Circle hooks on for jigging

[Caveman Sportfishing]

Thought we might get some opinions on this subject as we will be doing quite a few jigging trips this year on the Hooked Up II out of Cape May




I found one notable charter boat out of NJ used jigs with circle hooks for tuna for the purpose of catch and release last year.
They say the hookup ratio is not bad and they caught many tuna on the jigs. It is understandable as we usually wind fast instead of setting hooks when tuna hit jigs.
I thought jigs with circle hooks is a good idea when we put the jigging rod on the rodholder using outriggers unattended.
But it is good to know jigs with circle hook work even jigging as we normally do.

I think that the assist hooks are shaped an awful lot like a circle, with the point facing into the shank. Not offset like a circle and the angle back into the shank not so pronounced, but a bit like the original circles which were turned straight back in.... The rigger method for us is deadly, lock down the drag, and let the boat and the clip do all the work. I used alot of jigs with just a single assist hook, and most fish were mouth hooked, save for one or two that engulfed it.

Kil .. we use jigs with circles on the Canyon Runner boats when fishing the jig from the rigger. When holding the rod , we prefer the trebles and regular "J" hooks for catch and release. I regret not keeping a count of how many tuna we landed on jigs last year on the HU2, but as you know , there were many

Mark

I prefer the circle hooks on bigger tuna as we have had two many lost fish when the fight last longer than normal and have not had one fish lost when on a circle hook to date and we caught quite a few last season. my favorite jig is the Canyon Runner hammered diamond jigs with the large Mustad Sea Deamon single circle hooks. I also do not favor those small assist hooks that are on many jigs today and prefer a large single hook as least on canyon Yellowfin in the 100 lb range and inshore bluefin over 125 lbs. I am looking for others thoughts and opinions on this subject as the tuna jigging is now beginning off the Southern NJ, DE, MD and Northern VA coasts right now.

[Sea Draggin]

Good question John. I am bringing in some jigs right now that will be available in August. In the process of setting the specs, I asked one hook or two? What kind of hook, etc.

I went with a large single stiff rigged heavy hook(slight recurve). Although I feel novice consumers look at a two hook jig as a better value, most of the experienced anglers tend to prefer a single hook, because of the danger of that second hook getting stuck in your hand. So i did what I thought was right, even if it costs me a sale or two. Of course people can add a second if they want.

I also could have spec'd circle hooks, but again I think folks may look at skeptically. I will probably offer an circle hook as a separate item later in the year, but for now folks will have to tie there own, which a lot people do anyway.

[paul708]

capt john..alot of good quotes there
it seems that they work
and are used in different ways
but may work both ways
either setting the hook
or letting the fish run and hook itself
i guess we may be trying a few circles on trips this year
get some more data in actual use

[molder 1]

just a question, a fair share of the fish I have caught jigging have been foul hooked in the side of the head. Do you all think these would have been missed fish with a circle hook. Also have not had any deep hooked fish with the jig.

[Caveman Sportfishing]

Put this post up to get others opinions on circle hooks on jigs. I can only share my experience to date when using them and welcome any comments and insight.