Favorite Shark Hooks & Setting the Hook

[JCSHEPHE]

I think I finally have all this figured out thanks to 2CoolFishing. I am very ready for my trip down to the coast.

A few last questions:

You can find find and you can find bait, but if you cant get the proper hookset you are no better than not finding the bait or finding the fish.

With this being said I have always used J hooks in either a single or tandem rig. I always leave my reel set in the holder with the lightest drag possible without the current and waves taking out the line. When a shark hits I generally freespool it for about 20 seconds, let them suck it down and then hardcore set it a few times.

I am unsure if this method will work in the waves and seaweed in TX. I am thinking that the drag has to be fairly tight for the current and waves not to take line out?

How many of you use circles and how many use Js?

With a circle are you literally just using the same drag setting for hookup as you are when fighting the fish and letting it set itself upon strike? Or are people using J hooks and doing the same thing I do?

For those of you that use circles are you just using one massive circle? Where do you get a circle with a gap wide enough to accomodate a BIG OLE sharks mouth? Do you offset them or bend them to make the gap wider?

How are you attaching a big bait slab to a circle hook and are short strikes a problem? Does anybody bridle the bait to leave the hook exposed?

OR once again do people just use J hooks like I have in the past?

Thank ya!!

[surfguy]

I started using circle hooks 2 yrs ago for everything I fish for including sharks. I've had more hookups, less break-offs and don't really worry about the drag setting too much. Most of the time, the waves, current and weed will bring your line in rather than out and determine your drag setting. Use a decent size spider type weight to keep your bait where you cast it or drop it with a yak. The beauty of the circle hook for sharks is they will try to swallow the bait but won't get gut hooked because the circle will slide right out of their throat and hook the corner of their mouth with any force applied on the line. I always do a "finesse" hook set just to make sure before i start reeling. Whatever hooks you use, pay attention to where the hookup is and I think you will be convinced circles are the way to go. They comes in all sizes.

[surfisher]

x2 on that surfguy circle hooks are they way to go especialy the surf you would really be suprised what a10-12 0/0 hook would catch. i have landed at least 40 lb bull reds and some nice 5' sharks.

[troutless]

I use Mustad 16/0 circle hooks and usually a large bait this helps to keep the slimmers off most of the time.

[surfisher]

my big rigs will run min 17/0 and up and yes those bigger baits will keep those slimmers off .

[fishing-guru]

I'm also thinking of trying circle hooks on the surf, but last time I went out, they all ran the line towards shore. What is the best way to handle this problem?

[Rawpower]

Originally Posted by surfisher

my big rigs will run min 17/0 and up and yes those bigger baits will keep those slimmers off .

Listen to surf fisher! He knows what he’s talking about.

[railcar]

16 and 20 circle hooks is what I use for sharks and redfish . If they run towards the beach the weight will set the hook for you most of the time.

[troutless]

I don't know what type of weight you were using, but don't forget to set your spider weight so that it wound roll with the current.

[surfisher]

also in order of setting your weight you need to bend the spiders out and then theends up that will allow your weight to set in the sand.