Circles & J's

[SeaMent]

Due to the Hot Marlin Bite off of NJ, DE, MD and VA, I have heard rumblins that some folks are not to happy about the number of White Marlin releases being posted by boats using J's in lieu of Circles !! I understand this is NOT Tourny fishin and strictly FUN or CHARTER fishin, but what percentage of boats out there are TARGETING BILLFISH and still using J's ?? I'm goin to take a wild guess and say maybe 80% of the fleet are still using J's, what do you think ???

[whitey]

We are using all circles and when I walk around the docks in Cape May I see a probably 75 percent of the boats rigging with circles as well.

[Fritz]

Tuna fishermen may be using J's, but rest assured the billfish boats are using CR's. Besides, the hookup ratio is soooo much better on CR's.

[striper swiper]

If your targeting Marlin and not using Circles by now your not very good at it. The ratio of landing is soo much better with circles.

[SeaMent]

We are using all circles and when I walk around the docks in Cape May I see a probably 75 percent of the boats rigging with circles as well.

Whitey, that's good news on the 75% I never thought it would be that high. I've heard a few Capts. say "F" the Circles
I ain't fishin no Tournament, and they still go after em with the J's. That's why I ask the question. Thanks

[SeaMent]

Fritz & SS,

I don't pull nothin but Circles when White Marlin or Sailfishin and I agree that the hookup ratio is better, also the fish are released in much better condition than with J's. I am just curious to know how many boats are still doin it the old fashion way ?? Thanks

[Anthony of the ARK]

i know the majority of the boats out of sunset are using cirlces when fishing for marlins. i would say over 85% percent are using circle hooks. in my opinion circles are more effective then J's

[Johnk1040]

Fritz & SS,

I don't pull nothin but Circles when White Marlin or Sailfishin and I agree that the hookup ratio is better, also the fish are released in much better condition than with J's. I am just curious to know how many boats are still doin it the old fashion way ?? Thanks

I agree Mike and thats why i started that post the other day. It just suprised me that many do but I didnt know Mike Standing had run out of rigs, which is the best reason ive heard of yet to still be using j's!

[#1Gaffman]

as whitey said, almost all the crews i know that target bills on a regular basis use circles. We whent to them and like em.

[Squidnation]

We saw one boat using J's Or if they were using circles then roland was on the rod. - Every boat I have fished on for billfish has used 100% circles.