TT, great time this year’s sockeye run! I use Nautilus Light 4/0 hooks, debarbed. During the first spike of Reds, I tied them as usual with the leader coming down through the eye. For the second spike, I tied them straight on like i would a non-circle hook. I have to say that tying them on straight seemed to give me better hook-ups, less “light-switch” fish. I understand that having the leader lead down makes circle hooks work better with bait, as with catfish for example. But maybe the straight tie on gives a better angle when fly drifting/flossing? Anyway, I welcome feedback and opinions on this issue. I plan to experiment more next year.
Well, I pre-tied my circle hooks with the egg loop, as it seems to do the same thing by pulling through the eye of the hook, as well as, tying the older version of your fish-n-fool knots. All packed up for the trip to Alaska in a week and a half, so will just have to go with what I got!
@@Alaskahuntr For sure, using an egg loop knot is the way to go if you’re using yarn or a bead in the loop. You won’t have the knot pulling through the eye. I have a bad case of Reditis 😁 I will be seeking a cure in ten days. Get online and go to ADF&G website fish counts. It’s looking really good.
Well.......this season for us has come and gone! Spectacular fishing this year, with many very large Sockeye. Our family had a blast. The circle hooks were the true winners this year, with a couple lessons learned. First we went with barbless for the circle and regular hooks, that helped for safety and we didn't notice many if any hooked fish getting off. The circle hooks didn't hook as many fish as the regular, BUT, when hooked they didn't come off, and were 99-100% legal in the mouth. We really didn't have many "if any" snagged fish, since we let the drift work, and don't rip the line at the end. Overall, everyone was sold on the circle hooks, and we had many "converts" at the river, that wanted to try the rigs we had tied up.
You don't need any knot but the tucked blood. Put line through eye then wrap it around it's self 5 times then put end through loop formed then tuck it back through the top loop; wet and draw up tight. This works on the finest fluro. Never lost a fish through knot failure.
