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Jstone · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 4:35 pm Post subject: What size hooks?

I'm going to be making a trip to port a in a couple weeks and am going to be fishing on the jetties for trout, reds, mangrove, flounder, whatever bites....I'm new to circle hooks and am just wondering what size hooks everyone uses. I'll do some bottom fishing and some slip corking. I'll be fishing with live shrimp and whatever fish I can cast net.

ziacatcher · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 5:28 pm Post subject:

The sizes I normally use if fishing shrimp us either 1/0 or 2/0 circles. On my bigger surf rods I use 6/0 or 7/0.

john's addicted · Horse Mullet Joined: 15 Feb 2011 Posts: 171

I use #10 treble hooks when using live shrimp. Look for the heavy duty ones. They might seem small, but I've caught some big fish on these small hooks. I use these when I'm trying to make a meat haul. When I want to catch and release, I use size 2-4 circles, depending on the size of bait I'm using.
One of the fun thing about the little treble hooks is you get to do the Kevin Van Damm hook set when you get a bite, where as with the circles you just start reeling and the hook sets itself.
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1.2.3,4,5. once i caught a fish alive.
6.7.8,9,10. so i let him go again.

Geocaste · Joined: 26 Jun 2015 Posts: 3

I agree. #10 treble just under base of the horn avoiding any vitals. Hook is light enough for the shrimp to swim and it stays alive until something eats it. Trout are quick to spit a hook so 3X the hooks 3x the hook ups. Only use if you plan on keeping the fish.
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Grandpa always said "anything free is worth saving up for"

Geocaste · Joined: 26 Jun 2015 Posts: 3

Extended version: At the Jetties avoid bottom fishing unless you bring alot of hooks and weights or cast a long way. Popping cork is a good choice. I like light weight tackle. Carolina rig #10 treble with 1/8 to 1/2 oz sinker (depending on current and where the fish are holding) about 10"-12" from hook. Very slow retrieve. Great for trout, sheephead in the rocks. Flounder, Pomp, and whiting on sandy bottom. http://fishonlures.co.uk/how-to-section/carolina-rig/[/img]
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Grandpa always said "anything free is worth saving up for"

kweber · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 3:30 am Post subject:

hit the search link under the adds for "lemon rig"...
http://www.corpusfishing.com/messageboard/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=33219&highlight=lemon+rig
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TexGator · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 22 May 2012 Posts: 429

I like #2 or 3 Kahle hooks

landlocked beachbum · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 3:53 pm Post subject:

Jstone · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 4:07 pm Post subject:

Thank you everyone for the replies, after reading a lot on the forum and seeing the replies, would I be out of line in taking the averages from everything and throwing a 2/0-3/0 with live shrimp, small pin perch, or menhaden etc. under a cork, on bottom, or free lining? And using a 5/0 for bottom fishing with cut skipjack or live piggy perch for reds?

landlocked beachbum · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 5:26 pm Post subject:

JMHO, but that's pushing overkill for live shrimp. You'll get more hits and land just as many on smaller over larger, in the sizes mentioned.
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Dave

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits". Albert Einstein

john's addicted · Horse Mullet Joined: 15 Feb 2011 Posts: 171

LLbb... After observing the general tone of your IMHOpinions over the years, it doesn't surprise me in the least that you don't get it. It's not a macho thing. As stated; I think it's fun.
Simple opinions are what the guy asked for.
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1.2.3,4,5. once i caught a fish alive.
6.7.8,9,10. so i let him go again.

landlocked beachbum · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 8:23 pm Post subject:

Yes, and a simple opinion (as obviously stated) is what I gave! Wink

We are all entitled to them and others are free to agree or not. Apparently you don't like my opinion or opinions. C'est la vie.........

My comment wasn't meant as a dis or a dig, sorry if you took it that way.
_________________
Dave

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits". Albert Einstein

hickroots07 · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 4:49 am Post subject:

You aren't fishing right if when you set the hook the weight and bait don't fly out of the water back at your face Laughing

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Great captains, the stuff of legend, are made not by what they have caught, but by what they have given back.

landlocked beachbum · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 6:48 am Post subject:

Do that with the hooks that the original poster was asking about and you will go fishless and frustrated....... Embarassed

I might add that you just may increase your catch with circles because they catch right in the corner of the mouth MOST of the time. Don't know or care to guess on a percentage, but I only remember catching 1-2 fish that were throat/gut hooked with circles. I NEVER would have had a chance landing that nice Wahoo a few seasons back if I had been using a standard J hook, because I was also using a 20 lb fluoro leader. Even though the leader had some nicks in it from sliding past that hoo's teeth after the bait/hook started out in the throat, the 2/0 circle catching in the corner of the mouth allowed the knot and line to stay out of those chompers for the remainder of the LONG battle! Smile

Same thing goes for more than a few Bluefish, one a 6 pounder in Vero Beach. I NEVER would have landed those puppies without a wire leader If there had been a J hook on the end!

J A: Comment deleted just for you..... Cool

_________________
Dave

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits". Albert Einstein

Jstone · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 11:02 am Post subject:

It seems like everyone who uses circle hooks seems to love them. I've always been mainly a j hook user but am excited to try the circles....I'm sure I'll probably lose a few fish cause I'll still set the hook at first out of habit. Do you raise your rod and start reeling immediately or do you let them take it for a few seconds? And what if they're "biting" instead of just "taking the bait"....still no hook set I'm guessing? T minus 8 days and counting. Getting pretty fired up!