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sturgeon hooks size and type


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Well i am experimenting with hooks for sturgeon rigs .

i have tried circle sizes from 4 to 6 and regular octopus sized 4 to 6.

And was wondering what others have used the good and bad ones any advice would be appreciated

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Circle hooks- period.

I've NEVER gut hooked a sturg since switching over to circles and had plenty of gut hooked ones over the years before the switch. They hook and hold great. The size of the circle depends on the size of the fish I'm targeting. Last time I was at Rainy I had mostly 7/0-9/0 so I could put on plenty of bait and have a thick wire hook in case of a large one. Down here on St. Croix I usually use 4/0- 6/0.

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Ditto. 4/0-6/0 circle hooks are the only way to go. Took some getting used to, but every single time, without fail, they're hooked perfectly. Another benefit I've noticed, is that with regular hooks when you get a bite, set the hook & miss, you usually strip the bait off & have to reel up & rebait. I can't tell you how many times I've "set the hook" (just reel in a few feet with circles) missed the fish, let it sit & a few seconds later the fish finds the bait again and it's fish on!

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+1 on the advice already given.

I also opt for a bigger size 6-7/0 mostly to get more bait on.

Gamakatsu Octopus Circles are my favorite, but recently found a cheaper alternative at Bottom Dwellers Tackle (essentially the same hook at a lower price).

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+1 on the advice already given.

I also opt for a bigger size 6-7/0 mostly to get more bait on.

Gamakatsu Octopus Circles are my favorite, but recently found a cheaper alternative at Bottom Dwellers Tackle (essentially the same hook at a lower price).

Dtro, how many do you go thru to have to resort to buying cheapos??? grin

I exclusively use these as well, but I will pinch the bar of all of them. getting these hooks out of a sturgeon with the barb is a PITA. Pinch that barb off and you won't lose a fish. Doesn't even need one.

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Thanks everyone for all the advice its been helpful.

one problem i was having with the circle hooks was i was missing fish cause they would spit the rig before i could sweep the rod tip they are just hard for me to get use to cause you don't set the hook like normal

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Honestly i never sweep the rod tip. I just reel fast. Once the rod is doubled over i give it a little jerk (Probably unnecessary).

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