An Introduction to Pike Fishing With Circle Hooks. Part 2: Hair rigs and baiting them

[@pauldale1508]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting your guide.

[@aydencaldwell2472]

Do the fish not get put off with the big red ball but considering a lot of them take the bait head first?

[@quaysportsfishing4190]

Hi, Pop ups (red balls) have been used extensively by pike anglers for many years with no noticeable difference in takes. In some instances it may even help as a visual trigger. If you have the option of a bait buried deep in the weed where it will never get spotted or the use of a pop up which will bring the bait into a visual plane above the weed then a pop is definitely preferable. After watching a considerable amount of underwater footage of pike taking baits they seem to take it in whatever angle is easiest. Lots will grab it side on then swim away, stop and turn the fish. Some will take it whole in the first strike. The beauty of circle hooks is that you can leave the run and 'feel' the line. So if it runs, then stops, wait until it runs again then wind down. I very rarely miss any fish and it is even rarer to loose one once hooked.

[@aydencaldwell2472]

@@quaysportsfishing4190 yeah I’ve heard of pop up baits etc of course but I’ve seen folk filling baits with air etc to let it float a bit but I thought if it had a big red foam ball at the mouth of the bait it would maybe spook the fish , might need to give this a try

[@tellitlikeitis-rg4ny]

​@@aydencaldwell2472easiest way is to use foam sticks pushed down baits throat , , and way the hook is not actualy held in ace seems a bit daft chance of bait comming off and pike injesting the wire inside fish

[@tellitlikeitis-rg4ny]

What a load of faff ,, id ditch the red ball and use foam bait sticks inserted into fish , also the way bait is just slung on hook seems a bit daft as bait could come off leaving a mackrel with wire trace in it that pike could swallow ,

[@quaysportsfishing4190]

You should produce a video showing us your infinite wisdom of pike fishing. Never lost a hair rig in 10 years. Saved loads of pike with trebles stuck in them though.

[@davidharvey8064]

Very good video there mate an i like this idea. May try it soon. I make my pop ups in the same way but with a slight twist. I like the bottom version. Never thought of the bigger loop round the tail. Nice work on that. But in the last few year ive been pulling circle hook traces out of pike more regularly. Which may be evidence of circle hooks becoming more popular. Hence more getting found in pike. I think its more the anglers fault most of the time than than the actual trace itself tbf. Good video though. ​@quaysportsfishing4190

[@quaysportsfishing4190]

Thank you for your positive comments. I definitely remove more trebles than circles but have done some. One trace had 2 circles on it like a Pennel rig which I guess was to hold the bait more securely. If used correctly they should never be left in a fish and on the unfortunate occasion that they do at least they do not 'staple' the mouth closed like trebles would. We would have a lot more and a lot bigger pike if more anglers used circle hooks.