taug fishing with circle hooks

[Capt. Terry]

WELL I GUARENTEE YOU THAT THERE ARE MORE EXPERIENCED TAUG FISHERMAN OUT THERE THAN ME SO DON'T JUST TAKE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY FOR THE FINAL WORD...........MAYBE WHERE YOU ARE FROM THE TAUG ARE EATING DIFFERENT.......BUT FOR HERE THIS METHOD WORKS FOR ME.....GOOD LUCK.

[reel 'n 'easy]

WELL I GUARENTEE YOU THAT THERE ARE MORE EXPERIENCED TAUG FISHERMAN OUT THERE THAN ME SO DON'T JUST TAKE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY FOR THE FINAL WORD...........MAYBE WHERE YOU ARE FROM THE TAUG ARE EATING DIFFERENT.......BUT FOR HERE THIS METHOD WORKS FOR ME.....GOOD LUCK.

Thank you for being honest.
I'm looking for as much imput as possible.
My thought was based on the assumption that the fish gets hooked before it actually swalllows the bait (with circle hooks). Knowing that taug hit quick with there lips i thought it might be a better approach. My thinking is that the circle hook does'nt need to be ingested? Someone please inform me as to the science of the circle hook, how it works? Is it on a first strike basis?
Thanks for any imput

[Capt. Terry]

WELL I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE SCIENCE.......BUT WHEN YOU COME TIGHT ON IT IT TURNS INTO THE CORNER OF A FISHES MOUTH AFTER THE FISH INJESTS THE BAIT......THE DELEMA WITH A TAUG IS THAT HE/SHE DOES NOT EAT THE WHOLE BAIT,......THEY SUCK THE MEAT OUT OF THE CRAB MOST OF THE TIME BEFORE YOU GET THE HOOK IN THEM.....I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT IS THE MAIN REASON WHY THE HOOK ENDS UP IN THEIR LIPS SO FREQUENTLY. JUST MY OPINION......YOU GOTTA BE FAST ON 'EM I KNOW THAT!! GOOD LUCK.

WWW.FISHGALEFORCE.COM

[charlesk]

I just got back from the Indian River Inlet yesterday. Used nothing but circle hooks. My hookup ratio was better with the circle hooks, but I did lose 2 big ones when they dove for the rocks. I think the circle hook gives them extra time to make a dive for it but I could be wrong. What line weight are you guys using on the rocks?

[ffoley]

I like fishing circle hooks for tog, I have found I don't like holding the rod all the time or sometimes I will fish multiple rods.

If I'm pouring a cup of coffee or reading the paper in the cabin, or taking a sheist...I just wait for the rod to bend over the gunnel then I casually stroll out and reel it in.

Use heavy guage hooks and line (80#).

If I am fishing in heavy boulders different story...I hold my rod more and may not use circle hooks. The thing is getting them out of the rocks once you come tight. It may be too late if they made it back into their cave. And, I have lost some fish that way with circles and J hooks.

I can't tell ya how many times I have got a nibble and go to set the hook and got nothin but water. The boys can get down right brutal on the critical side when that happens
With a circle hook, there's no hook set and you can spare yourself some embarrassment.

[Mirage36]

I like fishing circle hooks for tog, I have found I don't like holding the rod all the time or sometimes I will fish multiple rods.

If I'm pouring a cup of coffee or reading the paper in the cabin, or taking a sheist...I just wait for the rod to bend over the gunnel then I casually stroll out and reel it in.

Use heavy guage hooks and line (80#).

If I am fishing in heavy boulders different story...I hold my rod more and may not use circle hooks. The thing is getting them out of the rocks once you come tight. It may be too late if they made it back into their cave. And, I have lost some fish that way with circles and J hooks.

I can't tell ya how many times I have got a nibble and go to set the hook and got nothin but water. The boys can get down right brutal on the critical side when that happens
With a circle hook, there's no hook set and you can spare yourself some embarrassment.

This is the difference between skill and lazy. I can't believe anyone finds it fun to deadstick a tog.

[Capt. Terry]

I PERSONALLY HAVE NEVER MYSELF SEEN ANY ONE DEADSTICK A TAUG,......DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE......WHAT FUN IS THAT?

I CAN PERSONALLY SAY I SAW AT LEAST 18 TO 20 RIGS BROKE OFF ON SATURDAY'S CHARTER......WE CAUGHT LOTS OF TAUG. NICE FOLKS ON THE TRIP......DIDN'T WANT TO KILL ANY UNDER 18 INCHES WHICH I HAD TO APPLAUD THEM FOR THAT. THEY TOOK HOME A NICE MIXED BOX OF TAUG AND SEA BASS. NO CIRCLE HOOKS THAT I SAW.

WWW.FISHGALEFORCE.COM

[Capt. Terry]

I DO HAVE TO ADD THAT ON FRIDAY'S TRIP THAT I RAN.....HAD 4 GUYS WHO WANTED FLOUNDER AND BLUEFISH.....WHEN WE STARTED IT WAS SLACK TIDE SO I TOOK THEM TO THE NORTH PILING UNDER THE IRI BRIDGE....DROPPED DOWN THE LIVE SPOT TO TRY AND TRICK A ROCKFISH..THREE RODS BENT OVER.

TWO WITH BLUEFISH AND ONE HAD A 21.25" TAUG - HOLY MOLY I GOTTA TELL YA'LL IT SHOCKED ME TO DEATH!!!!

I NEVER SEEN A TAUG CAUGHT ON A LIVE SPOT BEFORE, ......BUT I CAN SAY THAT I SAW IT ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 01, 2009 IN THE INDIAN RIVER INLET.

EITHER HE WAS REALLY HUNGRY OR THEIR ARE A LOAD OF FISH IN THE INLET RIGHT NOW........OR BOTH!!

WWW.FISHGALEFORCE.COM

[reel 'n 'easy]

This is the difference between skill and lazy. I can't believe anyone finds it fun to deadstick a tog.

My original question wasn't for the purpose of dead sticking. It was for some of the older folks that come out that are a little slow on the draw as we all know you cant be with togs. I was looking to give them a little advantage in the hook up ratio, and posed the question because circle hooks are supposed to set themselve. I personaly like the challenge of tog fishing and find it to be one of the most toughest fish to catch but a hell of alotta fun especialy now with the sea bass closure. It sure is tough to go out right now for only one taug limit and no sea bass..might have to start to targeting porgies to make it justifiable

[reel 'n 'easy]

I PERSONALLY HAVE NEVER MYSELF SEEN ANY ONE DEADSTICK A TAUG,......DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE......WHAT FUN IS THAT?

I CAN PERSONALLY SAY I SAW AT LEAST 18 TO 20 RIGS BROKE OFF ON SATURDAY'S CHARTER......WE CAUGHT LOTS OF TAUG. NICE FOLKS ON THE TRIP......DIDN'T WANT TO KILL ANY UNDER 18 INCHES WHICH I HAD TO APPLAUD THEM FOR THAT. THEY TOOK HOME A NICE MIXED BOX OF TAUG AND SEA BASS. NO CIRCLE HOOKS THAT I SAW.

WWW.FISHGALEFORCE.COM

what is your thoughts on using them for taugs?