| Circle hooks and J-hooks are the two most | | | | that when setting the hook, two different |
| commonly found types of saltwater bait hooks. | | | | methods should be utilized depending on the type |
| There is an ongoing debate by saltwater anglers | | | | of fishing hook being used. J-hooks should be set |
| as to whether circle hooks are better than | | | | with a solid swing of the rod, while circle hooks |
| J-hooks and I believe each have their own | | | | should be allowed to set themselves with a simple |
| advantages when fishing in different conditions | | | | engaging of the fishing reel. The pull and tug of |
| and scenarios. Saltwater hooks often come | | | | the fish will cause a circle hook to slide down into |
| pre-sharpened and are designed to corrode over | | | | the corner of the mouth and embed securely. |
| time, causing little harm to those fish that were | | | | Swinging the rod to set the hook with a circle |
| lucky enough to have won a battle with a | | | | hook will often lead to a pulled hook and |
| heart-broken fisherman. | | | | disappointed anglers.This is one of the hardest |
| J-hooks are the hooks many anglers refer to | | | | things to remember when fishing with circle hooks. |
| when they speak of a fishing bait hook. They are | | | | The adrenaline-rush from being picked up or bit |
| the ones that are shaped and resemble the letter | | | | causes most inexperienced anglers to immediately |
| J, thus the name J-hook. The fishing line is thread | | | | swing the rod in an attempt to hook the fish. |
| through the eye of the hook and then tied with | | | | Instead, anglers should calmly engage the reel, the |
| the appropriate knot. J-hooks come in barbed and | | | | same with both spinning and conventional reels, |
| barb-less versions for those who like to practice | | | | and slowly begin winding down into the fish, until |
| catch and release. J-hooks should match in size to | | | | the fish begins to pull drag from the reel. Only |
| line class, fishing tackle and the type of bait being | | | | then should the angler lift the rod to begin the |
| used. | | | | fight. |
| Circle hooks have rapidly gained popularity over | | | | Traditionally found in silver and bronze, |
| the recent years. These hooks are characterized | | | | manufacturers have recently introduced lines of |
| by their similarities to the letter G. Circle hooks | | | | red circle and j-hooks. These are designed to |
| can be very effective when targeting fish species | | | | create a wounded bait perception, with the red |
| with sharp teeth, as they are designed to set in | | | | creating the illusion of a bleeding fish. I have found |
| the corner of the mouth, away from any line | | | | that these can be extremely effective in tough |
| chewing teeth. This type of hook can become | | | | fishing conditions. Also, both freshwater and |
| quite expensive, as many come laser sharpened | | | | saltwater anglers should try the ringed hooks on |
| to increase their effectiveness. The disadvantage | | | | their next adventure. This ingenious hook addition |
| of this type of bait hook is that it is extremely | | | | allows for better and livelier bait presentation, |
| difficult to pin your bait on a circle hook and | | | | promotes longevity and most importantly, keeps |
| should be used mostly for fishing with big baits. | | | | your bait in the bite zone for substantially longer |
| Whichever hook you prefer to use, remember | | | | periods of time, a key ingredient to getting bit. |