For decades, the classic J-hook has been the fishing hook of choice for anglers using natural baits. This hook was originally designed to catch fish that anglers intended to keep--when fishing was more for sustenance than sport. With the increased interest in catch-and-release fishing, however, many anglers are turning to the circle hook, which causes considerably less injury to a hooked fish.
Description
The J-hook is literally shaped like a letter "J." The shank of the hook is straight and relatively long, compared to the point of the hook. The point is also straight, parallel to the shank, with a back-facing barb. The circle hook is rounder, more closely resembling a circle. The shank curves from the eye at one end of the hook to the barbed point at the other. The point of the circle hook often curves as part of the overall shape of the hook.
Design
J-hooks are designed to hold natural bait. Many J-hook designs have extra barbs along the shank to more easily keep bait on the hook. Unlike the J-hook, which has a point that is in line with the hook shank, the design of circle hooks places the point angle at 90 degrees to the shank of the hook. Circle hooks are designed to hook a fish in the corner of its mouth.
Function
When a fish takes a bait on either type of hook, the point of the hook embeds into its flesh and the barb prevents the point from releasing. This improves the chances of the angler landing the fish. When a fish takes bait on a J-hook, the hook immediately snags on whatever part of the fish's body it contacts first. When a fish takes a circle hook, the design of the hook causes the hook to travel back out of the fish's mouth, until the hook reverses direction at the corner of the mouth as the fish pulls on the line. This forces the hook to catch in the corner of the fish's mouth.
Setting the Hook
When fishing with a J-hook, you set the hook by pulling back on the line with your fishing rod as soon as you detect a strike. To set a circle hook, you simply take up the slack in the line and let the fish run with the hook. You then reel in slowly. The resistance of the hook in the corner of the fish's mouth will set the hook.
Benefits
J-hooks are efficient at catching fish, particularly if you plan on keeping your catch to eat later. In this case, where the hook catches the fish is not a critical issue. However, if you intend to release your catch alive, a J-hook may not be the best choice. A J-hook design can travel past the fish's mouth and lodge in its throat. This can make it difficult to remove the hook without injuring the fish. Because circle hooks are designed to catch in the corner of the fish's mouth, they are easier to remove safely.
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