Brand/size circle hooks for flies?

[boba]

I've observed the effectiveness of circle hooks for baitfishers and wonder which brands and sizes people find most effective for tying striper flies. I usually use Mustad 34007 or 011 hooks, size 1/0. What size circle hooks would produce comparable size flys?
Also, how do you sharpen the darn things? I usually triangulate the hook points and they are easy to resharpen on the beach. The circle hook points I've seen all had a bend to them right on the point.
Thanks,
boba

So much water, so little time...

[Adam-Albino]

At this weekends tying "clave" on the south shore, I tied a couple of flies on circle hooks (Gami's, and Mustad) as an experiment. Then someone (not sure who) asked "why bother with circle hooks for FF?". I couldn't give a good answer. Most agreed that they could count on one hand how many "gut" hooked fish they've had FF. I think for this type of fishing its not necessary (?). Barbless regulars are just fine.
Oh, and I hated the way the flys came out - to much hook for such a short shank...
<IMG align=baseline alt="" border=0 hspace=0 src="http://photos.netclubs.com/live/photos/v/9/t/2/t2c710a3839h31nr004cfcdhuo/flyman2.gif">

[Tom Kelly]

Enrico Pluglisi was tying with them at the fly fishing show.He was using a Mustad circle hook made just for fly tying.Though he raved about them I have to agree with Adam.How many fish do we gut hook using regular type hooks while fly fishing?

[bassman]

I agree...Not only that but I have heard you don't strike with circle hooks...Could you imagine not striking a fish with a flyrod!?!?!??!?!....

[FishHawk]

I too have never gut hooked a striper while flyfishing which I do 100% of the time. However, some of the fish have taken the fly quite a ways down their mout especially
the early Spring schoolies.

[jefff]

The reason for using circle hooks for flyfishing is not necessarily to prevent gut hooking fish although they can lessen the damage to a fish by hooking the fish in the lips not somewhere else in the mouth. One of the major reasons to use circle hooks is once hooked up the hook holds much better. The short shank and "cirle" to the hook holds very well. How many times has a striper, especially a larger one thrashed on the surface dislodging the hook. By the way I have never used a true circle hook but I have bent a modified one. My experiece is that I miss a few more fish on the strike. I think I strike too quick instead of letting the fish take the fly. The fish I do hook generally stay hooked better with the bent hooks better. I would like to hear from anyone who has used true circle hooks.
Jeff Faulkner

[marvin]

<P><FONT color=blue face="Times New Roman,Times" size=2>I've tied a few flies on&nbsp;the Gami Octopus circle for bigger flies, and the Owner Mutu Lights for small ones.&nbsp; Both really sharp hooks right out of the box.&nbsp; I eliminated the offset on&nbsp;the hooks, feeling that it might tend to defeat the purpose somewhat.&nbsp; As to results, I <STRONG>finally</STRONG> managed to overcome my reflex to strike when I felt a fish take the fly, after pulling the fly out of many fishes' mouths.&nbsp; If I just let the line tighten up, <STRONG>then</STRONG> apply&nbsp;more tension to the line, it seems to work fine.&nbsp; Every fish I took on the circles was lip hooked- and securely.&nbsp;&nbsp; Probably the biggest negative is that it's really hard to stick these things into a regular flybox- the point just isn't where you need it to be- and I refuse to buy a bunch of those boxes with those clip things that hold the hook behind the bend.&nbsp; Now, if I could just find the inserts for those boxes........&nbsp; </FONT></P>
<P><FONT color=blue face="Times New Roman,Times" size=2>Marvin</FONT></P>
<P><FONT color=blue face="Times New Roman,Times" size=2>Disclaimer: I didn't do enough fishing for this to be a real test- hopefully next season will allow more research :-)&nbsp; </FONT></P>

[danarm]

I have used the Owner Mutu Light circle hooks in size 2 and 1 for 6 or 8 months now for juvenile tarpon. The hook-up to strike ratio is amazing compared to the one or two jumps the fish gave me with conventional hooks before they spit them. They work great on snook and cudas too. Hook sets itself right in the corner of the mouth. I tie both subsurface and foam poppers with them and have been very pleased with the results. Nearly all my fly-tying has been moved to these circle hooks.

[boba]

Thanks for the replies. I would like to try them, especially for those spring schoolies which really do swallow the flie deeply.
boba
So much water, so little time...

[johnkelly]

Try standing on the west wall for 6-7 hours and getting only one crack at an albacore. You've been lulled to sleep by hours of non-stop casting, then bang you get a hit from an albie on your 1000th blind cast while looking at the pretty sailboat cruising by. If your fishing with a circle hook chances are you won't blow your one chance to hook-up because you were'nt paying attention. Circle hooks are extremely effective for hardtails. Fished N.C. this fall with a buddy of mine who never caught an albie before. He went 7-for-7. If that is not enough to convince anyone to at least try them, I don't know what is. I have a killer pattern I call the "Millstone Minnow". E-mail me at jkma@gateway.net if you would like the recipe.

[RavellingTangle]

If you don't want to go the whole hog, Varivas (and other makers) now do a "half-circle" hook.

Still hooks well in the scissors or top lip, not so good at avoiding gut-hooking (not that that matters much for fly) and a good shape for tying a curved body ( a bit like a "grub" fly hook).

I think they're no better than 'proper' circle hooks for fly fishing, but they are better for worm fishing ( --127-3- oops ! there I go again ! upsetting Dame Judith !) because the bait doesn't obstruct the point-to-shank gap so much

[ChemFly]

I've been using circle hooks for the past 5 years and I continue to tye more and more patterns with them. I find that the Daiichi and Gamu's are excellent products, very sharp right out of the box.

Why circle hooks? They work well when dredging big flies on sinking lines, especially when you have some scope in the line. It's hard enough to feel the hit when you have 60 ft of 450 grain line hanging off the boat- so take advantage of the tension and stip-strike with a circle hook. Secondly, I like circle hooks for hi-tye patterns for albies and bluefish. Last but not least: For you kayakers, trolling circle hook patterns can save the day. I know-blasphemer! (#$119)
--126-3-

[Jim Miller]

I just don't know?
This spring while fishing a big herring pattern tied on a Gami Circle hook, I just couldn't get attached to the fish. Granted I was able to see the fish follow (sometimes 4-5 fish) and I probably pulled the trigger too fast on some......But I do think that if it had been a standard hook....I would of been tight to a lot more fish! More than a few times I saw the fly disappear in the bass's mouth....only to reappear without a hookup! --124-3 :mad:

[capemike88]

Saddly I gut hooked a 26" striper on a barbless 14" Mack pattern today, got it out without to much bleading, revieved it and off he went, looked strong but who knows?

Mike

[ChemFly]

A slow strip-set is all that is required for stripers. Blues and Albies like it hot and heavy. Yes, I do get a few head butts and bumps from stripers but nothing more then on standard hooks.

Every fish that I have hooked on circles have demonstrated perfect corner placement of the hook in the fishes mouth. No gut/gill/or throat hooking. They are a breeze to remove when the barbs are crushes- especially when wading or in a kayak. Strip-n-set, that all it takes! Perfect for fly rods. --127-3-