I know, I know its never going to end, but I thought this article by one of the most respected proven Shark Captains on the east coast, Mark Sampson. Anyone that's knows him will back me, just do a search for Big Sharks. This is out of the issue released today in the coastal fisherman.
Yes I have permisson from Mark to copy and paste his stuff. He is also the creator of the Blocker rig some of you have seen me post.
With the 31st Annual Ocean City Shark Tournament less than a month away, we’ve been getting a few questions from anglers about some of the new rules that will be in place this year, none the least of which is the requirement that all teams use single, non-offset, circle hooks on all their shark rigs.
The decision to implement this rule was based on the fact that time and testing has proven the circle hook design to be the best tool for both hooking sharks as well as helping to ensure the survival of any that are released. They’re good for the fishermen and they’re good for the fish, requiring their use was pretty much a no-brainer.
However, since many offshore fishermen these days don’t do all that much shark fishing when they’re not actually involved in a tournament, it’s understandable how some are still a bit behind the curve when it comes to updating their shark tackle and techniques. Modern sharking has come a long way from the early days of balloons, chain leaders, and huge J-hooks, but some folks are still spooked by the thought of straying too far from techniques they’ve had success with in the past. It was the same way when circle hooks were introduced into the tuna chunking fishery as it was when anglers were recently required to use them in billfish tournaments. In both cases a lot of anglers “squeaked” at first, but then quickly realized that the hooks not only worked, but actually were more effective than the J-hooks they had used in the past.
I started using circle hooks for sharks 6-7 years ago and, a few thousand sharks later, I wouldn’t switch back to J-hooks for anything. Most anglers are aware that, since circle hooks usually imbed in the corner of a fish’s jaw rather than in its throat or stomach, they are much less likely to cause life-threatening injuries to fish that are released. Since most recreationally caught sharks are released, this benefit alone makes them an ideal tool for shark fishing. But sharkers will find that the benefits of using circle hooks goes far beyond helping minimize post-release mortality.
The thick and fleshy fold of tough skin in the corner of a shark’s mouth makes an ideal location for a circle hook to set and hold with little threat that the hook might pull out while the fish is being fought on the line or wired at the boat. Even if the hook doesn’t latch over the jaw itself, it will grab the outside fold which provides a strong enough hold for the hook.
Just like in any other fishery, the use of circle hooks for sharks means that anglers no longer need to fish with their reels in free-spool or give the fish a drop-back when it picks up a bait. No-stretch braided line can be used, but it’s no longer needed to assist in the hook-setting because the hook will find its way to the corner of the mouth on its own once the line tightens up. Monofilament line works just fine with circle hooks.
Another advantage is that fishermen no longer need to spend a lot of time sharpening their hooks before each trip. Because the holding power of the circle hook is in the way it latches over the corner of the mouth, rather than imbedding deeply into it, a sharp cutting edge is not needed, so other than touching up the point of a hook with a file once in a while, we rarely find a need to sharpen circle hooks. We’ll take a new hook right from the box, smash down the barb, twist it to the leader, stick it in the bait, and we’re fishing – it’s that simple! By the way, we take the barb off because we’ve found that the only use for barb on a circle hook is to help keep the bait from working its way off the hook – which rarely happens. Barbs are not needed to help hold the hook in place during the battle, and they only make it more difficult to remove the hook when the shark has been brought to the boat.
Fishing with circle hooks is just so much simpler and more efficient than the “old-way” that I’m always surprised when I meet anglers who haven’t embraced the idea. No more worries about drop-backs, hook-setting, or sharpening; all we do is send out our baits, set the reels in strike, wait for the bite, then pick up the rod and start cranking – that’s it. Circle hooks are so good at staying in place that even if there’s a problem and the fish gets a whole lot of slack line, there is very little chance that it will throw the hook and get away. Why in the world would anyone use any thing else?
I wish I could direct anglers to the best size circle hook, but manufacturers still haven’t come up with any kind of uniform sizing. This means that unless anglers know exactly what size and brand they want, and the particular tackle shop carries what they are looking for, the best they can do is examine all the options in the store until they find a hook that “looks” like it’s what they need. I can say, however, that what we’ve been using for the bigger sharks has been the 16/0 Mustad #39960D. These non-offset hooks are strong enough to handle large sharks on heavy tackle and cost less than a dollar. I’ve heard of anglers spending four or more dollars each for circle hooks to use for sharks. You don’t have to be a poor charter boat captain like me to see that as a huge waste of money and perhaps another reason why some fishermen think they need to stay in the stone-age and use J-hooks for shark fishing.
I just switched to circle hooks, much to the verbal flogging of many "j-hook" disciples. But i have to agree with you. I feel when using big baits with J hooks, it can be difficult to predict when a bait gets hit A:) How big the shark is B:) How long it will take to swallow that bait down. These factors Race through your head when decided to lock it down and set the hook on J hooks. What can happen is you don't let the fish eat and pull the bait out when setting up. I'm guilty of this on 11+ Tiger i lost in Sanibel recently.
A theory was explained to me recently as to why some guys may be anti-circle hook. The #1 reason is "Dude, i lost so many fish on circle hooks". A VERy experienced fisherman and sharker friend of mine, who happens to be close to a couple of famous sharker names told me this. USE CABLE AND NOT #19 WHEN USING CIRCLE HOOKS. As with anything i am told about fishing, i always take with a grain of salt becuase its all opinions. But than i realized it made all the sense in the world. Imagine a shark swallow a bait with a Circle hook and #19 leader. That #19 only flxes in angles. In theory that Circle hook, when reeled tight, will not follow the natural contour of the shark, due to the limits in flexibility of #19. Do the same thing with #480 or #900 cable, and you will see the flexibility of the cable prevail when the shark pulls drag, as it will always snug itself to the shark. the circle hook will find its way to the jaw more. Yes, its just a theory, but its also common sense.
20/0 circle hooks are my new hook now. Good luck with the yourney
Very good stuff Npatrick0317.
I have used single strand, cables, mono, and even single 19 and 480 cable together as a bite leader. Your thinking of how the circle hooks work is spot on. I have found that with single strand it is very important to make the connection from hook to wire with a nice round loop, if you connect it with a tight tear drop loop it will not give the circle hook the freedom it needs to move around, turn and find the corner of the mouth, like they are designed to do.
Another point in your thinking is.... Remember that the way a circle hook works, it will always work better when the shark is swimming away, that's why a lot of sharks that pick up your bait and charge the beach will often be lost. If a shark is swimming away from you, the angle of the circle being pulled out of the fish will greatly increase the hook up rate no matter what kind of bite leader your using.
How you rig your bait is the biggest reason why people miss hookups with circles, IMO.
I have had about the same, or not a big enough difference in single strand or cable to prove that one is better then the other... But your concept seems very sound. Thanks, I will try and keep better notes on what each shark I catch was hooked on.
Although very insightful with good supportive evidence, I have to slightly disagree. I feel circles work better when positioned above a fish, IE from a boat in deeper water, which is supported by your evidence. That is what they were developed for and work perfectly. Fishing from a pier or beach and having your line deployed 400-500 yards makes you almost lateral to the bait and circles don't cut it for me.
Also, I see it as a piece of fishing. You have to hook the fish and fight it in, one of the hardest parts is hooking the fish so why take away that difficult element from this amazing sport? I like the sport of shark fishing as it is very difficult to land the largest of fish. In my opinion, if using circles you should just use an electric reel as well.
All this make sence. Ok I am new to sharking and by no means an expert to shark fishing but I have fished all my life. I only used J hooks for shark fishing because that is what I read to use. I have used circle hooks most of my life back home cat fishing. I learned that it is harder for them to spit the circle hook. I have used them on jug lines, trout lines and on my poles. I have caught more fish with circles then on J's. Even greman fisherman use circles for their waler( catfish that can get up to 6'). When I am there in Aug. I'll be trying to out circles. I need all the help I can get. Plus I like the idea of not hurting the sharks that I caught.
i have used circles a few times and only got one shark with them. it may have been hook placement in bait but who knows. the one shark i did land was foul hooked in the anal fin with a circle hook. im still trying to figure that one out but i will get some big circles and try them next fishing trip. how should i hook my bait when using a circle?
Although very insightful with good supportive evidence, I have to slightly disagree. I feel circles work better when positioned above a fish, IE from a boat in deeper water, which is supported by your evidence. That is what they were developed for and work perfectly. Fishing from a pier or beach and having your line deployed 400-500 yards makes you almost lateral to the bait and circles don't cut it for me.
If that is what you like then fish it!
I understand that circles developed from tuna chunking but circles where made for hooking in the corner of the mouth, fish swimming straight down, straight up or straight away the line in the fishes mouth will go to the one side or the other resulting in corner of the mouth hook ups. Of coarse there is random times when the circle will bite early or some sharks get hooked in the lower jaw is because of the teeth guiding the line out of its mouth. Even the occasional gut hook happens, but there is no doubt that gut hooked fish are 98% of the time with J hooks.
Deploying baits 500 yards with mono and J hooks vrs deploying baits 500 yards with circle hooks... There is no doubt that circles will win every single time on hook up ratios. good luck trying to set a J hook from 500 yards.
Do you think a dropped back bait to a Bill fish with a circle is not "lateral"? Most of the million dollar tourneys are going all circle also. Using a pitch bait to a Mako from a boat, straight out and most of the time stays near the surface. Deep drop on wrecks or chunking would be the only time your directly over top fish.
Also, I see it as a piece of fishing. You have to hook the fish and fight it in, one of the hardest parts is hooking the fish so why take away that difficult element from this amazing sport? I like the sport of shark fishing as it is very difficult to land the largest of fish. In my opinion, if using circles you should just use an electric reel as well.
Well its not that easy, plus you said it your self ...circles dont cut it for you from the beach????? Is that because they dont work? or because they just hook up to easy?
Amazing "sport" is right... I would like for my kids to be able to shark fish as we do now... if gut hooking and releasing a dead shark swimming is sport thennnnnnn???
Because you " feel " circles work better for different situations. That will never stand up against true collected field data.
stellarol I am not trying to be a DONKEY so dont take this wrong . Like you and I said its just an opinion, Thanks for sharing yours on the subject.
Good fishing and I mean no disrespect, I am just a bad writer. LOL
i have used circles a few times and only got one shark with them. it may have been hook placement in bait but who knows. the one shark i did land was foul hooked in the anal fin with a circle hook. im still trying to figure that one out but i will get some big circles and try them next fishing trip. how should i hook my bait when using a circle?
Depending on the bait, but basic rule of thumb is hook the bait where the circle can have the most exposure. here is a few pics of some of the ways I rig baits with circles.
this is a skate, I rig rays by chopping there tail off and putting the circle in the stump.
so through the noise on a head and the tail on a back chunk. what about a whole bait? i was thinking right behind the fin or head right on top. then rays cut the tail off and put it by the tail. has any one used multiple circle hooks? i know people use 2 j hooks but what about 2 circles. or a circle in the nose and a j threaded through the body.
multiple circle hooks really arent going to do you any better than one well placed circle hook - there are many styles of j hooks and some of them actually work kind of like a circle hook - then there are others with the point actually angling away from the shank of the hook that will just stick into anything - the big question is what are they hooking into ? it is a fact that circle hooks reduce the mortality rate of fish so there is no denying that one - i mean it seems like it should be common sense as to which has a greater chance of survival - one that is hooked in the proximity of the mouth or one that is hooked somewhere down in its gut - another factor to point out is the overall fight - which do you think you would put up a better fight with, if you were hooked somewhere thru your jaw or if the line went down your shirt and pants and was hooked thru your manhood - i think the second option you would probably go wherever the holder of the line wanted you to go. a hookset in the proximity of the mouth is going to be a much more solid hookset as well - anywhere around the mouth since that area is extremely tough versus the soft tissue of a fish's gut that can tear or be pulled thru. if your more comfortable with j's then rock on and fish them - its your right and your choice - there is no denying the efectiveness of a circle hook in a properly rigged bait though and if given the chance to help ensure the fish's survival i will personally choose that route.
im gonna get some bigger circle hooks and give them a try. cant say some thing is bad if you only used it a few times. i use circles for every thing else pretty much.
There is definitly some truth to 1 well placed circle hook vs 2. I use Bonitos 90% of the time, and usually fish with a tale half and a head half. Being that the head half has the skull which is hard, I will place the circle hook behind the gills through the back. This way upon being picked up, if the shark tears a big chunk away, it will take the hook with it. LET THEM RUN. Rule of thumb is at least 15 second count, and thats for hard runs.
Go big, use 20/o circles. they go for about 2$ a piece.
Ive always used j's i have been wanting to try the circles since i use them for all other fishing. Im going to purchase a couple and set up a couple rigs.