
Top Pick for Eels BKK Hybrid Circle Sizes 6/0-8/0 Top Pick For Chunking Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Straight Eye (Inline Point)Ĭut baits sit well on this sturdy hook, while the straight eye works with a variety of knots. Our Favorite Picks Top Pick for Clams and Worms Eagle Claw Striped Bass Inline Circle Baitholder Snellīaitkeepers and a longer shank will present soft baits well while keeping the hook point clear for solid Pass the hook point between the rubber band and the bait and position it so that the bait is sitting at the bend and the hook is pointing up.Īnglers can also use tools like the Ultimate Bait Bridle, to make bridling easier, by adding the bait to a large clip, and then adding the clip to the hook where it is kept in place by a rubber retaining band. Loop both ends of the rubber band onto the hook, and twist until the bait is snug to the hook. Using the needle, pass the rubber band through the bunker’s snout, just ahead of the eyes. Because the hook isn’t piercing the bait, this also allows anglers to use slightly smaller circle hooks than would be required if hooking the bait through the lips or nose.īridling a bunker for striped bass requires an open-eye rigging needle and a small rubber band.
Circle hook free#
3D Fishing Products Ultimate Bait Bridle The Benefit of Bridlingīridling a bait allows it to swim freely, while leaving the hook free for better hook ups. Bait keepers can be helpful with clams and worms, and bait stoppers, like the B-Lok, are useful when bridling large live baits like bunker or mackerel by preventing themt from sliding up the shaft and fouling on the hook. These designs keep the bait in place, leaving the hook point free to take purchase in a fish’s jaw.
Circle hook pro#
Hook manufacturers also make circles with bait keepers (Eagle Claw Pro Baited Circle Sea) and bait stoppers (VMC B-Lok Tournament Circle). Soft baits like clams and worms are threaded onto the shank, so a longer shank is better for these baits. Most circle hooks feature a short shank, which is favored for live baits and cut menhaden that rest in the bend of the hook. Eels are best fished with a medium wire, as a thin hook will tear through the bait on the cast, while a heavy-wire hook can do too much damage to the bait. Large baits, like live menhaden, can be fished with a thicker-gauge wire, though wire of a medium thickness will cause less damage to the bait and is sturdy enough for large stripers. Small, soft baits like clams or worms fish best with thinner-wire circle hooks, as these are less likely to tear through the baits. The thickness of a circle hook’s wire is an important consideration. A circle hook with a wider gap will leave enough room to find the corner of a striper’s jaw while accommodating a large bait. This is important for large baits like live andĬhunked menhaden. Anatomy of a Circle Hook Gapīy design, a circle hook has a narrow gap, but gap size does vary between models. These hooks are easier to bait, but are more likely to deep-hook a fish than an inline circle. Immediately eliminate any circle hooks that do not comply with the regulations, specifically, offset circles. Here are the most important considerations for choosing a circle hook for stripers. With the variety of circle hooks made by every hook manufacturer, there is a dizzying array of hooks to choose from. While fishermen are eager to help the striped bass population recover, many are asking which circle hooks to use. The goal is to reduce the release mortality of caught and released striped bass.


Striped bass anglers are required to use inline circle hooks when fishing with natural baits. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.)
