Call for mandatory circle hook use

[David Churbuck]

<FONT face="Courier New" size=2><P>RECREATIONAL FISHING ALLIANCE CALLS FOR PHASE-IN OF MANDATORY CIRLE HOOKS IN STRIPED BASS BAIT-FISHERY</P><P>The Recreational Fishing Alliance today called for the phase in of mandatory circle hooks for anglers using bait to target striped bass. </P><P>"We believe that enough study of this issue has been done that we can now begin to take the next step to implementation. The standards for what constitutes a circle hook and how to implement their use into regulations</P><P>should be developed as soon as possible. This will not be easy and it will take time and careful consideration," said James Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA.</P><P>Recent studies, such as the one conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, show that using circle hooks instead of standard "J" hooks significantly reduces the release-mortality rate of striped bass. </P><P>Michael Doebley, Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs for the RFA, explained some of the details: "The RFA offers to serve as a liaison between recreational anglers and each State's enforcement division. However, as a first course of action, we ask that RFA affiliated and other</P><P>independent angler's organizations support us on this position. We will ask states designated as producer areas to incorporate the mandatory use of circle hooks for bait fishing into regulations governing spawning areas</P><P>during the periods when striped bass are present for spawning." </P><P>"We realize that not all anglers prefer to use circle hooks," said Captain Jack Ferrara, RFA's New York Chairman, "but there is mounting concern that</P><P>the striped bass are not reaching their full size and age structure. By beginning to implement the use of circle hooks now, we can significantly reduce release-mortality and help avoid future season and bag restrictions," said Captain Jack.</P><P>The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is a national 501(c)(4) non-profit</P><P>political action organization whose mission is to safeguard the rights of</P><P>salt water anglers, protect marine, boat, and tackle industry jobs, and</P><P>ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation's marine fisheries. </P></FONT>

[fishbuster1]

I want my money back.

[Soundking]

Fishbuster- are you kidding! How in the world can you be opposed to using circle hooks! The lip-hook the vast majority of fish, and being a tournament fisherman the have a 99% hook, land ratio. Also they greatly reduce mortality. So what would you rather do, switch from j hooks and catch more fish or destroy you children's children's fishery.

[fishbuster1]

I am not opposed to using circle hooks. I do on occasion use them. What I am opposed to is a group that I have given money to in the past, and probably will not again, supporting legeslation or proposing that circle hooks be MANDITORY. I do not want my money spent that way! Next are they going to try to make it MANDITORY that we not use trebel hooks on our plugs. I think there are far mor important things that they should be fighting for with our money.

[idm99]

Nothing if not consistant with your "me against the world" twisted logic

[Justintime150]

I have been fly fishing for most of my life, but this is a
relitvly short time because I em 20 or so. I have seen
many things come and go. I think circle hooks have a
place. However, there is mutch room for improvement.
I would like to see legislation on barbless hooks, like in
many trout streems. Most of the damage done to a fish
is when a barb rips out tissue with it.

[ryan1900]

Most of the fisherman in the world is using circle hook for using. I don't think so that there is some ecological issues in using circle hook. If any one opposes this circle hook usage may be they don't have much knowledge about fishing.

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Ryan
Wide Circles (http://www.widecircles.biz)

[pogiefisher]

Fishbuster- are you kidding! How in the world can you be opposed to using circle hooks! The lip-hook the vast majority of fish, and being a tournament fisherman the have a 99% hook, land ratio. Also they greatly reduce mortality. So what would you rather do, switch from j hooks and catch more fish or destroy you children's children's fishery.

I hate circle hooks, one reason im a commercial fisherman who fishes dead and live pogies, i use treble hooks and i dont miss to many fish, ive tryed using circle hook and they are more for catching smaller fish, treble hooks are great for hook setting which is important when fishing lager bait such as pogies. When im fishing pogies i dont plan on catching anything under 34 inches, so i dont care if the fish swallows the hook.

[Capt.ChrisLembo]

I am all for circle hooks on fish with a mouth shaped for their use. Stripers, Grouper, Snapper, Amberjack, Cod all will benefit as far as release goes.

As far as Billfish go that is another story. Their mouth is different and circle hooks do not hook up very well. They also swallow just as many as most live or dead baiters now realize that you pretty much have to let them eat it and freespool until they have almost s#*t it out. Otherwise you will get a bad hookup in the flesh of the mouth that will tear on a good pull or twist and tear on a few direction changes.

On top of that if they want to make it mandatory then we will need some cheaper options. As a charter capt I tried using circle hooks exclusively but it is just way too expensive. I would go through 30-40 hooks per 1/2 day due to losing them in this order. 1) Gut hooked and can't remove (Still gut hook plenty of fish) 2) Cut offs from toothy fish. 3) bottom snags 4) broken barbs and points

$20 per day on hooks alone is way too expensive.

[baldwin]

Everyone's in favor of conservation measures...as long as it doesn't affect THEIR choice of methods. I've seen bait fishermen gut hook loads of schoolies on sandworms and toss them back to unknown fates. Circle hooks are shown to be effective at hooking, and reduce mortality dramatically, when used correctly. Trebles on lures aren't nearly as damaging as bait fishing. With lures and flies, we set the hook when we feel the take. Many people let fish swallow bait, often intentionally, before they know if the fish is legal sized, and even if they intend to release. It's hard to set the hook while using small bait such as sandworms before the fish swallows it. I'm not against bait fishing, just of the opinion that the method should use equipment that best protects the resource.

[NMB]

treating the mandatory use of circle hooks as some kind of civil rights issue is emblematic of the the self destructive and self centered attitude of many of us who fish for fun. the unwillingness to make reasonable adjustments and changes will give currency to PETA and other such organizations. the result of such narrow thinking will eventually end with eliminating bait fishing all together, except for commercial fishing when the consumer market demands an end to sport fishing which is killing too many fish. it's already the law in many countries where they try to protect the fishery and consider fishing with bait as unsporting.

[Onshore]

I'll second what MNB just said.

[jhook]

Will I have to then change my name ?:confused:

[hatidua]

Most of the fisherman in the world is using circle hook for using. I don't think so that there is some ecological issues in using circle hook. If any one opposes this circle hook usage may be they don't have much knowledge about fishing.

No offense, but that's quite likely the most ignorant fishing related post I've ever seen. I travel to the tune of over 400 hours in commercial airliners per year to remote spots all over the planet in the pursuit of fishing and tropical related photos. To say that most fishermen in the world use circle hooks isn't only inaccurate, it's downright absurd.

I'm totally fine with a circle hook rule but pushing the cause by saying that "most in the world already use it" is a blatant falsehood.