🪝 Circle Hooks Explained

Circle hooks have transformed bait fishing, especially for catch-and-release. The point curves back toward the shank, so instead of hooking the gut, the hook slides to the corner of the jaw and sets there as the fish turns away.

Why use them: far fewer deep-hooked (gut-hooked) fish means much higher release survival — vital for kob, sharks and other pressured species. They also hold brilliantly once set in the tough jaw hinge.

How to fish them — the golden rule: do NOT strike. When you feel the fish, simply lift the rod and start winding steadily, letting the fish's own movement drive the hook into the corner of the mouth. A hard strike pulls the hook straight out of the mouth. This takes discipline if you're used to striking.

Sizing and rigging: match the gap to the bait and target — 4/0–6/0 for kob, 8/0–12/0 for sharks. Leave the point and gap clear of the bait so it can find the jaw. Non-offset (in-line) circles are best for release.

Give them a few sessions to trust the 'don't strike' method and your hook-up and release rates will both climb.