Owner Mutu Light Circle Hooks
By: Michael Uleski

            The circle hook has become a very popular word in the fishing industry today. Believe it or not but it’s also been around for thousands of years. Recently it’s made a major resurgence into the tackle box for anyone that fishes bait of any kind. This has really come about by two factors; on the conservation front they greatly improve the release survivability of any fish, and secondly they are very effective in hooking fish.

            Circle hooks are designed to auto-rotate in the fish’s mouth allowing for a hookup near the edge of the mouth. For a test take a paper towel tube, a length of line and a circle hook. Tie the circle hook onto the line with a good loop knot. The loop knot increases the hooks ability to rotate and I strongly suggest going with a loop such as a Homer Rhode loop knot. Drop the hook and line into the paper towel tube and slowly pull the hook out at an angle to the paper towel tube simulating a fish picking up a bait and then turning to move off with it. Once the eye of the hook clears the top of the tube you’ll notice the wonderful feature as it automatically rotates and then penetrates, locking onto the tube. This is something to remember when using any circle hook, DO NOT SET THE HOOK! A fast jerk will make the hook clear the fish’s mouth without rotating.

            When circle hooks began to become more common in the recreational fishing industry they were mainly targeted to offshore fishing. The hooks were large and of heavy wire that were made for hooking large ocean fish. This left a gap where many fishermen knew of the effectiveness of the circle hook but could not find one in a size more suitable to smaller fish.

            Owner has filled that gap with its line of  “Mutu Light Circle Hooks”. Finally an inshore fisherman free-lining a live shrimp has a hook that allows for a natural presentation, yet still gives the great advantages of the circle hook. They are available in two colors, red and black. Personally I’ve always used the black style and have had no problems with them at all. Lately red hooks have been becoming more and more popular and I’m sure they also would work very well.

            The black style is available in sizes 6 through 5/0 and the red can be found in sizes 6 through 1. They also come in two forms; a pocket pack containing anywhere from 8-5 hooks and a pro pack that is a bulk amount. Prices for the pocket packs start at around $2.50 and $13.50for the pro pack. These hooks are extremely sharp right out of the package and do not require any type of sharpening.

            I’ve been using these hooks when targeting many game species and have only encountered one gut hook that occurred on a slot redfish that completely swallowed the shrimp into it’s stomach and the hook set inside it’s stomach. The line was clipped and the fish swam off strong. All other hook ups have been right in the mouth. I’ve also found that they have another advantage of if a fish hits but does not get the bait the first time the bait is left in the general area due to no hook set to pull it away. This usually gives the fish a second chance at the bait.

            I strongly recommend a circle hook to anyone that is fishing bait, be it live or dead. It’s not only a very effective way to hook fish, but also provides for a much easier release on the fish.