Circle hooks loop knot?

[Chrisper4694]

I've been using circle hooks for fishing bait for a while with great success. I don't use bait a lot but mostly for hybrid goober fishing and ice fishing tip ups. I've always snelled the circle hooks to get the best hook angle.

I just saw a whole Thing about tying circle hooks on with a loop knot...anyone ever hear of this? I loop knot flies and some jigging lures, but it doesn't seem to make sense to tie a circle hook with anything other than a snell.

[acabtp]

i never use loop knots. i don't like the idea of the line banging around into the corner of the hook eye.

[Jigman13]

Improved clinch, palomar and double improved clinch for line 80 lb plus.

Anytime I'm fishing where I have to drive a hook home I avoid circles...like when ice fishing. Can't really point the tip up at the hole and lock down the spool lol

[Chrisper4694]

Improved clinch, palomar and double improved clinch for line 80 lb plus.

Anytime I'm fishing where I have to drive a hook home I avoid circles...like when ice fishing. Can't really point the tip up at the hole and lock down the spool lol

personal experience...i've never had a problem, seriously! You just wait a little, pinch the line and let the fish hook itself. I won't say i never miss a fish but my hookup ratio isn't 100% with octopus and j hooks either. I maybe miss 1-2 every 15-20 chances...about the same as with other hooks.

you have to do it right, proper sized circle hook, in-line (not offset, although sometimes i can't find the inline and have to wait for an internet order), and you HAVE to snell it to get the angle!

that's why i posted this about the loop knot for circle hooks...i thought it was weird and i don't really want to try it haha. was hoping someone else has already!

[Mikey topaz]

Sounds a little strange where did you see that chris? Me personally i use circle hooks for chunkin tuna and sharkin otherwise i do just fine with octopus a d j hooks. Skunk had circle hooks on all his tip ups last year and had great success HE LOVES THEM!!!!!!!! Loves em so much he changed to octopus this year lol

[Jigman13]

Lol...

But like mikey said, I think they make more sense for things like tuna and shark fishing where, when a fish takes a bait, you can point that rod tip towards the water, engage the drag on the reel and crank with steady pressure to allow the circle hook to do its job.

[Chrisper4694]

this is not a question about circle hooks! I have great success with them on tip ups. I was just wondering about the loop knot connection with them.

I put some of my tip ups very far away and deep hook many many more fish with regular hooks by the time i get there vs. inline circle hooks. I just pick up the line, get a feel for what the fish is doing and apply pressure and the fish hooks itself in the corner of the mouth 9/10 times (and that 1 time it doesn't is probably my fault). protects my line from the fish's teeth allowing me to use lighter leader.

anyway, i can't find the article but here's a video i just found of this guy explaining why to only use loop knots for circle hooks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeQRvK-LjgE

I've always used a snell knot because that's what i've always seen and that's what makes sense with the line coming out of the eye towards the point to get a good angle.

[jimmythegreek]

Ive read that it helps w the hookup ratio on circle hooks by leaving the hook free to do its thing and grab the corner of the fish's mouth. I get the theory and it prob does work better, but I use regular hooks thru the ice and havent had a prob gut hooking anything. Most pike/pickeral are in the corner of the mouth anyway and even when Im not paying attention I never have gut hooked fish.

[Chrisper4694]

i never use loop knots. i don't like the idea of the line banging around into the corner of the hook eye.

I've never lost a fish with line breakage from this. It would be very obvious cause you'd be left with the knot and two little tags where it broke. The loop knot is a must for finesse lures like flies if you ask me.

I've had such good hook up ratio with Snelling the circle hook I'm hesitant to try loop knotting them, but maybe eventually I'll try it

I can't believe I'm the only one with circles on my tip ups...

[catfishonthelake]

You will get better hook-up rates using circles with a loop knot. Try this one...it's called the tarpon knot, but can be used with any diameter line. It's easy too, you can master it in about 5 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s2Qnc64Q3Q

[Chrisper4694]

ok now i'm interested, i'll have to tie up some loop knots with my circle hooks! that's a cool knot. stronger than the perfection loop take it?

[catfishonthelake]

ok now i'm interested, i'll have to tie up some loop knots with my circle hooks! that's a cool knot. stronger than the perfection loop take it?

Not sure of the strength comparison...but it's used for tarpon which is about as tough as it gets. Just happens to work with any diameter line. Thought it was cool so I started using it.

[briansnat]

I tie my hooks with a palomar. I can see how loop knots such as the Rapala knot can work for increasing action on a hard ure, but I really don't see an advantage when fishing a shiner or other baits on a hook.

[Capt. Lou]

Some years back when Hatteras & OC had stunning inshore Tuna runs we experimented with loop versus non loop on chunking rigs . This was strictly bait fishing , no real clear cut winner emerged . We caught literally 100's of Tuna up to 200 #'s with both rigs about dead even over several very hot tuna fishing years, in fact some of the best inxhore I've ever witnessed !
The loop I used was predicated on the size leader some where crimped others I used the nail knot loop !
I also believe certain lures should always be rigged with a loop knot especially swimmers / darters , freshwater I prefer the uni loop, big game crimp or nail knot loop , the uni excels in lite lines , some say it will slide & at tee it does on the likes of tarpon , but on smaller hardly ever ! Even if it slides so what nothing occurs , just tightens up on eye ! In fact if u prefer a straight tie a double loop nail knot is as strong as the LR knot for big fish on bait
Both simple to tie & when tied correctly u will not loose a fish to knot failure !

[Chrisper4694]

I just thought of a potential problem using a loop knot on a circle hook for fish with teeth. As the hook is sliding out of the mouth I'm picturing the loop snagging on a tooth...

[Capt. Lou]

Keep loop small , no issues with teeth !! Loops in plugs etc
can be larger , never witnessed personally what ur saying on toothy critters around the world !
Includes Cuberas , Kings etc ! Toothy critters most move to schocks .

[ReelErIn]

You will get better hook-up rates using circles with a loop knot. Try this one...it's called the tarpon knot, but can be used with any diameter line. It's easy too, you can master it in about 5 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s2Qnc64Q3Q

Hey Catfish I like it thanks for sharing the link I'll use that set up on Tarpon in May.

[Delawareriver]

I've always snelled my circles as well but could see where a loop would help the circle move into the right angle.

And for all the guys questioning the effectiveness of circles on tip ups. They work either apply steady pressure while the fish is taking line to let the hook do its job, or loop a ruber band on tip up line about 10ft up from the depth you wanna fish, then loop the rubber band around the tip up spool. Wind up the tip up to your depth and set the tip up. That way the fish sets off the flag runs about 10ft and the catches the rubber band which adds pressure hooking the fish, if it's a better fish they will break the rubber band leaving it free to take more line with breaking the line. Also a good way for finicky trout and other species that tends to spit the bait. If you don't get to your tip up fast enough

[catfishonthelake]

Hey Catfish I like it thanks for sharing the link I'll use that set up on Tarpon in May.

Enjoy!

Where are you tarpon fishing in May?? I'll be down in Marco in May for 5 days for tarpon. I can't stop thinking about it.

[gwl2oneida]

As I was just getting into ice fishing 2 yrs ago, I wa instructed by Mr Topaz to snell circle hooks onto my tip ups. I change floro leader every season n have had zero issues with this set up.

[Gerry Zagorski]

You will get better hook-up rates using circles with a loop knot. Try this one...it's called the tarpon knot, but can be used with any diameter line. It's easy too, you can master it in about 5 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s2Qnc64Q3Q

Like this knot a lot and seems easy to remember

[Rickhem]

Thanks for posting that Tarpon Loop Knot.
It looks easy and doesn't require weird tools or a third hand.
Good fish karma to you!

[catfishonthelake]

Thanks for posting that Tarpon Loop Knot.
It looks easy and doesn't require weird tools or a third hand.
Good fish karma to you!

My pleasure!