BajaNomad - Support grows for circle hooks

Support grows for circle hooks

BajaNews - 9-9-2006 at 07:54 AM

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060...

September 8, 2006

Positive testimony keeps rolling in on the use of circle hooks for catching and releasing billfish.

The latest is from a review of studies by Dr. Russell Nelson of The Billfish Foundation.

"Not only will circle hooks aid in the restoration of billfish populations," Nelson said in a media release from the foundation, "but they will also increase success in catch rate for anglers."

Nelson added that it's important anglers take the time to learn the methods for using circle hooks in order to guarantee more hookups.

It has been found that circle hooks, which basically have a circular design, produce hook-up rates equal to or greater than the traditional "J" hooks which have been used for years.

What's more important is that circle hooks dramatically reduce death and injury to fish.

The circular design of the hook allows the hook to slide to the corner of a fish's mouth where the pressure of the fish taking the bait, plus the tension on the line, results in the hook set.

The foundation used the results of a recent study with white marlin in the western Atlantic where satellite pop-off tags were used to monitor post-release behavior and movement. The study showed that the survival of released fish in total was 76 percent, but of those caught with circle hooks the survival was 100 percent.

Capt. Ron Hamlin, a noted captain and angler who has caught thousands of billfish in Guatemala, has used circle hooks exclusively for years.

"Circle hooks hook more fish and harm less fish, period," Hamlin said emphatically. "There is absolutely no reason to use traditional "J" hooks with baits."

Capt. Gary Graham specializes in all-release fishing out of Baja, California and he has been using the hooks for 10 years, even on flies used for fly fishing.

"Flies on circle hooks may look a little odd," Graham said, "but they can be very effective on everything from freshwater trout to marlins and tunas."

Graham noted one important point when circle hooks are used for flies.

"Make sure there is no offset as this will cause an unnatural wobble on retrieve," he said.

What's more, Graham said, don't set the hook with a strip strike. "Just let the line come firm to the fish and the hooks will set themselves."

Billfish Foundation officials say they will continue to work with the National Marine Fisheries Service to study and advance the science of circle hooks and also to provide information and research data that will allow anglers to make smart conservation decisions.

[Edited on 9-9-2006 by BajaNews]

Taco de Baja - 9-9-2006 at 08:21 AM

Works on all fish, not just bill fish.

Here is a picture of one:

And very similar to the ones used by the Native Americas and other "stone age" cultures for 1,000 of years.

[Edited on 9-9-2006 by Taco de Baja]

Bajalero - 9-9-2006 at 08:53 AM

If they really want to do something positive , they should get manufacturers to quit making stainless steel hooks.

With our technology you would think someone could come up with a hook that would dissolve in a week.

I've caught a lot of previously hooked/caught fish that still have someone elses tackle attached.

lero

BajaBruno - 9-9-2006 at 11:07 AM

I certainly agree with the circle hook comments. I've been using them for a few years on my boat for everything from sailfish to grouper and they work great once you get used to the different style of hooking up.

I don't have much faith in the fishing guides using them, though, unless the government mandates it, as has Guatemala. Mexican fishing guides are just loath to release fish. They have every excuse in the book for not releasing your catch, with the implied threat that if you start releasing, they will quit putting you on the fish. I love the guys, but it seems to be burned into their DNA to kill everything that gets on the hook.

Cypress - 9-9-2006 at 11:45 AM

They're great! Who wants to gut-hook a fish, it won't be able to fight much, not with a barb in his gut. Give the fish a break! The hooks that dissolve are good also.

pargo - 9-19-2006 at 12:02 PM

I haven't used stainless steel hooks for years. Circle hooks most of the time. There are many hooks on the market today that dissolve in the water. not the least of which is your every day bargain Mustad variety. In a week? not quite but they do dissolve. As far as fishing guides hard wired for fish annihilation? never had a problem with the guides I've hired. I believe catch and release techniques are catching on nicely.

55steve - 10-2-2006 at 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBruno
I don't have much faith in the fishing guides using them, though, unless the government mandates it, as has Guatemala. Mexican fishing guides are just loath to release fish. They have every excuse in the book for not releasing your catch, with the implied threat that if you start releasing, they will quit putting you on the fish. I love the guys, but it seems to be burned into their DNA to kill everything that gets on the hook.

Hmmm.. I've noticed a real trend in catch & release starting at LEAST 10 years ago by the Mexican guides. I'm actually pretty proud of them!
On the other hand, the guides in Hawaii kill EVERYTHING that comes on the boat and even though you chartered the boat, in most cases you don't even get to keep any! This may explain the severe drop in gamefish around the tourist-fished areas in Hawaii.

[Edited on 10-3-2006 by 55steve]

That's nice

Dave - 10-3-2006 at 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNews
What's more important is that circle hooks dramatically reduce death and injury to fish.

If fishermen were truly concerned about death and injury, they wouldn't sport fish.

Eat what you catch.

Hook - 10-3-2006 at 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNews
What's more important is that circle hooks dramatically reduce death and injury to fish.

If fishermen were truly concerned about death and injury, they wouldn't sport fish.

Eat what you catch.

Well, there's the little issue of size limits. What good is releasing fish before they have a chance to spawn if they are just going to die due to gut hooking?

Circle hooks are a good compromise.

pargo - 10-4-2006 at 01:23 PM

wow Dave! No disrespect bro but that's a pretty shallow view and attitude towards fishing. You're jus' kiddin right?

roundtuit - 10-4-2006 at 05:44 PM

Who wants to eat what is grown in a round a net by Ensenada. I would like to catch my dinner with a circle hook. Wonder if you can catch beef, pork, chicken, rabbit, deer or lamb with a circle hook and release.
:spingrin:

Dave - 10-4-2006 at 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pargo
wow Dave! No disrespect bro but that's a pretty shallow view and attitude towards fishing. You're jus' kiddin right?

I got no problem with fishing. I have a BIG problem with sport fishing.

pargo - 10-5-2006 at 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by pargo
wow Dave! No disrespect bro but that's a pretty shallow view and attitude towards fishing. You're jus' kiddin right?

I got no problem with fishing. I have a BIG problem with sport fishing.

Can you elaborate on that a bit? I consider myself a sportfisherman. Have been fishing almost as far as I can remember. Along the way I've learned to be conscientious and considerate of fragile resources. I no longer feel that I have to kill everything I catch. There are few things more gratifying for me than to catch a fish on an artificial lure and then release that fish back into the drink. That is full circle sportfishing. If I,m on a boat and the hot bite is on, I'll keep one for the parilla. I love a tasty fish on me'plate just like the next guy. All the rest go back though. (using circle hooks).
Conerservation is my BIG issue with fishing....I don't know, I guess you can call me a fish hugger

Yeah, I'm sure the fish love you back

Dave - 10-5-2006 at 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pargo
There are few things more gratifying for me than to catch a fish on an artificial lure and then release that fish back into the drink.

<Gratifying for YOU, maybe. And the fish put up a fight just to enhance your gratification?>

I guess you can call me a fish hugger

And if fish could talk, what would they call you?

pargo - 10-5-2006 at 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

And if fish could talk, what would they call you?

Yes Dave there usually is some resistance from a fish and the fish prrrobably doesn't realize it but he enhances the heck out my gratification. It's called tight lines, it's called a fight, it's called fishing and in my "narrow" point of view, I'd say the fish says "thank you mister fisherman fer lettin' me go" (in your sarcastic view he'd call an A-hole que no?)... then we hug and go our seperate ways!

Cypress - 10-5-2006 at 12:03 PM

When we untangle this backlash, hope the fish are still biting. Circle hooks are great. pargo and Dave would probably have a a good time fishing together.

pargo - 10-5-2006 at 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
When we untangle this backlash, hope the fish are still biting. Circle hooks are great. pargo and Dave would probably have a a good time fishing together.

Hello Cypress how yoo bean?
A thoughtful gesture, highly unlikely though.
Backlashes can be avoided and I'll do just that...thanks!

aha baja - 10-7-2006 at 11:38 AM

When hawaiian guides act like that it's problably the "ICE" thinking for them:moon: