Circle hooks for panfish?

[Questor]

Have you tried using circle hooks for panfish? I want to try a hook that reduces the incidence of deep hooking. What size works well for bluegills and yellow perch when using worms or nightcrawler parts?

Do they really reduce the number of deep hookings?

Thanks.

[Scott M]

They used to be used in MinnAqua programs so the kids wouldn't gut hook so many fish but that really didn't do anything. If the fish is sucking on the bait too long, it will still ingest it. The equipment is only as good as the fisherman.

As far as sizes, I would go 6 or 8...depends how big the gills and perch are I suppose....

[Jex]

I helped out on a Girl Scout program where we used the MinnAqua rigs and was very impressed with the circle hooks. While not fool proof they did cut down considerably on the throat hooks. I was so impressed with them that I put them on my kids rods.

[Questor]

Jex:

Do you recall what brand and size you were using?

There has been research on them for bluegills and the results are mixed depending on the study.

One study concluded that they were no better than J hooks at preventing deep hooking. Another study concluded that they prevented deep hooking, but did permanent damage to the fish 22% of the time by hooking them in the eye. Another study concluded that they significantly decrease deep hooking. I think size and configuration of the hook probably had a lot to do with these study results.

[Jex]

Sorry, I don't remember the brand/size. The stuff is at the cabin so I will try to get the info for you this weekend.

[Timrek]

I have used the #6's some and I get the same problem with them sticking the fish through the eye. Maybe I am using to big a hook. You might want to try something smaller. I think mine are eagle claw, got them at Gander Mountain they come in some good colors too. I have found that the gills love the small 1/64 or 1/32 size jigs in the pain led wit the red hook. Northland makes them. I put a small plastic on there and usually do pretty well and hardly ever have to worry any more about them taking the hook to deep.

I have had some luck to recently wit the small fly fishing popper type flies. Put them on with a casting bubble to get them out there and they seem to like it.

[Jex]

Q,

I have been using VMC brand hooks in size 6 for my kids rods. I am pretty sure that I got them at Gander Mtn.