"How To" Circle Hook Rigging Question

[Jim Z]

I'm pre-rigging leaders for the sailfish season here in South Florida and was wondering what the preferred rigging isout there from any experienced users. I'm semi-new to circles having only been using them for the past couple seasons. In the photo are some of the ways I've usedor have seen them used. All are on 60 lb. Ande mono withEagle Claw Lazer Sharp non-offset circle hooks and will be used with live baitunder kites and flat lines.

Left is a standard crimp with a small loop allowing the hook to pivot.

Center is a uni-knot cinched down and snug locking the hook in place.

Right is a snell knot with the line exiting the eye of the hook towards the hook.

[north coast]

I've had good luck snelling them. I've also used them for years on tub trawls. I would crimp a loop onto the leader and go through the eye then stick the hook back through the loop. commercial hooks have a bigger eye though. this was done so you could replace hooks without replacing the leader. it gave you a stiff hook though like snelling would.

[CAPTJohnny]

The one on the right is exactly correct and the best way IMHO. Helps to turn the hook into the corner of the fishes' mouth and drive it home

[auguste]

Nice knots Jim

I am going to have to smarten up and learn how to properly snell a hook

[weatherman]

I've used circle hooks on bottom rigs for the past few years, and snelling them seems to be the way to go. They seem to hook-up better, especially with the line exiting the hook eye as in your example, and the lack of a bulky knot has advantages with bait. If I'm making the rigs in advance, I always snell, but tend to use an improved clinch knot if I'm rigging up on the water.

[Jim Z]

auguste - 12/30/2006 8:50 PM Nice knots Jim I am going to have to smarten up and learn how to properly snell a hook

Thanks. That knot took all of 30 seconds to tie, excluding cutting the leader from the spool... I'll try to get a sequenced set of pics together on how, pretty simple really once you see it done. I pulled it from an old Florida Sportsman Magazine article a few years back.

[ubettcha13]

Live bait the less it fights the hook n leader the better that would give the crimp setup an edge But for strip or chunks the knots are better Which you tie best is the one you should use snelled without going through the eye has a nice straight pull I think it is called snooded but don't quote me

[Jim Z]

Jim Z - 12/30/2006 9:15 PM

Thanks. That knot took all of 30 seconds to tie, excluding cutting the leader from the spool... I'll try to get a sequenced set of pics together on how, pretty simple really once you see it done. I pulled it from an old Florida Sportsman Magazine article a few years back.

Here's the step by step snell knot...http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...129963&posts=1

[reefhunter2]

Take a look at the last issue of Marlin where they had a complete sequence of how to rig a ballyhoo with a circle hook. The only difference I would do, is use monel wire instead of copper. Copper breaks too easily.

[Jim Z]

hawknest00 - 12/31/2006 3:51 PM Take a look at the last issue of Marlin where they had a complete sequence of how to rig a ballyhoo with a circle hook. The only difference I would do, is use monel wire instead of copper. Copper breaks too easily.

Thanks,I picked that issue up and found the article. Very informative on rigging dead baits and I found it interesting that in different rigs they used both a crimp as well as a snell. Since I'llprimarily be fishing live baits under kites with thisI was curious if one setup worked better than another.

[prockvoan]

For a circle hook to work right,power snell the hook on with the line feeding back thru from hook tip out to the back side of the eye.To test,just lay the leader in your hand and pull it thru.You will see that the hook will slip and bite into your hand every time.Now if you put the leader the other way,the hook will not bite into your hand.If you use a crimp,do the same test and you will see that 9 out of 10 times it will not hook up.The leader must be stiff to make the circle hook to work right and turn into the cornner of a fishes mouth.Power snell is the only way and the right way to use circle hooks.Been using them for bottom fishing for over 20 years!Do learn NOT to try to set the hook,let the fish do it for you.

[Jim Z]

Looks like the majority vote is for the snell rig. Creates a stiff hook to leader connection which helps turn the hook into the jaw. I'll post results...

[Dentman]

Has anyone had any issues with line cutting or chafing when snelling with flurocarbon? I have been crimping when chunking for tuna here in the NE but I really like the snell better.

[Mako 25]

I snell the hook sets on my billfish lures. Which works quite well for me. I use the tri-beads to space the hook set from the lure head and use some colored electrical tape around the top of the snell and part way up the beads to provide for a semi-stiff rig, along with a sharpened Mustad 7732 stainless hook. This has been a deadly combination for me. The rig will chaff enough to re-rig after two or three sailfish, or one marlin. I know that snelling is old school for lures but I get more hookups.

[Bullshipper]

Unless the eye on the circle is bent forward like a standard hook made for the snell knot, I see the bend on the line at the eye as a problem. I also prefer doubled line going through the eye and therefore prefer the palomar or doubled unit knot.

I also would rather see a billfish circle hook being used with a wider flatter gap for a better hookup ratio.

When trolling smaller live baits I prefer a trap rig over bridling with a small live bait hook wired to the shank of the larger circle.

Here is a link to an example.

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/ma...ig-option.html

[lemaymiami]

I use a lot of circle hooks each year for tarpon when live-baiting. I'm using the offset (I know they're frowned upon for bill-fishing) Gama Octopus circles from 6/0 up to 8/0 (I also use the Owners - always one size smaller than the Gamakatsu). Since I'm using a relatively large bait, ladyfish generally, and targeting large tarpon the leader is usually 80lb fluoro... I've tried snelling with poor results, the edge of the gap can cut through under the right circumstances. I've gone to a simple five turn clinch (not improved) with great results. Eight out of ten hook-ups to the boat on 15 or 20lb line.

I found that attempting to "improve" a clinch knot with 80 (or even 60)lb fluoro results in not being able to properly tighten the clinch knot.. with failures resulting. I think the problem is caused by the fluoro being much stiffer than mono... I've also noted that any attempt to "bow" to jumping fish in the first 20 to 30 seconds of the hookup costs you a fish. I just have my anglers keep the tip pointed at the fish and tell them to keep reeling no matter what's happening. After that first 20 to 30 seconds it's business as usual until the release.

[captkenr]

I've used circle hooks for more than 50 years and about 95% of them have been Mustads. They work so I see no reason for buying far more expensive hooks. I snell mine 100% of the time and NEVER go through the eye of the hook. Snelled correctly, there is no need to go through the eye of the hook. Unless the eye of the hook is upturned, going through the hook will cause your trolling bait to spin.

I'm going to try to attach the procedure I use for snelling. The hooks in the pics below are VMC Southern Tuna hooks size 7/0. Using this method of snelling, I snell 20/0 hooks on 400# mono using no tools and can do it in 30 seconds flat even in the heavy stuff. You can too. The "Line" I use in the example is multistrand electrical wire. (For photo purposes, only.) If you have a problem, e-mail me. I've taught this Snell Knot to thousands of fishermen at my seminars. If you need a "Hook forward" Ballyhoo or Mullet rig, I can supply it too.

[captkenr]

Same knot W/400# mono and 20/0 Mustad circle hook.

[Bullshipper]

[quote]captkenr - 1/21/2007 3:09 PM

Snelled correctly, there is no need to go through the eye of the hook. Unless the eye of the hook is upturned, going through the hook will cause your trolling bait to spin. [quote]

Yes, but check the unwelded hook to make sure it doesn't have a sharp tag end that can dig into the line when it slides up the shank. Welded eyes are usually better.

There really isn't much of a problem with sailfish as the fight is usually over pretty quick. Abrasion from the bill on light mono would be more of a worry than the knot IMO.

[captkenr]

I'll concede the point that welded eye hooks might be better but they are also much more expensive.

I've used 12/0 Mustad circle hooks on 200# leader on my 1/2 hp electric reels (deck mounted) with 625# Stainless cable and caught several thousand pounds of Grouper and snapper before re tying. These leader/hooks are subjected to far more stress than any billfish on conventional tackle could exert. Drag was never less than 100#. These 12/0s have caught many 500# Jewfish and some humongous Sharks along with a few billfish up to 200# or so.

When these leaders broke it was because they were snagged, because of sharks, cudas or wahoo or because I hooked some sea monster that would not come aboard..

I have seen some hook eyes that were deformed or had a sharp edge and some of them were Mustads. Most of the time, the problem could be cured in a few seconds with a file or the hook discarded.

Granted, offshore fishing is expensive and hooks are only a small consideration.