Circle hook

Difference between a traditional J-hook (left) and a circle hook (right)

Traditional Maori bone matau, or fishhook. The shape avoids stress concentrations which could break the bone.^[1] The hole on the underside is for attaching bait.^[2]

A circle hook is a type of fish hook which is sharply curved back in a circular shape. It has become widely used among anglers in recent years because the hook generally catches more fish and is rarely swallowed.^[3] Since the circle hook catches the fish on the lips at the corner of its mouth, it usually decreases the mortality rates of released fish as compared to J-hook (like O'Shaughnessy or Octopus hooks) which are often swallowed by the fish, causing damage to the gills or vital organs.^[4]

External video

Basic Fishing Gear : Circle Fishing Hooks YouTube

Best way to rig a lure with a circle hook YouTube

The circle hook's shape allows it to only hook onto an exposed surface, which in the case of a fish means the corner of its mouth. The fish takes the baited hook and swallows it, and as the hook is reeled in, it is safely pulled out of the fish until it reaches the mouth. At this point it will catch the corner of the mouth, resulting in fewer gut-hooked fish.

It is important to not strike (or set the hook) when the fish bites, but rather just reel in. The act of striking while using a circle hook often results in the hook being pulled out of the fish altogether.

Studies have shown that circle hooks do less damage to billfish than the traditional J-hooks, yet they are at just as effective for catching billfish. This is good for conservation, since it improves survival rates after release.^[5][6]

Notes

References

• Promjinda S, Somboon Siriraksophon S, Narupon Darumas N and Phithak Chaidee P (2008) Efficiency of the Circle Hook in Comparison with J-Hook in Longline Fishery The Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management in the Bay of Bengal, pp. 167–180.

External links

• Hooking fish on circles Stuff. Updated 24 November 2011., Retrieved 28 January 2012.

Fishing tackle Fish hook Circle hook Gaff Hookset Sniggle Fishing line Braided Knots Monofilament Multifilament Power pro Swivel Fishing sinker Arlesey Bomb Bombarda Downrigger Sandsinker Fishing rod Bamboo fly rod Fishing reel Fishing rod tapers Fly rod building Fishing bait Bait fish Boilies Chum Clonk Groundbait Vermicompost Worm charming Plastic bait Deadsticking Plastic worm Fishing lures Artificial fly Heddon Little Cleo Mormyshka Original Floater Plug Sabiki Spinnerbait Spoon lure Spoonplug Surface lure Swimbait Topwater lure Zara Spook Bite indicators Fishing float Pellet waggler Shortfloating Quiver tip Fishing rig Carolina rig Chod rig Hair rig Texas rig Apparel Creel Diving mask Hip boot Personal flotation device Snorkel Waders Wetsuit Other Fish stringer Tackle box

Fishing techniques Gathering Abalone Ama divers Clam digging Flounder tramping Gathering seafood by hand Noodling Pearl hunting Scallop aquaculture Trout binning Trout tickling Spears Bowfishing Gigging Harpoon Hawaiian sling Polespear Spearfishing Speargun Trident Fishing lines Dropline Drum lines Handline fishing Jiggerpole Jigging Jug fishing Longline fishing Spin fishing Trolling Trotline Fishing nets Cast net Chinese fishing net Drift net Ghost nets Gill net Glass floats Hand net Ice jigger Lampara net Lampuki net Lave net Seine net Surrounding net Tangle net Trawl net Turtle excluder device Fish traps Almadraba Corf Crab trap Double-Heart of Stacked Stones Eel buck Fish wheel Fishing basket Fishing weir Lobster trap Putcher fishing Trabucco Other Basnig Blast fishing Cormorant fishing Cyanide fishing Dredging Electrofishing Electric pulse fishing Fish aggregating device Fish toxins Fishfinder Fishing light attractor Flossing Ice fishing Kite fishing Muroami Otter fishing Payaos Shrimp baiting Snagging

Fisheries and fishing topic areas
Fisheries	Aquaculture Diversity of fish Fish diseases and parasites Fish farming Fisheries management Fisheries science Individual fishing quota Sustainable fishery Wild fisheries
Fishing	Artisanal fishing Fisherman Fishing vessel History of fishing
Industry	List of harvested aquatic animals by weight By country Commercial fishing Marketing Markets Processing Products Seafood
Recreation	Angling Big-game fishing Catch and release Fishing tournaments Fly fishing
Techniques	Fish trap Fishfinder Fishing net Gathering seafood by hand Handline fishing Spearfishing Trawling
Tackle	Artificial flies Bait Bite indicators Hook Line Lures Rod Sinker
Locations	Fish ponds Fishing banks Fishing villages Marine habitats
Glossary Index Outline Fishing portal Category