. I normally buy 2/0 to 5/0 Circle hooks. Would love to find 4 to 1/O hooks, but Walmart doesn't carry them.

audigger - have you checked the Basspro out by you in Laurel?

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Not for a long time. When I do I go to Hanover Mall Bass Pro.

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

audigger53 wrote:

Not for a long time. When I do I go to Hanover Mall Bass Pro.

My apologies, that's the location I meant, at Arundel Mills. I always think Laurel as a reference point. I'm pretty sure they have the circle hook sizes you're looking for.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

I'll have to go look. The ones I have are 2/0 for the smallest in the box up to 5/0. I noramaly use the 2/0 and 3/0 hooks in the Bay from Shore. For Perch and Spot, I use J hooks, 6-4 size. Smaller Mouths. LOL

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

audigger53 wrote:

OK what bait are you using? You should have no more problem with Circle Hooks than with J hooks.
I have noticed that a #2/0 circle hook has about the same opening size as a #2 J Hook. So far I have NOT seen any barb less Circle hooks. I normally buy 2/0 to 5/0 Circle hooks. Would love to find 4 to 1/O hooks, but Walmart doesn't carry them.

Gamakatsu has circle hooks from side 8 up to 8/0. If you can't find them in a retailer check online for mail order.

PEPENANDO Loc: Tampico, Mexico

owner are good hooks

sytheteacher Loc: Brooklyn N.Y.

audigger53 wrote:

OK what bait are you using? You should have no more problem with Circle Hooks than with J hooks.
I have noticed that a #2/0 circle hook has about the same opening size as a #2 J Hook. So far I have NOT seen any barb less Circle hooks. I normally buy 2/0 to 5/0 Circle hooks. Would love to find 4 to 1/O hooks, but Walmart doesn't carry them.

Many times I adjust the gap of the hook opening it a bit..

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

A cut off piece of rubber band helps hold on soft bait. I find it easier to to cut the rubber band after it is on the hook. I use red rubber bands, but I doubt it makes a difference, They are easier to find with my aging eye sight.

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

sytheteacher wrote:

Many times I adjust the gap of the hook opening it a bit..

sy - what's the advantage of doing that?

sytheteacher Loc: Brooklyn N.Y.

DCGravity wrote:

sy - what's the advantage of doing that?

Sometimes I feel the the gap of the hook is too small and I'm having a little difficulty getting a bunker chunk on the hook so I will open the gap to accommodate the bait size..

Jakestake83 Loc: Mooresville NC

There are different configurations of circle hooks. Some have a gape that is far less than a true circle so that the hook tip doesn't always work correctly. Gamagatsu makes the best circle in my opinion although they are more costly than most other brands. I use circles exclusively with live bait and never had a problem with the bait coming off.