Circle or J's ????

[greg1]

Alright guys. I know this has been debated 1,000 times, but I'm leaving tomorrow and I can't find the exact threads with a search right now.

Is there anything super important I need to know about either.

Thanks a lot for all the info so far.

-Greg

[Capt Ted]

10/0 offset jhook.. sharpen the hell out of it.


I haven't tried circles yet, but have been doing VERY well with the offset jhooks in squids..

Live bait might be a good idea on the circle...

[Tuna Devil]

:shock:

[Disco Lady]

:shock: CONO!!!!!!! :shock:

[Disco Lady]

:shock: CONO!!!!!!!!!! :shock:

[Tuna Devil]

D.L.,


What are you doing up this late? I thought I would sit back and watch the Fireworks.


Who am I kidding I am going to bed. This mountain air makes me sleepier than wating for a bite @ 3 a.m.

[The BEAST]

I have used Owner 9/0 SSW inlines, Jobu 8/0-10/0, and regular Mustad 3407 9/0. I wish Owner would make a circle somewhere in the middle of the SSW and the Gorillas. I like the circles for doing what they do best... hooking in the corner of the jaw. It makes a solid hook up, longer fight, but fewer pulled hooks... and a releasable fish. No gut hooks.

I've caught fish on them all! It is personal preference. The beauty of these fish is when they eat... they EAT!

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[Relentless33]

when they eat... they EAT!

The sword we cut open tonight had about 8 squid in his stomach. 3 Were in near perfect condition and the rest were nasty, but still may have been whole in his stomach at one point.

[Liquid Swords]

Like Capt. Ted said, I also think an offset J hook is best for dead bait and a circle (16/0-18/0) would be best for live bait. Just cut one of the fins in the tail of a live bait. Top or bottom; doesn't make a difference. It makes it easier for the sword to catch. Hope this helps. Let us know how it went. :salut:

[LHPfish]

cono means?, i forgot to ask a long time ago

[Tuna Devil]

Originally Posted by LHPfish

cono means?, i forgot to ask a long time ago

LHPFISH,

Go to this link it will explain. http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/f...shing5266.html

[Relentless33]

Don't worry..........

It's all in the http://www.shrimpcastnettingfromadus...elproshops.com

[Disco Lady]

T. D Take care up on the Hill. CONO!!!!!!!!!! :

[Tuna Devil]

Originally Posted by Disco Lady

T. D Take care up on the Hill. CONO!!!!!!!!!! :

D.L.,

I hope you are still going to Cat.

I would love to see the pic of the slob you are going to get. \/

Does not seem to be much of a bite up here. irat:

And to be productive, I still have not caught enough quality Swords on rod and reel to be willing to F%#@ around with circles. Although in theory they should work like champs. But the feild study will not happen on my dime. [-(

[RiskTaker]

Just Say Ño.

Yah Mon. My new catchy phrase that works well in most situations. I learned it in Jamaica, Mon. .... Although I still cannot understand Patua very well. May need to ask Trinidad Johnny for some interpretations from time to time. But I got the "Ya Mon" down pretty good. Ya Mon...... Ño.

Oh, what about Circle hooks versus J-hooks. Here is a sample picture of a few hooks:

One is a traditional offset J-Hook (Not sure if it is an L-P but it is very close look to it. 9/0 About a $1 ($.50 if you buy a big box and up to $2 retail). Notice that it can start rusting pretty easy after a few uses. That one needs to be sharpened before being set out with a bait.

Another is a Stainless Steel Mustad (N0. 7691S) 10/0 J-Hook. The point is fairly sharp out of the box. It goes for about $5.50 retail. Since I do not have a preference for Circle hooks and it seems that off-set is more effective for the kill, I may put these SS hooks in a vice and off-set them myself, in the same direction as the L-P style. (Maybe offset side can make a difference, maybe not, so I just followed the production example.) I like them because they may set in a slaty bag for weeks and still stay squeeky clean. A good hook for the casual and salt-water abusive angler.

Another is an Owner Jobu Big Game hook - 10/0. This is a superior hook to all others in terms of quality workmanship: the tip is specially cut such that it has a particularly sharp and reduced (cross-section at the piercing section. The loop of the hook is also welded shut. This is a high-tech, super sharp and super strong hook in a black chrome finish. The example in the photo happens to be a ringed hook. (Ringed-hooks - Not as popular on the East coast but there is a large following for circle hooks on the West coast - Pacific side). I would prefer this hook for big tunas; although, I will use them for swordfishing too since I have a few in the box. Although I may be favoring the cheaper L-P hooks, if I keep losing hooks to sharks or other lost hook mechanisms. The ringed hooks go for $7.50 and the regular about $5.00 for small quantities and about $4 for 100 boxes, retail.

Another is an Eagle Claw Lazer sharp Circle hook. The hook shown is a 20/0 hook. You may typically use a larger size Circle style hook than a comparable J-hook. I have not really used circle hooks to-date, although I do not think that I would be too happy to rig a 16/0, 18/0, 20/0 in a squid rig. A live bait set-up would be fine though.






If your budget is tight, the standand steel J-hooks will do the job, and you won't be complainin' Mon, when the shark cuts you off. Out of the box they are sharp enough. But after a little corrosion sets in, you need to sharpen them, more so than the other hooks. (But always check your hooks to be sure they are sharp no matter which ones you choose.) Ya Mon.

P.S. - If the day ever comes that I am catching too many undersized/ or released fish where the J-hooks are obvious "life endangerments" to the fish, I may start to lean towards Circles. But not until that day. If it is mandated by regulation, I propose a J-Hook rebellion, at least for recreational anglers. (Refer to Whiskey Rebellion if you don't understand the J-Hook Rebel comment.)

[Relentless33]

Thats why you sharpen it then cover the tip with permanent marker mon :lol:

[Tuna Devil]

RT,

In your first pic top right, Giant killer, Not to say we have not caught a couple of Swords on that hook (12 Odd Owner style). Like I said before the way the Swords seem to eat the circle should work like a champ.


I hope someone will let us know. :shock:

[Disco Lady]

T.D It looks like Cat. is over this year for me. Boat's back home but going to Bimini, on the 15-20 july for snappers take care Bro!!!!!!!!! :lol:

[greg1]

Thanks for all the tips. Although it didn't matter. We got one, but he wasn't even hooked. He managed to lasso (sp?) himself with the leader. We were lucky to hold on.

48". All we needed. These steaks should last us for a few weeks, then we may go look for another.

[Relentless33]

Congrats

48 inches in on the small side though :cry: