[snakeeater]

Just curious...in your experience, which hook seems to work best in the surf for whiting, pomps, etc? I started out using #4 Kahle hooks and have had a good bit of luck with 'em. I'm wondering what other folks use...I normally use a 9 ft ultralight rod spooled with 8 lb line and a single hook carolina rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz flat lead weight depending on the wave action. I don't like the multi-hook rigs for the simple reason that I don't want a loose hook flopping around when I'm unhooking a fish. I've tried both pink shrimp fishbites and dead shrimp, having about the same results on both. If anyone uses something different, I'd like to hear what you think...

 

[AbuMike]

Owner Mutu Lite circles..

 

[Fatback]

Owner Mutu Lite circles..

x2

 

[kraus]

Khales #'s 2 and 4 mainly

 

[flathead]

Depends on your style. If you're one of those who likes to " jerk " on a bite to set the hook you're better off with the Kahles by a long shot. Jerking with the cirlces results in more missed fish. I tie bottom rigs for my wife with the Kahles but only use Kahles myself for Carolina rigged live baits. I prefer the owner mutu lights in #4s and #2s for the species you mentioned.

 

[Dr. Bubba]

Owner Mutu Lite circles..

Good success with those.
Also Eagle Claw Laser Sharp circles #L197

 

[pmcdaniel]

I use 2x long shank Eagle Claw #4 hooks on most of my double drop rigs and also like the Eagle Claw pre-tied Pompano rigs with kahle hooks. Both seem to perform about the same on smaller surf fish in my experience. Most of the time the rods are spiked, and they hook themself right in the lip. I do have a pack of small circles, haven't tried them yet. If I am using larger bait targetting bigger fish I use circles.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

I too started out using #4 Kahle hooks - and slowly leaned towards the circles.

my favorite is the #1 or 1/0 Owner Circle

 

[Fishman]

Kahle hook to me is a circle hook for a flounder. This would be the only time I might us a kale hook. I have used the for black sea bass offshore.

 

[surfchunker]

if you are holding the rod and want to set the hook Kahle, spiked rod it's Owner Mutu Lite circles #4 all the way

 

[andypat]

x2

x3

 

[Fish'n Phil]

The #4 Owner circles are awesome!

 

[twidpa]

Are you guys snelling the Owner Mutu Lite circles? If so is the main line toward the inside or outside?
T

 

[AbuMike]

Are you guys snelling the Owner Mutu Lite circles? If so is the main line toward the inside or outside?
T

Nope, simple Uni knot connection.

 

[Fatback]

Nope, simple Uni knot connection.

x2

 

[twidpa]

Uni knot it is. Thanks.
T

 

[HStew]

main line to the inside and leave the gap open

 

[SeaPA]

if you are holding the rod and want to set the hook Kahle, spiked rod it's Owner Mutu Lite circles #4 all the way

Question on this point. Am I missing fish if I hold the rod and set the hook with circle hooks? It's easier for me to let a 4/0 5/0 etc circle hook sit, soak, and wait for the fish to hook itself because at that hook size we are talking drum and bigger fish. However, in my recent switch to smaller circles on RR or double drop rigs, I find myself reverting to my old habits of setting the hook. It's so hard when getting what I could call nibbles or small bites to let things be until the fish is obviously hooked on the circle. It seems to me if it were that easy everyone would set it and forget it. Do you guys literally drink beer until the rod starts dancing? Someone correct me here.

 

[surfchunker]

Question on this point. Am I missing fish if I hold the rod and set the hook with circle hooks? It's easier for me to let a 4/0 5/0 etc circle hook sit, soak, and wait for the fish to hook itself because at that hook size we are talking drum and bigger fish. However, in my recent switch to smaller circles on RR or double drop rigs, I find myself reverting to my old habits of setting the hook. It's so hard when getting what I could call nibbles or small bites to let things be until the fish is obviously hooked on the circle. It seems to me if it were that easy everyone would set it and forget it. Do you guys literally drink beer until the rod starts dancing? Someone correct me here.

setting the hook with a circle hook jerks the hook out of the fishes mouth causing missed fish, they are designed to hook themselves

 

[River]

Continue drinking beer till the rod bends or the line goes slack, sometimes the fish grabs the bait and swims in, the line goes slack but you still don't have to run for your rod, dragging the weight will set the circle hook ....