Hook-Up Percentage with Circle Hooks

What would you guys consider to be an acceptable hook-up percentage using circle hooks? I was using 3/0 Gamatsu octopus circle hooks the other eveing and my hook up percentage was less than 50%. I missed a lot of good, hard bites. The clicker would run a little and the rod tip would be bouncing good then I’d engage the reel and wait until I felt continuous pull on the rod, then I’d sweep the rod back only to come up empty. I could usually feel the weight of the fish for a moment or two before the hook would pop out. I decided I just need to wait a little longer so I tried that but I then hooked a little flathead way too deep. If it makes any difference, I was mostly using crawlers. Anything I should be doing different?

Thanks,

Boone

from what I’ve read you don’t set the hook in any way
just tighten up and hang on
thats all I do for gills and crappies with small size 6-4
circles 80-90% hook ups in the corner of the mouth every time

Yep what Rodman says. You should just reel up the slack and slowly let the rod set the hook by holding at a 10 o’clock angle when reeling. Do not set the hook as in a normal hookset or you will strike out.

Turn your clicker off.. Just leave the reel engaged in a good rod holder. The fish will hook themselves.

The hookup percentage with any hook depends greatly on the agressiveness of the fish. If the fish are feeding agressively, your not going to hardly miss any bites. If the fish are picking away at the bait, your going to miss some fish no matter what hook you are using.

You were using crawlers… Theres lots of little fish in the river that will pick away at them. Unless your using a #4 walleye hook, I would expect to be missing some bites from little guys attacking your crawler.

Although worms and little fish that can’t get the hook into their mouth go hand in hand…I’m confused by the fact that you could feel the weight of the fish.

If they are holding on to a piece of the worm, generally you won’t feel much.

When in the boat(good rodholders) and I’m using circles I tight line ’em, like Dave said. I will use the clicker if I’m shore fishing and ya can’t get a rodholder in the ground, to avoid my rod getting pulled in. It hasn’t happened to me but I did see it happen a few years ago.

Fishing for channels all I use is circles. Flatheads I now mainly use Octopus hooks.

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Although worms and little fish that can’t get the hook into their mouth go hand in hand…I’m confused by the fact that you could feel the weight of the fish.

If they are holding on to a piece of the worm, generally you won’t feel much.

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Brian
I think the fish has his bait well enough down its gullet that the rod loads but by setting the hook he pulls it out of the fishes mouth before the hook has a chance to turn in the corner if the fishes mouth and find flesh
If you put a circle hook on a line in your closed fist(loosley) and pull fast the hook pops out but you still feel weight with no hookup
I think thats what is happening to him
if he quits setting the hook the hookups will go up greatly
and allmost all will be hooked in the corner of the mouth
IMO

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If you put a circle hook on a line in your closed fist(loosley) and pull fast the hook pops out but you still feel weight with no hookup

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There’s a medical bill waiting to happen. I hope the FW catches him first before he tries this.

Or how about those other pictures Brian? You nose the ones I am talking about.

But those weren’t circles.

Never swat at a skeeter with a 10/0 hook in your hand.

I believe the difference in pain is negligible.

Nah…I took it like a man.

My daughter though I was starting a new trend.

You’ve heard of flossing right???

Ps…I’m really sorry Boone!!

rod-man

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I think the fish has his bait well enough down its gullet that the rod loads but by setting the hook he pulls it out of the fishes mouth before the hook has a chance to turn in the corner if the fishes mouth and find flesh

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I think you’re right about what was happening to me. It wasn’t like the fish was ever hooked and then came loose but I could definitely feel resistance for a brief moment when I slowly sweep the rod back.

I’ll try just letting the fish hook themselve next time. I was fishing alone and managed to get a double when the rod that was in the holder got bite. I should have learned then just to leave the rod sit.

Boone

How heavy of a weight are you using? One thing I have noticed is sometimes I reel up thinking it is tight. But the weight is still anchored and if you are a little too enthusiastic, that little extra slack and the weight popping off the bottom is enough to pop the hook out without it setting when you sweep. It’s hard to stay calm, for me anyway, but you let the fish hook itself mostly. Personally, when I first get them on, I like to keep the rod tip high, no pumping and reeling. That way you let it work itself in. You never know when the tip might just be stuck on a jaw bone and a little slack will be all it needs for the fish to come off.

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How heavy of a weight are you using?

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I was using 3 oz. No-Roll sinkers with about 18″ of line from the sinker to the hook. Maybe I should have been using 2 oz or lighter. The boat was staying pretty stationary after I dropped the bow anchor.

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I thought Brian was just showing us his pictures from this past summers Fringe Fest. I’ve never been there but I can imagine body piercing is pretty common.

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Nah…I took it like a man.

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Hmmm… ask Larry about taking it in the mouth.

Where your fishing 3 oz is about the lightest you can go…try a lighter one if you like. It’s a slip sinker…and the only time this will get you in trouble is if there’s slack in the line and the fish goes up stream.

Even then, using a circle hook should fix that problem.

Keep in mind the young of the year channels are out…5 to 7 inches long….they can be as pesky as sheepies.

Seriously Boone…go back out there and do everything the same…except for setting the hook…I’m guessing you’ll be seeing different results.

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Nah…I took it like a man.

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Hmmm… ask Larry about taking it in the mouth.

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I would be glad to tell if I could remember the exact context, It sure was pretty funny that night.
Seems that the Majority of the group has a bit of a memory Gap from that incident. (Those that were paying respects to the Capt. that is.)

Sailor Jerry remembers the context. He was what you took in the mouth.

I would say too much leader too. I use 6 inches to 10. When using circle hooks, I just leave the rod in the holder and crank 10 times. You’ll either have them or you won’t.