Circle Hooks

[AndyJ]

Hi Folks, any thoughts on these Circle Hooks please?
Was advised last year to use them, 5/0 circle hooks for Bass fishing in Cardigan Bay, using whole fresh crab.
Needles to say, blanked that session at Ynyslas.
I am considering giving them a go this Winter, in various sizes I've got, mostly Sakuma.
Using them last year seemed to not "Sit" right with the bait.
Any advice very welcome, thanks Folks

[gilly111]

Your catch rate won't go up or down I use the smaller version to bass fish
They are ok but you will go back to the normal hooks but worth a try

[davie495]

Fine for sharking in the summer (Tope etc) but wouldn't bother in the winter as your main hook. not too bad to use as the top hook on a pennel to keep your worm nice and straight

[Ken the PACMAN]

Circle hooks work best with "cut baits" as the Yanks call them which is basically a lump of fish or squid hung on the bend of the hook.
Once you start threading baits like lug on to the hook you decrease the chances of the hook point catching the lip of the fish which is how the circle hook works so most of the point and area below needs to be out of the bait in other words.
The other standard mistake is striking with circle hooks because all this will do is pull the baited hook from the mouth.The circle hook is a "gorge" type of hook designed to be swallowed by the fish then as the fish swims off the hook catches hold in the lip.

They were originally designed for long Lining so the fish landed could be easily unhooked without losing hooks that ad been swallowed or bitten off but became popular with conservationists because its nearly impossible to deep hook a fish no matter how the bait is taken.

[AndyJ]

Thanks Folks, always good advice on here.
Plenty to think about, and maybe knock a couple of rigs up and try them.
Was originally going to try them for Rays, just an idea...
Thanks again folks,
Andy