Have had a fair number of larger Chinook shake the hook the last couple of weeks on our boat.
I am considering experimenting with circle hooks in hoochies for big Chinook. I know there has been discussion in the past about the effectiveness of doing so. IE. Decreases hook ups but also decrease greatly salmon that get off once hooked up. I have read that they hook up better than you would think as salmon tend to twist and turn away once they strike and that helps the circle hook work in to wrap around the jaw bone or corner of the mouth and once fully set they are very unlikely to shake the hook, even if they get slack.
Some think they work well but very few use them which is in itself interesting.
In the area we fish ( Sooke) over the past few years the largest Chinook we have got in has been in the lower 30’s but have kept some from about 6lbs and up. As I understand it the hook would often fit around the jaw to hold the fish and as there is quite a variance in jaw size, what would be the best size # for the hook? I would prefer to select for bigger fish and let the smaller one’s have a lower hook up rate if hook size is a factor with circle hooks. I am thinking that it could be an advantage to keep off all the shakers and very small salmon and wonder if the circle hooks would do that while still hooking up the big ones.
For those who have used them:
- What is your opinion on hook up rates and general use?
-What brand and type circle hook work best for salmon? I am thinking stainless.
-What size number would work best to maximize both hook up rate and proper setting around the jaw for salmon in the 13 to 35lb class or a more average decent fish of about 20lbs.
I am considering experimenting with circle hooks in hoochies for big Chinook. I know there has been discussion in the past about the effectiveness of doing so. IE. Decreases hook ups but also decrease greatly salmon that get off once hooked up. I have read that they hook up better than you would think as salmon tend to twist and turn away once they strike and that helps the circle hook work in to wrap around the jaw bone or corner of the mouth and once fully set they are very unlikely to shake the hook, even if they get slack.
Some think they work well but very few use them which is in itself interesting.
In the area we fish ( Sooke) over the past few years the largest Chinook we have got in has been in the lower 30’s but have kept some from about 6lbs and up. As I understand it the hook would often fit around the jaw to hold the fish and as there is quite a variance in jaw size, what would be the best size # for the hook? I would prefer to select for bigger fish and let the smaller one’s have a lower hook up rate if hook size is a factor with circle hooks. I am thinking that it could be an advantage to keep off all the shakers and very small salmon and wonder if the circle hooks would do that while still hooking up the big ones.
For those who have used them:
- What is your opinion on hook up rates and general use?
-What brand and type circle hook work best for salmon? I am thinking stainless.
-What size number would work best to maximize both hook up rate and proper setting around the jaw for salmon in the 13 to 35lb class or a more average decent fish of about 20lbs.
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