Which part of the hook "hooks" the fish?

What are some tips on setting the hook with a traditional J-hook on bigger deep sea fish? Also what are some tips with circle hooks?

• I am going on my third private fishing charter in May. I don't want to lose any of "the big ones" or the small ones for that matter. What are some tips for setting the ...show more

• Answer:

  Amazingly detailed and excellent answer from Peter, (TU's and a def Best Answer!) Just wanted to add a few more Circle Hook tips- Circle Hooks- When your fishing be aware of the SIZE fish your targeting. Why??? The way circle hooks work is this- Fish bites. You reel quickly and slowly (SLOWLY) LIFT your rod to hook the fish. At this point, the fish is (obviously) swimming AWAY from you. The C hook travels along the roof of the fishes mouth (without hooking) until it arrives at the corner of the mouth/jaw. The fish is swimming away and as it does it hooks itself. THE ISSUE?? The circle hook must be large enough to lodge in the side of the mouth of the fish. IF your targeting larger fish, you will need a larger C hook. Typically, any C Hook over 3/0-4/0 will work for small-medium fish, 4/0-6/0 medium-large fish, 6/0-10/0 for large fish. (It's a good idea to have an assortment of sizes- if on a budget, at least 3/0 and 6/0.) IF you lose fish directly after the strike, it is usually because you've either set the circle too hard OR the fish your trying to catch are larger than the hook, (and won't easily lodge in the side of the mouth of the fish). Here is a cool video on Circle hooks- Hope this extra info helped?