Circle or J hook
 

Was wondering what hook is used more often, circle or J style. Just curious. I have been using J hooks myself.

Circle hook for me. Less chance of me screwing up or missing the hook set

Circle, just let the fish eat the bait and throw it in gear and wind down.

I like a flyline J hook on the surface and a circle hook on the dropper loop

Last 2 trips out, trip with J hooks, 5 bites one brought on the boat, next trip I used circle, ended up 5 for 5 on the boat. Circle for me from now on

I use circle hooks for everything, I haven't landed a fish that didn't have the hook set in the corner of the mouth

7 hookups on flylined J hooks 7 fish canned and smoked :luxhello:

Circle, especially if you are going to release it.

GamaKatsu, flyline J hook has a long shank and thin and strong does the least amount of damage to the mackerel if it's not in the belly it's been in the corner of mouth 7x7 knock on wood same splice of 40lb florcarbon retired my hook once

I have always used j hooks but now might give Circle a try

sent from my thumbs on my G4

I tied on a J hook last night but as much as I like to set the hook, now I'm thinking Circle hook.

:DJ hookAttachment 16600

Circle for sure. It puts it right in the corner of the lip every time.

Circle Attachment 16601

Circle Attachment 16602

I'vehonr totally to circles. They've worked well for me in pretty much all bait applications. I prefer the gamakatsu Nautilus. Or for small baits owner mutu lights. Years ago on a trip collecting yellow for brood stock for the hubbs hatchery we wanted no deep hooking so we allbused circles. I was impressed how well circles worked and have been using them since. Mike

I release more than half my fish so circles for me. preferably in line, not offset. Also remember not to set the hook, just engage the drag and let the hook do the work. This can be weird for people who are not used to it.

Released J hookAttachment 16611

Double JHook canned with jalapeño Attachment 16612

For me, it depends on the size bait, the expected avg. size gamefish I plan to catch and whether I plan to only keep larger specimens.
On any given day, going out "blind", I would start out with circle hooks.
If dealing with "pinhead" anchovies, I carry size 8 Mustad 9174 hooks (I don't think there's anything close to it with the same strength and size).
For really large baits and fish (150lb+ YFT/BFT) I like the Mustad 9671SS (cold forged) hooks.
I also like them on ALL my jigs (if they're not already so equipped) and I use them exclusively on ALL my trolling jigs.
FFY :sifone: