found a circle

[frankypettolina]

There have been some past comments about not seeing circle hooks left in the mouth of billfish that are "recaught." This lead some to speculate that the hook lodged in the corner of the mouth after release hinders feeding or something like that.

Well the white I caught yesterday was a first for the angler so I billed it and held it up for a pic. I removed my hook and I noticed a slightly rusted circle in his jaw! Now we all know how quick these things rust just trolling, so I guess this fish must have been caught recently prior to me catching it.

The other interesting thing is that I caught this angler his first blue 5 years ago the day before his birthday, and sure enough this was the anniversary of this trip and he got his first white- today is his 73rd birthday.

[tolbard]

way cool I hope I make it to 73. I bet the fish's name was tony.

[Deep C]

Very few circle returns... A rare one indeed. As far as rusting, they do get surface rust quick but "rust out" takes a very long time. You might remember a couple of us put em to the test... Mustad 9174 J hook was first to go... Owner circle I think was second... The red eagle claw was still "in tact" when I quit my experiment after like 6 weeks.

It is interesting about aniversaries bringing good things. I've seen it a few times. Nothing beats a birthday fish for a good friend though...

[WhiteySlayer]

We found a circle in the corner of a cuda's mouth in the Abacos this spring. It was barely rusted when we got it but the crimp was well corroded and the little bit of leader left was well chafed up.

[clt_capt]

May your angler catch the 7 other species of billfish - each 5 years apart...Nice Birthday present...

[JRJBfishing]

I have an inshore grouper hole I fish only a couple times a year. It is sharp, and holds BIG grouper. Two years ago in November I got broken off in the rocks. I was using a 10/0 owner circle. The following June I caught a grouper on that same spot that had my 10/0 owner in its mouth along with a short piece of my leader line. Although the hook was rusted, it was far from "rust out" stage.

[fishocean]

I don't know how a hook could rust without oxygen and being under water it would not be able to get oxygen. I would think that it would fall out before it would rust.I would think that the rust that was on Franky's fish was on there before the fish was hooked.Correct me if i am wrong???

[frankypettolina]

I know it rusted very quickly when I left it out after removing it. I think they have to rust a bit underwater- isn't there oxygen in the water? Just added in with other elements? I know science is my weak suit, but freshwater is H2O would saltwater be NaCLH2O or something like that? Not being a smart ass, really asking.

[fishocean]

After doing a little research, I believe that the hooks work their way out on their own through their movement and feeding. They don't rust because they are constantly under water and have no way of being oxidized because pure oxygen never has the chance to reach the hooks. This is the same principal as on that show Swamp Loggers. They leave the logs in the water for long periods of time and they don't rot. The reason wood rots, is from the repeated saturation and drying out.....This is just my take on it.

[Deep C]

Frank that test I did... The hooks went months with very little rust... Kinda blew my mind cause I'll get rust bad just in tackle cabinets from humidity and salt air... What we did get was more of a corrosion (pitting) but still took a long time to where you could say it was finished...
The detrimental part of the whole circle thing is that ferequently they set in the mandible rendering it damaged to the point that eating becomes impaired. Seined tuna that had circles (presumably from long lines) were emaciated far worse than all other fish in one study... Their design is such that its hard to fall out naturally which further complicates the issue.
True they don't gut hook fish but think about it. Fish stomach acids can handle bones and other stuff just fine. If they can't eat though thats a problem. The circle is here to stay though and I've grown used to them...