Ballyhoo » Rigging Ballyhoo On Circle Hooks
Circle Hooks and J-Hooks for Saltwater Fishing - Catch More Fish with Sharpened Bait Hooks
Circle hooks and J-hooks are the two most commonly found types of saltwater bait hooks. There is an ongoing debate by saltwater anglers as to whether circle hooks are better than J-hooks and I believe each have their own advantages when fishing in different conditions and scenarios. Saltwater hooks often come pre-sharpened and are designed to corrode over time, causing little harm to those fish that were lucky enough to have won a battle with a heart-broken fisherman.
J-hooks are the hooks many anglers refer to when they speak of a fishing bait hook. They are the ones that are shaped and resemble the letter J, thus the name J-hook. The fishing line is thread through the eye of the hook and then tied with the appropriate knot. J-hooks come in barbed and barb-less versions for those who like to practice catch and release. J-hooks should match in size to line class, fishing tackle and the type of bait being used.
Circle hooks have rapidly gained popularity over the recent years. These hooks are characterized by their similarities to the letter G. Circle hooks can be very effective when targeting fish species with sharp teeth, as they are designed to set in the corner of the mouth, away from any line chewing teeth. This type of hook can become quite expensive, as many come laser sharpened to increase their effectiveness. The disadvantage of this type of bait hook is that it is extremely difficult to pin your bait on a circle hook and should be used mostly for fishing with big baits.
Whichever hook you prefer to use, remember that when setting the hook, two different methods should be utilized depending on the type of fishing hook being used. J-hooks should be set with a solid swing of the rod, while circle hooks should be allowed to set themselves with a simple engaging of the fishing reel. The pull and tug of the fish will cause a circle hook to slide down into the corner of the mouth and embed securely. Swinging the rod to set the hook with a circle hook will often lead to a pulled hook and disappointed anglers.This is one of the hardest things to remember when fishing with circle hooks. The adrenaline-rush from being picked up or bit causes most inexperienced anglers to immediately swing the rod in an attempt to hook the fish. Instead, anglers should calmly engage the reel, the same with both spinning and conventional reels, and slowly begin winding down into the fish, until the fish begins to pull drag from the reel. Only then should the angler lift the rod to begin the fight.
Traditionally found in silver and bronze, manufacturers have recently introduced lines of red circle and j-hooks. These are designed to create a wounded bait perception, with the red creating the illusion of a bleeding fish. I have found that these can be extremely effective in tough fishing conditions. Also, both freshwater and saltwater anglers should try the ringed hooks on their next adventure. This ingenious hook addition allows for better and livelier bait presentation, promotes longevity and most importantly, keeps your bait in the bite zone for substantially longer periods of time, a key ingredient to getting bit.
I have been fishing for over 20 years of my life and hope to continue to do so for the next 30. I have dedicated myself to sharing what I have learned through those years in the hopes of promoting this popular outdoor recreational activity by providing commentaries and reviews, video tutorials, fishing tips and more. Come visit my site at http://spinningreels.com for freshwater and saltwater fishing information.
Source: www.a1articles.com