Circle hooks? Please educate me!

[captmicha]

I catch and release and have read that these hooks have a good chance of not causing any potentially fatal damage to the fish. Are they talking about snell hooks?? And other snell like hooks?

Can or should I switch out the hooks on my lures for circle hooks? Or ...curl the ones already on them?

And is the correct technique not to set the hook? Are you supposed to let the fish swallow the hook and then just reel it in as steadily as you can?

I really only get the chance for fresh water fishing so I don't know if letting you know that helps.
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[Ricky-Ray]

Yes you do NOT swing to set the hook, just wind and the hook will set itself. Most of the time it will go to the corner of the fishes mouth. They are not the snell hooks. Here's a sample of what circle hooks look like, http://www.ownerhooks.com/pages/products...ehooks.htm

I've never tried switching out the treble hooks for circle hooks on my jigs so I'm not sure if that will work.
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[captmicha]

Oh I see. The actual tip is curved inwards too. I wonder where I could find some besides the net and bassproshops. There's none near me.
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[Ricky-Ray]

I'm not sure where you live but they are readily available at pretty much every tackle shop I've been to. I'm in Los Angeles, CA. I've even found them at Walmart. The Circle hooks from Owner are called MUTU Circle hooks. If you really can't find them send me a PM with your address I think I have a pack of light wire circle hooks that I bought and don't use anymore. They were too light for the salt and should be just fine for freshwater.
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[captmicha]

I found some after all but thanks for the offer!
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