Ccab

We fish mangroves exclusively with live pogeys and croakers on Mustad 39952BL 6/0 circles. We also use the 5/0 when the bait is smaller. Snell 2 to 3 feet of 80# fluorocarbon leader or use 60 pound mono leader to the hook. Connect that to 80# braid with a uni to uni knot. i think the 2 most important things are to snell properly and dont jerk. We pitch the bait to the rig leg and when the Mangrove hits it, start reeling while walking to the back of the boat. If the rigs dont get you, the mangroves teeth eventually will break you off. You can never have enough hooks!

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"When in doubt use the most uncommon weapon of all - common sense"

prockvoan

Ccab,you stated the most importane thing about using circle hooks. " properly snell" If you don't snell them right,your hook up will be less then 25%. I can't stress that point how important that is.


If anybody wants to learn the right way and is close around Baton Rouge,I will be more then happy to meet with you to teach you how to do a easy and very fast way no matter what size leader/line one uses.

LATROUT

I always snell em now. When we first started tuna fishing with em I just tied em on with a uni knot, and never had any trouble. When we had a commercial snapper "bandit" rig we crimped em on and caught piles of em. Any of ya'll have a pic of a hook that's properly snelled?