Hello across the water !

[sallysludgebucket]

I have been experimenting with circle hooks, I know across the water their you have used them for years. Is it the norm now, do you have rules etc. I am realy interested in promoting in the UK. Over here the price averages about $7 usd or $9 cd for 10 hooks ! I know you have them really cheap, does anyone know where I could buy decent bulk circles from. I do not care about the brand as long as they are a good hook. A lot of fish over here only require fine wire which I am having difficulty getting in smaller sizes. Larger 5/0 s and up are difficult and expensive over here, used for cod, conger, tope, huss etc

Any advice, experience, or just a plain old hello would be appreciated ! LMAO:)

[alan t]

Any advice, experience, or just a plain old hello would be appreciated ! LMAO
A big hello Sally.

[Red Diesel]

hi sally try meridien hobby company have used them several times for bulk purchases of circle hooks

[sallysludgebucket]

hi sally try meridien hobby company have used them several times for bulk purchases of circle hooks

Me too, very good hooks and were cheap. Unfortunatly my postings on WSF have pushed the dam prices up ! LMAO I should get commission;
Endorsed by, WSF's Sallysludgebucket !

[PanamaJack]

Hi Sally
Circle hooks are very effective, providing you get out of the habit of striking, and, other than in freshwater, I use them exclusively for all my live and deadbait fishing. You will find though that there's little in the way of consistency in sizing between circles and conventional 'J's, and even from some circle manufacturers to others.

For preference I use Owners, but Gamakatsus and VMCs are also excellent makes. And you may want to look on the BassPro web site - url's - http://www.basspro.com - to see illustrations of a reasonably comprehensive range. There're in Terminal Tackle/Hooks.

As to your point about bulk supplies I've only ever bought them that 'side of the Pond' from retail outlets like Captain Harry's in Miami. But you'll see, looking at their site - http://www.captharry.com - and BassPro's that they tend to retail much smaller quantities mail order. A greater margin that way! Even so you can get boxes of 25 smaller hooks for less than 10$US.

Could I suggest, and there a load identified on our Club's web site - http://www.scbi.org.uk under Links to other Forums - that you contact one of the US sites. Possibly one of the best for knowledgeable and helpful anglers, albeit it is very much focused towards 'long rodders' is http://www.reel-time.com. I'm sure they be able to help. Try either the North Eastern or Florida regional forums.

Just one last point remember that as well as postage to factor in provision for UK Import Charges and VAT. If, and it's a big if with lower value items, Customs and Excise do determine to charge Duty and VAT (and it's on the postage as well) that can add another quarter to the bill.
Kindest regards
Dave
PS Final, final point. Mustad sell within the commercial marketplace. You may be able to source certain hooks in bulk through them.

[PanamaJack]

Sorry Sally, missed out on one of your key points!


Is it the norm now, do you have rules etc. I am really interested in promoting in the UK..

In, particularly the 'States and parts of Central America, many Sailfish tournaments, where they will use a mix of dead or live baits, are now on a release only basis. (That's unless someone catches a World Record sized fish!) Organisers there will insist on the use of circle hooks.

Many lodges or individual boats I've fished will also use circles exclusively for bait fishing, but again it's geared up to this concept of releasing fish. They're also changing over to fishing only heavier tackle so that the fish can be released quickly, without undue stress.

I've recently received a research paper on circle hooks from the IGFA - International Game Fish Association - that we're going to publish in our Year Book. Let me read it and, if it seems relevant, I'll forward it on.
Dave

[PanamaJack]

Sally
The research paper focuses on Sailfish captures in Florida and was based on a sample of 2086 fish using a mix of 'J's and different circle hooks, coupled with differing drop backs after the fish seized the bait, up to 15 seconds.

Although specific to Sails there are a range of points (sic) made that are of relevance to other forms of fishing. I'll forward it through to you.
Dave

For anyone else reading this thread the principal lesson was very much the risk of badly hooked fish is significantly increased with 'J's and circles with offset points.

[sallysludgebucket]

Thank you Red, panama and yes hello AlanT ! LOL

I think all hook sizes are dodgy, not even a single size difference, a 1/0 is similar to some 5/0 s ! It is a case of trial and error, I have ordered a boat load from USA and will test and photo to share my findings with regards to usage within the UK. Very interesting about the one hook pattern from Owner ! I did wonder about the pattern myself, more like a glorified UK carp hook to me ! LMAO I didn't buy any of them choosing the more pronounced pattern below which I find excellent up to say a size 2/0 but needs a heavier wire for anything above. The Mustads are far to strong for the size of hook, I can't wait to test them in a larger hook for larger species though !

Here are some that I have bought and tested, circles are ace as long as you can handle not striking !

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/sallusludgebucket/888b93ba.jpg