Circle Hooks Versus J Hooks - Marlin and Billfish Tips and Tactics for Conservation

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TIPS FOR CATCHING MORE MARLIN AND OTHER BILLFISH - CIRCLE HOOKS VS. J HOOKS
By Richard Chudy

Bring up the subject of circle hooks and the average angler will roll his eyes back and make some type of groaning noise sounding his disproval. “Can’t trust ‘em”, “I’ve tried but can’t hook the fish”, “I keep losing fish, it’s just to hard to get a good hook set”. Talk to a pro and you’ll get a completely different story.

Accomplished anglers around the world including Ron Hamlin, who recently released his 20,000th billfish, will tell you that hook-up ratios are higher and lost fish are very, very uncommon. In fact, the pros like Ron will tell you that the old-fashioned J-hooks lose more marlin and sailfish than circle hooks… unless you have no clue on how to effectively fish them. Just like always, people hate change and these “new” hooks require a big change in technique.

First off, circle hooks are anything but new. It’s hard to know when they first came about but early versions of the concept where used by Pacific Islanders fishing snag prone reefs. Tired of constantly busting off leaders, these fishermen modified their J-hooks bending them into a rounder, wider arc and twisting the hook point inward just ahead of the barb. The result – less snags, more fish. Since then, circle hooks have evolved into the ultimate conservation tool for responsible anglers – non-offset, thin wire carbon steel circle hooks.

Further proof that circle hooks dramatically reduce trauma, a recent comparison study was conducted in Iztapa, Guatemala in order to assess the impact of circle vs. J-hooks with both live and dead bait on sailfish. The results were dramatic revealing the benefits or circle hooks in billfish conservation. A total of 360 Pacific sailfish were caught with 235 on circle hooks and 125 on J-hooks.

Significantly more sailfish were deep hooked in the throat and stomach with "J" hooks (46%), as compared with circle hooks (2%). Only one sailfish (1%) was foul hooked using circle hooks, while 11 (9%) sailfish caught on "J" hooks were foul hooked. Sailfish caught on "J" hooks are 21 times more likely to suffer hook-related bleeding than those caught on circle hooks.

The numbers prove it. We know the why of circle hooks, now here are some tips for how:
• Standard hook sets are your enemy. Instead, allow the fish to take the bait and swim away. Slowly increase drag pressure until the line comes tight, then lift the rod tip slowly, at this point a short jerk can be used to pull the hook through the jaw, but most times it’s really not necessary.
• Learn different methods of rigging baits – try rigging dead baits by wiring them to the circle hook.
• Circle hooked live baits are a proven method. Run the circle hook through the baits back just behind the eyes or through the nostrils. Experiment with hook placement on various live bait to find the spot that allows for the most natural swim.
• Circle hooks are not just for baits! Many tackle manufacturers offer pre-rigged artificial baits such as Williamson Lures or you can rig your own artificials quickly and easily.

So there you have it. Circle hooks work for the angler and the fish. The results are stronger healthier fish for better fights and healthier releases with the added bonus of hooking and landing more billfish than ever before!