Circle hooks in trolled baits - Canyon Kickoff

[snowranger]

Just wanted to report as to the results of dragging ballyhoo with circles in the Canyon Kickoff last weekend. Friday fished around the west wall of the Baltimore and went 6 for 11 on dolphin bites. 5 of the dolphin came on wide gap circles rigged on pin rigs just like a j-hook (with a double crimp to account for the short hook shank). The hooks were rigged shallow in the bait to maximize the amount of gap exposed and were located between the mid point and just behind the gills. Of the 5 bites we missed, one jumped off at the boat and 4 were either short strikes or just didn't come tight. We fished all of the circles on minimal drag and dropped back after most of the bites (although most of the fish we caught came tight on the strike).

Saturday fished inshore (Hotdog) and caught our two keeper bluefin on horse ballyhoo behind islanders, rigged as described above. The fish ate wwwwb baits on an 80 with light drag. Never freespooled them, but let them run for a few seconds before pushing up the drag a bit.
I was unsure how the circle rigs would work but overall was impressed. Full report to follow in the Big Game section. If I get a chance I will take a picture of the rigs and post them.

[Little Terp]

Could you share the brand of hooks you used and size?

[snowranger]

Owner SSW iInline Circles 9/0 and some Eagle Claws a guy in my marina hooked me up with. I will see if I can find the package.

[frankypettolina]

on Dink baits, Eagle Claw 2004ELF 7 or 8/os

Go up in size appropriately for skirted rigs.

[catchemup]

Franky,
Have you had problems with the eagle claws? I was talking to Bruce at Capt. Macs and he said there have been some problems with them breaking. I went with the owner hooks this past weekend with no problems.

[snowranger]

I agree with the 2004elf for whites. I wouldn't want one on the business end of a bluefin though.

[Current Affair]

Why, in costa they catch 200LB Yellowfin Tunas on them and 100+lb sails, black and blues.

[snowranger]

They just don't seem strong enough. Maybe it is just a psychological thing. I am sure they can catch anything with light drag and a little finesse, but my preference would be a larger gauge hook for bigger fish.

[Little Terp]

Thanks for the come back on the kind of hooks. This circle hook thing is new to me for offshore. I have been using them in the bay for years. Thanks again!

[Squidnation]

Originally Posted by catchemup

Franky,
Have you had problems with the eagle claws? I was talking to Bruce at Capt. Macs and he said there have been some problems with them breaking. I went with the owner hooks this past weekend with no problems.

I have heard lots of stories of the eagle claw 8/0's breaking as well. It was also proven to me that the can spring as well. While in Venezuela we had a blue marlin pull the hook at the side of the boat and we all saw what happened. The hook obviously straightened out. When we retrieved the hook it was almost back to normal. Really looked like it sprung back.

While in Costa Rica with Whitey I was relaying the story to Capt Bob Burnside on the Pescadora and he said they can spring back. He showed me back at the dock when he put on an 8/0 on an eye ring and pulled really hard. the hook came off the eye. only way it could have happened was if it straightened. When we inspected the hook it had sprung back almost to normal.