Thanks Stanley!! Unfortunately I don’t live near any good Pike lakes. I used to catch them quite a bit when I lived up north a long ways back. They were a blast to catch. 👍
Good info I have been using an 8/0 hook for strippers for over 20 years and I have no problem catching fish. I catch everything from small fish to giant bass on a big hook and catch big fish, unlike my friends. Most fishermen are still into using the tinny hook game, and they are missing the big game and even my friends are still in the tinny hook game. The thing about using a bigger hook is the fish gets hooked if he tries to spit the hook out and but most fish have no problem eating a hook this big and who wants to catch small fish anyways.
Can you please tell me which Owner Tournament Mutu Circle hook you recommend for surfcasting chunks of bunker? I see they have regular and light versions. I am targetting striped bass and bluefish. I didn't want to buy the wrong ones. Thank you!
What's a good size for casting frozen clam bait off the beach for striped bass? Also that link you posted is 32 bucks and it says "1 count". That's an expensive hook.
DANG! Gotta change that link. I would personally use An 8-9/0. Get rigging thread to wrap a lot of clam belly on the hook so you can cast hard. Baitholder hooks are the best for keep clams on, but you need circle hooks now. They don’t make bait holder circle. Let me know how it works out for you!!!
Thanks for all the great information. It’s easy to see you know ow what you are taking about and a lot of veteran waterman wouldn’t let this info out so easily. Thanks for helping those looking to learn.
As always another killer video I just watched cast nets and was wondering about hooks and lo and behold there it is thanks this Spring I will be using a lot of techniques that you have taught me . Thanks again appreciate all the info . Keep those videos coming Can't wait to hit the water
They are sharp hooks. I used them for years and was never thrilled with my hookup ratios. I’ve tried everything from increasing offsets, decreasing off sets, all different knots and snells. And I never reused them. The Mutu are from a totally different solar system then Gamakatsu. Honestly, the most valuable improvement I’ve ever made in my fishing career brother!! And I’m not even sponsored by Owner 😂.
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS Thanks Mike. I had already ordered some Mutus before I posted the question. Will be trying them with small eels and chunks cut bait for Stripers! Please keep the videos coming!
Nice video. Thank you for posting. I would like to know if the Mustad Ultra Point circle hooks size 5/0 is good for Stripers surf/bank fishing? Thanks.
Thanks. It’s a great hook in the Demon circle. The size of the bait is the biggest factor for hook size. I use really big chunks or whole Bunker most of the time so I use 8/0-10/0. Always go one size up with a circle
Thanks for information on hooks. I am using anywhere from 18”-24” skipjack herring, and I let them swim free on a balloon rig. Where do you recommend I place the hook on the bait if I want it to swim away from me and the boat? When are you announcing the winner of the rod?
If you are anchored and want the bait to swim away from the boat, hook the bait behind the dorsal fin towards the tail, but not too close to the tail. Once casted out apply just a slight pressure on the bait turning its tail towards the boat, continue to apply this pressure (while in freespool) and the bait will swim away. Once bait has reached the distance you want away from boat you can stop with the pressure... if for some reason the bait swims back to the boat, just tighten back up on the bait and turn his head back away and let him swim out...The natural reaction of the bait is to swim away from pressure, but also having the hook towards the tail you are "steering" the bait away from the boat.
Yep, Murraymaker has got it. Also, if you want the bait on the surface hook on the top of the tail behind dorsal fin, and near the anal fin to swim down.
Kaleb is going to announce the winner live on Facebook this weekend. You don’t have to listen to win, he will draw and I will contact the winner in the comments 👍👍
Awsome video like always Mike good topic I've played the hook game for years myself lost alot of fish love to fish hate to killem inline circle way to go
Another quick question, when you say light wire for the mutu. They sell a Mutu light and a regular Mutu. Which do you prefer for larger stripers 50+ pounders, eeling.
I have broke circle hooks before on big rock fish, i now use a gamakatsu 4x octopus. I can see where a lighter wire hook will give the bait a better action. Have you compared the daiichi circle chunk to a 4x gamakatsu? I just dont have faith in light wire circle hooks anymore.
I can honestly say I have broken a few Gamkatsu’s but NEVER broke any of these other brands. Lighter hooks bend and flex, but they normally don’t snap. Gamakatsu excluded-I won’t use one ever again. Too many defective ones get out.
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS Thats what ive broke is the regular octopus. Ill have to try some of the Daiichi. Biggest last year was 60lbs even, hopefully we can top that. Best of luck and thanks for the info.
Do you recommend a bridle for saltwater adult bunker free swimming live lined circle? If yes what size & stye hook. Also keep reel locked or freespool? thanks!
Awesome video, way to promote inline hooks for both the angler and the fish! Mike, would you recommend the tournament mutu light for live eels (thinking 6/0) or another hook?
Hey brother, have you ever had one of your 7/0 mutu light circle hooks straighten out? I was looking into the regular mutu circle which is 2x strong but the biggest for that model is size 6/0. any help or thoughts? thanks! Love the vids
I’ve never had anything ever happen to the MUTU light hooks, but I don’t use high drag settings normally and I don’t use braid. I had a guy email me pics of a few points getting bent over. After a little investigation I found that he uses braid which is a big no-no for baitfishing with a rod left in a rod holder. He was also losing some fish. Need that stretch. Need mono for bait. If you use high drag settings the Daiichi hooks are the strongest I’ve ever seen.
Mike Smedley thanks for replying and yea I normally fish higher drag settings with braid, I will try the regular mutu circle which is x2 strong this season in mtk and I’ll get back to you with the results !
I use MUTU lites, but am down to number 2 for 4-5 inch baits and number 1 for 6-7 inch baits, 1# for gizzards. It's usually clear water, but I think the baits just swim better with smaller than normal hooks. Inline straight shank but SNELLED. The snell can work to snap the point into the mouth. Do a test.. Snell a straight shank (Line to the rod on the barb side if that makes sense. VERY important) then run your fingers down the line and just over the shank. What happens to the hook point (be careful)? It turns toward the business part of the hook. I don't slack line fish any longer so can't say how it would act there.. Probably a good idea to Polomar knot those.
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS 1 for 6-7" alewives baits. 1/0 for gizzards. I am sure I get more hits on the smaller hooks and I haven't noticed as many misses. I've had a few 2's bend or straighten, but I'll live with it if I get more chances. I'll up the size one each in the spring when they are really slamming hard. Line size matters as well. I am on 17 pound Floro leaders for planer boards and 20 for down rods. I may try 17 on down rods next year using the striper stealth rods. They are a game changer and the bend may allow for a drop in leader size. I've also noticed that my baits do not turn on the hook as easily when using down sized hooks so I've been able to stay away from keepers more often. That's another huge plus. Fish sized up to 36" with 26" average.
Duayne Barr Wow. 36” fish on a size 1 and 2 Circle. I have caught 60lb catfish and other big fish on tiny hooks, but they always swallowed it. Big fish on a tiny circle hook👍Just goes to show, there are many ways to hook a fish. Thanks for the comment brother.
