[FMJ]

I'm thinking bout getting some largeish circle hooks to use with fish/squid baits for thornbacks. Had my first one at the weekend and was only just able to retrieve the hooks (3/0-1/0 pennel). Had some deep hooked dogs along the way too, due to the way these species seem to chew a bait on the spot with very little initial indication. I understand they are popular with catch and release bass anglers, and also for smuts. Does anyone have any experience with them for rays. Thanks.

 

[hammyx1]

I use circle hooks all the time when out on a boat from Bradwell and caught a number of thornbacks with them :thumbs:
They don't always lip hook but the majority of the time they successfully do so.

 

[Gulp]

I use circle hooks all the time when out on a boat from Bradwell and caught a number of thornbacks with them :thumbs:
They don't always lip hook but the majority of the time they successfully do so.

What size would you recommend, please?

 

[gorby]

I've been using them for over a year for all my fishing, had quite a few rays on a 3/0 Sakuma pennel set up and all lip hooked, wouldn't use anything else now :thumbs:

 

[tatch]

Have a look at this it may help http://www.worldseafishing.com/foru...view-mustad-demon-fine-wire-circle-hooks.html Also type concrete circle hooks into the search if i remember rightly he had a lot of useful things to say about circles

 

[lipslicker]

I have them in my arsenal, but admit that I have never used them.
The reasons -
- I am unconvinced that they would work that well with big baits (cart, worm, mussel, squid cocktails) the size of cigarette pack. My baits use all a long hook and some of snood, and I think this might inhibit the circle hooking method?
- the weight of them (compared with wire hooks) puts me off using them for bass, with worms, being bass suck the bait in. Might seem unnatural?

I know they were invented for long line applications, and I can totally see how they work there, or on boat, or in a fly, but just not yet convinced about ledger applications.
Being I have not used, this might be a brain block. Probably is!

 

[FMJ]

Thanks for the replies chaps. It would appear that the search button is my friend! Lol. One thing I noticed from past threads on the subject, is that, or at least my understanding, circles work best with the bait hooked fairly lightly, and effectively hanging from the bend. Has anyone used them either,1) with a bait whipped on with elastic, but with more bait on the back of the shank and not extending past the eye, ie so not to close the gape? Or 2) with the bait effectively "hair rigged"?

 

[timmey]

cox and rawl circle hooks are spot on , for dogs we use size4, whitting size 1, codling size 2/0 to 4/0, rays the same, yes one or two fish do swallow the hooks but the majority are lip hooked , loads of different makes out there worth using them if catch and release matchesor just for pleasure ..

 

[gorby]

I fish for rays etc with extra large sandeels, squid/bluey wraps so a fiar sized bait, sometimes double the sandeels up no problems with 3/0 circles...just whip them onto the bait...easy to bait up and easy to remove!!! Also use the same technique for black lug sausage cocktails

 

[Gulp]

I fish for rays etc with extra large sandeels, squid/bluey wraps so a fiar sized bait, sometimes double the sandeels up no problems with 3/0 circles...just whip them onto the bait...easy to bait up and easy to remove!!! Also use the same technique for black lug sausage cocktails

Am I understanding you right; the hook is entirely on the surface of the bait?

Thanks.

 

[gorby]

Yep.......bottom hook on pennel bound onto surface of the bait, a few turns of bait elastic behind the hook knot to stop the hook slipping up the bait so full point and bend exposed...top hook just nicked into the bait.....catches all types of fish, rays all lip hooked.....just remember not to strike, just lift and tighten down....works for me anyway :thumbs:

 

[Gulp]

Yep.......bottom hook on pennel bound onto surface of the bait, a few turns of bait elastic behind the hook knot to stop the hook slipping up the bait so full point and bend exposed...top hook just nicked into the bait.....catches all types of fish, rays all lip hooked.....just remember not to strike, just lift and tighten down....works for me anyway :thumbs:

Cheers mate. New to circle hooks. And rays, for that matter!

 

[gorby]

I use them in smaller sizes for flounder and sole, larger ones also for bass etc.......worms baits are fiddly to start with but I use a baiting needle and after a bit of practice its easy

 

[Wobbler72]

I use 8/0 VMC Tournament Circles for Tope from the shore, using half a Mackerel as bait. Biggest so far is a 45lber, hooked perfectly in the scissors. The trick with circles is not to let the bait into the gape between the hook shank and point.