Swords - Circle or J Hooks

[waterman482]

18/0 offset circle w the crimp pulled nice and tight on the eye with a tag end of leader out the top of the crimp so the squid can't slide down and that is a good sword setup

[ReelProShop]

OK you sword hunters. Been using J hooks for a while now while limited success. Considering switching to circles as some have suggested a better hookup ratio. What do you think? (for night drifting)

Also, what is considered the best method for using circles:

(1) keep the drags loose so they can run a bit before tightening the drag or

(2) keep the drag at strike and let em hook themselves.

I have used Circle hooks from Lindgren Pitman in the 16/0 non offset and the 18/0 offset. The non offset hook worked better for the limited amount of time we fished rod n reel and bouy gear. Haven't tried daytiming with circles yet but will give it try someday. The daytime bite has been super sick the last few weeks with Sword bites on every drop. Problem is hooking these fish. Most of the time the fish is wrapped up in the line/leader and you never get a hook in them and they come unwrapped before meeting the steel.

But if you hook one in the mouth, any fin, eye socket, bill, tail, etc.... it's coming to the boat no matter what drag setting you have! Foul hooked in any part of the flesh and you better have your drag set light and a lot of time on your hands.

As for daytiming... catch ratio's are at best 50% over time for the crews fishing Ft Lauderdale/Miami. That's rodnreel or electric's. You have good days when you go 3 for 3 or 4 for 6 but the 2 for 8 days keep you coming back for more.

J hook sizes at night for us are 7/0 to 10/0 and the Mustad 7691SS or Z work well. The Owner 9/0 and 10/0 Jobu's are favorite's by some and hated by others. I have some swiveled Super Mutu's in the 10/0 and 11/0 I plan to try soon on the bottom fish. But mainly the 10 and 11/0 sizes are getting the daytime fish.

-Tek

[rarhomes]

The Owner 9/0 and 10/0 Jobu's are favorite's by some and hated by others.
-Tek

I second the The Owner 9/0 and 10/0 Jobu's.

Capt Rick