Because circle hooks help to significantly increase fish survival rates when practicing catch and release, they have been incorporated into live bait regulations for many states. The difference between a circle hook and a J-hook is that the circle hook is shaped so that the point is turned perpendicular towards the shank instead of the point being parallel to the shank as it is with a J-hook.
Here are the five benefits of using circle hooks when practicing catch and release fishing:
- Circle hooks can be used in both freshwater and saltwater fisheries to cause less harm to catch and release species.
- Anglers don’t need to set the hook when using a circle hook. Circle hooks will set themselves in the jaw or lip of the fish, as long as you let the fish take the bait and reel at a steady pace while keeping light pressure on the line.
- Circle hooks come in a wide variety of sizes from a tiny size 32 to size 19/0. This means they can be used on any species that is caught on hook and line. When buying circle hooks, consider the size of the fish you are targeting and the bait that will be used.
- Circle hooks prevent gut hooked fish since the shape does not allow them to get caught in the gut cavity or throat of the fish. The hook generally slides toward the point of resistance and embeds itself in the corner of the fish’s mouth.
- Non-stainless steel circle hooks will dissolve or deteriorate over time if they happen to stay in the fish. Source Fishidy and read the complete story here….