Just picked up a pack of size 6 gamakatsu octopus circle hooks. Super excited to try them out. I respect a fisherman that tries with extreme care to preserve the fish they intend on releasing. That's why i switched to circle hooks
I'm definitely going to switch to circle hooks. I was just searching to see if you could use them on bluegills and I found your video. Thanks for the great info.
Appreciate the info. Just recently got back into fishing now my kids are old enough, been trying to find ways to avoid the gut hooks and I've heard circle hooks are better. Thanks for the demonstration.
Thanks for this video. Game changer for sure. Got some Mustad Demon inline circle hooks size 6. Caught 10 bluegill today to test and was thrilled with results for catch and release. Minimal trauma to fish and all mouth only hook sets. I also crushed the barb down too.
Thanks for the great content it was direct and to the point well explained, I see that you leave what looks like about an inch to an inch and a quarter of worm hanging below the hook, by doing this do the gills steal the worm and not take the hook Thanks Edgar from Michigan
I use this when I take my girls panfishing. I make the "kid rig." Bobber, no weight and circle hook. By the time the fish is pulling the bobber its got the hook in far enough to not miss it, but no gut hooks thanks to the circle hook.
First fish I ever caught was a whiting on a spoon with a circlehook. Honestly I wish there were more ways to rig a circle hook for bass so people don’t guthook them as often! If I had a way to Texas Rig a circle hook I would!
I bought some Mustad #6 and 8 circles some years back and use them for poppers for Gills. Had some dolt tell me once they don't make them small enough for Gills and they wouldn't work anyhow if they did. Just a lot of dolts out there that just don't think because they're incapable or too lazy to take a few seconds to look. They're really fun to use as on my 10 and 14' rods.
Thanks! That’s a great compliment. No, I don’t have anyone helping. Virtually everything you see on my channel has been self filmed and self edited. It is a lot of work to get all the angles and underwater footage but super rewarding! Thanks again.
Is there any Gamakatsu Octopus Hook Circle Size 10, or the smallest size for circle hook? I can't find them on store and I need it because at my place most bluegill/ perch/ talapia are not cut with size 6 hook like you use in this video.
man i hate how blues or suns always swallow deep so fast but i was not sure they made circle hooks small enough for them, smallest i got is a size 2 ,might still be a bit big
@@ARCSTREAMS hey, for hook size, single digit numbers are arranged 1 being the biggest and 8 being the smallest. If it's a backslash, (1/0) then it's arranged the opposite, with 1/0 being the smallest and 8/0 and up being the biggest. The backslash numbers are always sizing for the larger hooks where the single digits are for medium to super small hooks. So the size arrangement from smallest to largest would look like this: 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, 9/0. Hope this helps. I use a 6 J hook for pan fishing but they always get gut hooked so I'm looking to switch to circle hooks.
@@l.r.s.4580 thanks for some reason i got a bit confused but yeah i remember now but also i never dealt with odd size hooks till recently ,i usually use size 8 and size 4 octopus but i been experimenting with size 2 and 2/0 circle hooks which are not always working the way they should be despite my using them properly i still sometimes get deep sets instead of on the lip
ok first of all you answered a question i had about using these hooks with bobbers,i was not sure you could,thought they are mostly for bottom fishing, second i notice you are setting the hook pretty fast upon the bite ,well i can do that with j hooks and still get a lip set ,i thought the whole point of these hooks was that even if you give time for the fish to swallow you can still pull it out safely and lip hook it , also thought that the rod needs to but horizontal to the fish till you feel the tension then slowly bring the tip up 90deg and set the hook but you seem to be fast setting like you are using j hook?
Yes, they work great with bobbers. I typically set the hook with a circle hook by just keeping my rod tip up and reeling down on the fish. Some of those hooksets might be a little fast but it’s hard to break the old habits of setting the hook with J hooks. Lol. Yes you can let the fish take the bait longer but if I can see the fish and it’s totally gone in it’s mouth I don’t see the need to wait any longer.
@@calebwistad ok because ive tried using them on bobber and i let the fish take it a while then slowly set but it either get spit out or it hooks deep in the mouth like the roof or palate instead of the lip and other times it works if i set it sooner so idk anymore about these things but yeah sometimes i vertical visual fish for perch, damn things eat so quiet sometimes and you do not feel a bite even if line is tight so i juts set when i see it take the bait
@@dylanclay2741 well as i said ive tried using them on bobber and i let the fish take it a while then slowly set but it either get spit out or it hooks deep in the mouth like the roof or palate instead of the lip and other times it works if i set it sooner so idk anymore
@@ARCSTREAMS if you're fishing for bluegill or other panfish try Owner mosquito circle size 4 that's what i use and they work great , always hook in corner of mouth or lips. Generally give them about a second or so then start reeling . If you wait too long then yes they will spit it.
Just tie them as you would for the other hooks,they make them down to #10. I have tied my own in #6 an 8 and made many into poppers that work great and I don't fly fish.
I’m guessing you are using offset circle hooks. If you are using offset circle hooks there will still be some fish that get hooked deep, although not as many as with j hooks. If you use a true in-line circle hook it is very rare to hook one deep.
@@LifewithJames The true inline circles are hard to find in smaller sizes. Most of the Gamakatsus you see in the store are offset. Here is a link to some inline circles that you can get down to size #4 which should work for panfish. amzn.to/4faj1e1
Yes, you just have to make sure the plastic is something the fish is going to hold onto and take all the way in it’s mouth. Something small and scented/flavored.
I currently fish Gulp Minnow under a float while jigging, would I need to do anything different if I swap the aberdeen hook for circle hook? Also, is it harder for the fish to unhook themselves with circle hook? I had a few fish that would shake themselves free while I'm reeling them in. Thank you for your input in advance
I would say just to make sure the gap is buried well and the hook is parallel to the bait with the hook point facing backward, if that makes sense. I can send you a pic if you DM me on Instagram or Facebook (same name) also, yes, exactly, circle hooks are very hard for fish to shake once they are hooked!
Definitely in-line if you are planning on catch and release. Offset will work if you don’t mind a couple deep hooked fish here and there. Still better than a J hook though.
Just picked up a pack of size 6 gamakatsu octopus circle hooks. Super excited to try them out. I respect a fisherman that tries with extreme care to preserve the fish they intend on releasing. That's why i switched to circle hooks
Excellent! They really work well. Just remember to simply reel down and DONT SET THE HOOK!
We tried circle hooks today and wow night and day difference will never go back to J hooks for panfish great tip and thank you!!
I've always used circle hooks for catfish, but didn't know how effective or practical they would be with bluegill. Thanks for the demonstration!
Thanks, yes, they work incredibly well on many different species.
I'm definitely going to switch to circle hooks. I was just searching to see if you could use them on bluegills and I found your video. Thanks for the great info.
Awesome! Thanks for checking it out. I also have another video using circle hooks for crappies here: ua-cam.com/video/iArZmVt90sk/v-deo.html
Appreciate the info. Just recently got back into fishing now my kids are old enough, been trying to find ways to avoid the gut hooks and I've heard circle hooks are better. Thanks for the demonstration.
You bet!
Thanks for this video. Game changer for sure. Got some Mustad Demon inline circle hooks size 6. Caught 10 bluegill today to test and was thrilled with results for catch and release. Minimal trauma to fish and all mouth only hook sets. I also crushed the barb down too.
That’s awesome! Great to hear it worked for you.
Thanks for the great content it was direct and to the point well explained, I see that you leave what looks like about an inch to an inch and a quarter of worm hanging below the hook, by doing this do the gills steal the worm and not take the hook
Thanks Edgar from Michigan
You bet! No issue leaving a little dangling. Makes it appear more natural.
I use this when I take my girls panfishing. I make the "kid rig." Bobber, no weight and circle hook. By the time the fish is pulling the bobber its got the hook in far enough to not miss it, but no gut hooks thanks to the circle hook.
Perfect setup!
What size hook?
What size hook you using on the kid rig?
Great video, definitely live the idea of not hurting the little ones being released too! What size hook?
Thanks! I was using a size 8 with the crawlers.
First fish I ever caught was a whiting on a spoon with a circlehook. Honestly I wish there were more ways to rig a circle hook for bass so people don’t guthook them as often! If I had a way to Texas Rig a circle hook I would!
Yeah. I’ve used them with Senkos before and they work for bass.
My dad used to take thin wire hooks and bend them into a circle hook shape like twenty years ago.
That’s crazy! Cool!
Great video. Look like the Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni!
Thanks! And I’ll be danged. I do kind of look like him. 😂
Great underwater footage!
Thanks, I was pretty happy with it. I’m hoping to get more this summer but it’s a lot harder when the fish aren’t so anchored!!
Good job never used those hooks for bluegill
Gotta try them out!
I bought some Mustad #6 and 8 circles some years back and use them for poppers for Gills. Had some dolt tell me once they don't make them small enough for Gills and they wouldn't work anyhow if they did. Just a lot of dolts out there that just don't think because they're incapable or too lazy to take a few seconds to look. They're really fun to use as on my 10 and 14' rods.
I bet! They work great for me too.
For me I like bank fishing no boat or kayak, so what can I do? love all bank fishing videos. Fish On
I have quite a few shore fishing videos my man! I love fishing from the bank. Check this one out: ua-cam.com/video/dVaJe_ttr-0/v-deo.html
Great video!
Thanks!
Great video. Liked and Subscribed.
Thanks! Always appreciated.
@@calebwistad No problem. I will be starting a channel soon, focusing mainly on panfishing and bass in SE Tennessee.
Amazing camera angles. Do you have help making these videos ? Really well edited too !
Thanks! That’s a great compliment. No, I don’t have anyone helping. Virtually everything you see on my channel has been self filmed and self edited. It is a lot of work to get all the angles and underwater footage but super rewarding! Thanks again.
Is there any Gamakatsu Octopus Hook Circle Size 10, or the smallest size for circle hook? I can't find them on store and I need it because at my place most bluegill/ perch/ talapia are not cut with size 6 hook like you use in this video.
They make size 8 but that’s as small as they make them. Here is a link for the size 8s. amzn.to/346orqo
@@calebwistad Thanks for the link, hookedupwi
Owner makes a size 10 . I think the owner 8s are bigger than the gamagatsu 8.
@@mikewest712 is it a circle hook?
man i hate how blues or suns always swallow deep so fast but i was not sure they made circle hooks small enough for them, smallest i got is a size 2 ,might still be a bit big
I usually go with a 4 to an 8. Depends on the bait size.
@@calebwistad are those smaller than a 2?
@@calebwistad hello?
@@ARCSTREAMS hey, for hook size, single digit numbers are arranged 1 being the biggest and 8 being the smallest. If it's a backslash, (1/0) then it's arranged the opposite, with 1/0 being the smallest and 8/0 and up being the biggest. The backslash numbers are always sizing for the larger hooks where the single digits are for medium to super small hooks. So the size arrangement from smallest to largest would look like this:
16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, 9/0. Hope this helps. I use a 6 J hook for pan fishing but they always get gut hooked so I'm looking to switch to circle hooks.
@@l.r.s.4580 thanks for some reason i got a bit confused but yeah i remember now but also i never dealt with odd size hooks till recently ,i usually use size 8 and size 4 octopus but i been experimenting with size 2 and 2/0 circle hooks which are not always working the way they should be despite my using them properly i still sometimes get deep sets instead of on the lip
Thank you for explaining the hookset.
Absolutely man! It takes some getting used to but works magic.
ok first of all you answered a question i had about using these hooks with bobbers,i was not sure you could,thought they are mostly for bottom fishing, second i notice you are setting the hook pretty fast upon the bite ,well i can do that with j hooks and still get a lip set ,i thought the whole point of these hooks was that even if you give time for the fish to swallow you can still pull it out safely and lip hook it , also thought that the rod needs to but horizontal to the fish till you feel the tension then slowly bring the tip up 90deg and set the hook but you seem to be fast setting like you are using j hook?
Yes, they work great with bobbers. I typically set the hook with a circle hook by just keeping my rod tip up and reeling down on the fish. Some of those hooksets might be a little fast but it’s hard to break the old habits of setting the hook with J hooks. Lol. Yes you can let the fish take the bait longer but if I can see the fish and it’s totally gone in it’s mouth I don’t see the need to wait any longer.
@@calebwistad ok because ive tried using them on bobber and i let the fish take it a while then slowly set but it either get spit out or it hooks deep in the mouth like the roof or palate instead of the lip and other times it works if i set it sooner so idk anymore about these things but yeah sometimes i vertical visual fish for perch, damn things eat so quiet sometimes and you do not feel a bite even if line is tight so i juts set when i see it take the bait
@@ARCSTREAMS when the fish takes it hold the rod tip up and just start reeling. Your hookup ratio will go way up
@@dylanclay2741 well as i said ive tried using them on bobber and i let the fish take it a while then slowly set but it either get spit out or it hooks deep in the mouth like the roof or palate instead of the lip and other times it works if i set it sooner so idk anymore
@@ARCSTREAMS if you're fishing for bluegill or other panfish try Owner mosquito circle size 4 that's what i use and they work great , always hook in corner of mouth or lips. Generally give them about a second or so then start reeling . If you wait too long then yes they will spit it.
@hookedupwi do you unbarb the Circle hooks?
No, I leave the barb on.
Just your reminder for everyone to check legal keeping size for your state I can't keep gills unless there 12 inches plus
Wow. That’s a big gill! No minimum size here.
I fly fish for bluegills. What do you recommend for size hook if it would be a fly pattern.
The smallest circle hook I’ve been able to find is #8. I’m guessing that would work for some flies.
Just tie them as you would for the other hooks,they make them down to #10.
I have tied my own in #6 an 8 and made many into poppers that work great and I don't fly fish.
you fillet them or fry whole ? how do you cook em
I fillet them. Here is my favorite recipe!
ua-cam.com/video/v9-9qAvlYpo/v-deo.html
I wonder how many to keep for dinner
I usually keep around 10
I tried circle hooks yesterday and still had two fish swallow the hook. What am I doing wrong??
I’m guessing you are using offset circle hooks. If you are using offset circle hooks there will still be some fish that get hooked deep, although not as many as with j hooks. If you use a true in-line circle hook it is very rare to hook one deep.
@@calebwistad I’m using the gamigatsu (Or whatever they’re called) brand. I was running a small pencil type bobber and no weight.
@@LifewithJames The true inline circles are hard to find in smaller sizes. Most of the Gamakatsus you see in the store are offset. Here is a link to some inline circles that you can get down to size #4 which should work for panfish. amzn.to/4faj1e1
What bait are you using to catch bluegill?
It’s hard to beat a half crawler. Small leeches work really well too.
Can you fish plastics with circle hooks
Yes, you just have to make sure the plastic is something the fish is going to hold onto and take all the way in it’s mouth. Something small and scented/flavored.
what size circle hook you using
6s or 8s if I can find them.
What knot were you using?
The best knot to use with and octopus circle hook is probably the snell knot but I’ve used uni-knots with great success as well.
I hate when I use long shank hooks intended for panfish and they still swallow them.
Yes. Me too!
What size hook are you using?
I’m using #8 Gamakatsu octopus hooks for these bluegills.
@@calebwistad thanks!
I currently fish Gulp Minnow under a float while jigging, would I need to do anything different if I swap the aberdeen hook for circle hook?
Also, is it harder for the fish to unhook themselves with circle hook? I had a few fish that would shake themselves free while I'm reeling them in.
Thank you for your input in advance
I would say just to make sure the gap is buried well and the hook is parallel to the bait with the hook point facing backward, if that makes sense. I can send you a pic if you DM me on Instagram or Facebook (same name) also, yes, exactly, circle hooks are very hard for fish to shake once they are hooked!
What size do u use
#6
Offset or In-line hooks?
Definitely in-line if you are planning on catch and release. Offset will work if you don’t mind a couple deep hooked fish here and there. Still better than a J hook though.
@@calebwistad Thanks! I'm having trouble finding smaller in-line circles. Yes, it's catch and release with my 3 yr old.
@@kalamity273 Just bend the offset hook back inline. I bend a lot of inline hooks so they're offset because I can get the inline a lil cheaper.
Look like Nick Siriani !!!
Dude. You are probably the 10th person to say that now. 😂
6 or 6/0?
#6….6/0 would be very large.
9:50 you're welcome 🙄
That’s where the info is. 😆
@@calebwistad lol yep
catch fillet and release lol
I do a little of both!
circle hook no good, the fish get outs easily, no worquing🐟🐟🇩🇴
Works for me! Sorry it hasn’t for you.
What size hook do u use? And which rod is that?
I use #6 for bluegills and #4 for crappies. I believe that rod is a 5’6” ultralight Cabelas brand.