Circle Hooks and the Proper Handling of Striped Bass

How to Reduce Striped Bass Mortality Using Circle Hooks and Proper Handling

Prepared for the

Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association

by Donald A. Smith

In Cooperation with the

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Janet L. Coit, Director

We Love To Catch Stripers

Recreational fishing adds $160 million to RI’s economy annuallyIt is the backbone of RI’s charter fishing industryRecreational fishing accounts for hundreds of jobs in RI

Here Are The Statistics On Released Striped Bass

Did You Know That on a National Level in 2008:

We released about 11.8 million stripersWe harvested about 1.2 million stripersApproximately 1 million of the fish we released diedThat means we killed almost as many fish as we keptThe bulk of the damage is done by recreational fishermen

Here’sThe Statistics On Striped Bass Removal From The Population In 2008

Source: ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Technical Committee, 2009

We Need To Reduce Striper Mortality To Insure An Abundant Population

What Can We Do To Reduce Striper Mortality?

We can use circle hooks when fishing with live and natural baitsWe can learn proper handling of fish to reduce stress and injuryWe can modify our lures to reduce injury to fish from treble hooks

What is a Circle Hook?

The point of a circle hook is generally oriented to be perpendicular to the shank. In some circle hooks the point is pointed down towards the bend. The entire hook is rounded and the shank is shortened.

Circle Hook “J” Hook

Where Did They Come From?Archeologists note that 90% of ancient fish hooks found in museums today are circle hooks.They were carved from bone and shellOur hunter-gatherer ancestors depended on circle hooks to hold the fish until they could be brought to handThey were lost to more modern production methods because J hooks were easier to make

They were rediscovered by the Australians around 1900 because they didn’t hang up when fishing the Great Barrier ReefIn the 1960’s the commercial long line industry began using circle hooks because they were efficientThey were largely ignored by recreational users until the 70’s when halibut and tarpon anglers started using themCircle hooks are now mandated in many big game fishing tournaments

How Do Circle Hooks Work?

Circle hooks are designed to prevent the exposed barb point from puncturing internal organs if the hook is swallowed. Fish swallow the baited hook and begin to move away. The movement pulls the hook from the throat, decreasing the chance of gut hooking. As the hook shaft begins to exit the mouth the shape of the hook causes the shaft to rotate towards the corner of the mouth and the barb embeds in the corner of the jaw

Diagram Of How Circle Hooks Work

Just How Good Are Circle Hooks?

They will improve your hook up rate to 90 to 95%They almost completely eliminate gut hooked fish and reduce fish mortalityThey make it easier to release a fish unharmedBecause of their shape they reduce the chance of a clumsy fisherman hooking an ear or finger

Studies Show Circle Hooks Reduce Mortality By More Than 50%

STUDY AND DATE MORTALITY RATE USINGCIRCLE HOOKS “J” HOOKS

Massachusetts, Caruso, 2000 3.0% 15.5%Maryland, Lukacovic, 1999 0.8% 9.1%Lukacovic, 2000 1.9% 8.7%North Carolina 2001 5.9% 18.2%Lukacovic, 2002 0.8% 7.4%

Studies Also Show Circle Hooks Are Effective

STUDY AND DATE HOOK TYPE TOTAL FISH HOOK LOCATIONCAUGHT MOUTH DEEP FOUL

Caruso, 2000 CIRCLE 60 97% 1.5% 1.5%“J” 58 60% 24.1% 15.5%

Lukacovic, 2000 CIRCLE 640 96.6% 3.4%“J” 476 82.8% 17.2%

Lukacovic/Uphoff, 2002 CIRCLE 90 81% 19%

Lukacovic, 2002 CIRCLE 173 93.4% 6.6%“J” 260 83% 17%

How Do I Use Circle Hooks?

Circle hooks come in a variety of sizes - match the hook size to the type fish you are afterYou can leave the spool engaged or the bail closedLeave the drag set at normal fighting positionLet the fish take the bait and it will hook itselfAnd remember the most important thing ……

CRANK, CRANK, DONDON’’T YANK!T YANK!Just reel the fish inDo not try to set the hook – you will pull it out of the mouth of the fish

Here’s a few examples of how well circle hooks work for striped bass.

The fish were caught on 6/0 circle hooks using live eels

Fishermen Peter Vican and Don Smith have been using circle hooks for more than 10 years and swear by them

State Record Striper

Caught by Peter Vican in July 2008

76 lbs. 14 oz.

Tournament Striper

Caught by Don Smith in July 2009

51.0 lbs.

Kevin Robishaw – 40 lbs. – July 2009

Kevin Robishaw

July 2009

Russell Crossman

38 lbs.

Michael Moore, Jr.

August 8, 2010

Don Smith

38.6 lbs.

What Else Can I Do To Reduce Fish Mortality?

Eliminate treble hooks on luresFlatten the barbsUse heavier gear when the water is warm to reduce fight timeNever gaff a fishNever put your hands in the fish’s gillsUse a dehookerUse a boga type grip to handle small fish and a cradle for bigger fishHandle the fish properly

Eliminate Treble Hooks

Cut hook off at base of shankHook will remain in good position when using lureLess damage will be done to fish

Lure with one hook cut off each set

Flatten Barbs On Hooks

Barbs were made to hold bait on hookFlattening barbs makes for better penetration of fish’s jawA flattened barb makes hook removal easier

Use Heavier Gear In Warm Water

There is less oxygen in warm water so fish tire quicker in a fight when hookedStepping up to a slightly heavier rod and reel will reduce fight timeFish can then be released safely and “floaters”eliminated

Do Not Gaff Fish

A gaff punctures the fish and causes injuriesUse a fish “Boga type” grip to hold fish in order to remove hookIt is best not to remove fish from the waterUse a net or cradle to lift fish if it has to be removed from waterCover fish’s eyes with a wet towel to keep fish calm

Never Put Hands in Fish’s Gills

Fish breathe by having water pass over gill filamentsTouching them removes bacteria that protects The gill filamentsFish will most certainly die from infection

Use A Fish Dehooker

Dehookers come in different lengthsYou can remove the hook without removing fish from waterHooks can be removed without injury to fishThey can be easily mastered with a little practice

If You Have To Remove A Fish From The Water Handle It Properly

Never lift a heavy fish out of the water using a “Boga type” grip – you can injure their lower jaw Use a net or cradle to bring the fish on board

Cover their eyes with a wet towel to keep them calmSupport fish with one hand under their stomach when putting it back in the water

Conservation Is Our Responsibility

If all of us pitch in we can reduce the death rate of released fish and improve our fish stocks to get the maximum yield from our quotas.

That way we can enjoy fishing today and insure good fishing for future generations.

And remember -

Using circle hooks will keep the bass coming around

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The End