Are Circle Hooks Good For Striped Bass

Circle hooks or a similar type of hook used for catching striper with live bait.

Are circle hooks good for striped bass. Required to use inline circle hooks when fishing for striped bass in massachusetts with whole or cut natural baits. Our final option here is one of the best hooks for striped bass. Here is a copy of the ma regulation. I say that because it works well at preventing them from gulping it due to the unique hook shape.

Visit www mass gov marinefisheries for more information. Effective next year 2020. Soaking bait works but the biggest issue some anglers have is timing when to set the hook. You can do your part to help the striped bass stock recover by reducing catch and release mortality.

A circle hook is defined as a fishing hook designed and manufactured so that the point of the hook is not offset from the plane of the shank and bend and is turned perpendicularly back towards the shank to form a circular or oval shape. Since inline circle hooks will soon be required by law i figured now would be a great time to start talking about my 1 most favorite type of circle. Striped bass anglers not fishing on for hire vessels must use in line circle hooks when targeting striped bass if using whole or cut natural baits. Some fishermen swear by them and in some areas it is even require that you use them because they are apparently less dangerous for the fish.

Learn how to use a circle hook when fishing for striped bass. A circle hook is designed to prevent gut hooking and has been proven to reduce release mortality in many fish including striped bass. When fishing with natural live bait or cut bait for striped bass use in line circle hooks to help protect the fishery. Recreational anglers are required to use an in line circle hook when fishing for striped bass with whole or cut natural baits.

In 2019 atlantic striped bass were declared overfished. The problem with the hook is that it doesn t leave a whole lot of space for your live bait so it s problematic at the same time as being helpful. This reg was put into law to help reduce the mortality rate of stripers caught on bait since the use of circle hooks greatly reduces though does not eliminate a bad hook up swallowed hook or hook in the gills. Using circle hooks for striped bass by jack naves when striped bass make their fall migration from the bay into the delta using bait is a great way to put fish into the boat.

Supposedly they are supposed to look in the corner of the lip more easily and help you to have less fish that get away.