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It's a problem guys and gals don't often want to talk about. It
is often associated with beginners, but sometimes manifests itself
in older, experienced persons. When it happens, it is usually accompanied
by anguished moans, expletive deleted outbursts, the throwing up
of hands, the slumping shoulder, the hang dog look, the embarrassed
grin, the loss of words. All are symptoms of this terrible affliction.
Dreaded PR
I am speaking, of course, of the dreaded Premature Release. The
inability to hold onto a hooked fish. All of us have this curse
at one time or another, but certain anglers are much better at it
than others. The premature release shows up in spades in our rivers
and oceans, which have the single, barbless hook, restriction. So
terrible is this feeling of loss that anglers vow to take up other,
less frustrating sports, like golf.
Circle hook
However, help is on the way. What commercial halibut and tuna anglers
have known for years, is making its way to your tackle shop. We
are talking about the circle hook. If you haven't seen circle hooks
before, your immediate reaction will be, no way, it's impossible
to hook a fish with that weird shape. I felt that same way many
years ago, when I took some circles out to try for halibut. Reports
and studies had me semi confidant in their ability to both hook
and hold.
My companions weren't so sure, in fact they thought I had lost it.
John was the ultra skeptic and just kept shaking his head as I tried
to explain the science behind the design. We dropped our jigs and
started the drift. The first bite came immediately, and when I did
not set the hook but waited patiently, it drove my buddies crazy.
"Set the hook, set the hook" they screamed. "No,
you have to let the fish set the hook" I explained. John rolled
his eyes. I waited as the line rolled off the large halibut reel
five meters or so. Now I started to just simply reel in the line.
No setting of the hook with a violent cross-their-eyes motion, but
just a tightening of the line. Fifteen minutes later the 20kg. halibut
was tied up to the boat. "Just luck John."
And again
The next halibut sacrificed his succulent white flesh perhaps 20
minutes later. "Well that is my limit, it is time to quit."
The rest felt great and John and Curt continued to jig. Bites were
plentiful but hookups were scarce, actual landings were non-existent.
John reluctantly turned to me and said "You might as well fish,
you are the only one landing anything."
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE
for your convenience)
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"I have lots of these circle hooks John, sure you don't want
to try one?"
"Nope these J hooks have always worked for me." Okay.
We were allowed two halibut each, and all six hali's that day were
landed with the circle hook. The next day, two more were added to
the cooler. Finally John asked to borrow one of the circle hooks.
I couldn't resist, "Why John, they can't possibly work."
More than halibut
Most halibut anglers now will use nothing but circle hooks. Their
use is now spreading to other species of fish. Tarpon anglers are
reporting much reduced long distance releases. Salmon fisheries
are showing major improvements in release survival rates, and there
is strong support for circles in selective hatchery fisheries, to
help cut down the accidental hooking of fish. Guides are noticing
less impact on released fish and higher landing success.
Major manufacturers, Gamakatsu and Eagle Claw are adding to their
circle hook roundup. Last year the Gamakatsu Barbless single hook
had many anglers verifying the effectiveness of the modified circle
design for river salmon and steelhead. Eagle Claw has the largest
selection of circle hooks for every type of fish.
Sockeye
I used the Eagle Claw # C71SS streamer hook for sockeye. There
were no foul hooks and most fish were landed. One hook was bent
with a particularly wild fish but I was pleased with the results.
If foul hooking is deemed to be a problem in certain selective fisheries,
circle hooks will be the solution.
Sharpen those hooks
Circle hooks are one of the remedies for the long distance release.
Sharp hooks are the other, single most important thing you can do
as an angler. It is amazing how few anglers have a hook file, let
alone use it. Hooks should be sharpened in a four cornered diamond
pattern. Strokes should be towards the hook. Every time you make
major contact with the bottom, the hook should be checked for sticky
sharpness.
The line is our direct connection to the fish and is extremely
important. Cheap line is usually a waste of money. Use premium line,
check it often for abrasion and nicks, retie your knots often and
keep that line tight with a smooth, properly set drag and you will
cut your chances of the Premature Release.
More of Bob's photos on the Photo
page
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