Pike fishing UK : How to tie your own Circle hook trace

[@condelaneycd]

Nice just got some of those hocks going to try them out Friday

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

Good luck! and tight lines Con 👍🎣

[@yammer69]

Great video Mark, I have been using circle hooks for 3 years now, no deep hooked fish, all hooked in the scissors, first session this year at my local syndicate lake, 281/2, 20, 15, 111/2 + 5 other smaller fish, all hooked in the scissors, all released easily

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

Good stuff! 👍🎣

[@borderlands6606]

I use traditional wire and crimps and, touch wood, they haven't let me down so far. However, I like the look of your overhand loops either end of knot-able wire, so I'll be giving it a go for quick change purposes. Unlike yourself I favour 50-65 lb braid for main line, and have pulled circle hooks completely straight in a snag. I also pinch down the barb on circle hooks, and hook up rates aren't effected. Failures have mostly been from pulling out of bigger baits that haven't connected. Good video, mate.

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

Maybe I had a dodgy batch of crimps (savage gear) last year. Let me down twice, prior to that 100 ,percent reliable in 50 years of pike fishing. But I'm always looking to be innovative, adaptable and forward looking. Who knows in 10 years I could go full circle and be back on the trebles 🤣

[@jamesb99]

The start of last October I used crimps on my own wire traces with one treble hook, seasons before used to twist had the odd hook pull but mostly caught without any problems. Last season on more than one occasion crimp failed and lost pike and hook not good! I now back to twisting, not been pike fishing till next week and see how we go. I will give your way a go as well Mark cheers.

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

Twisting is a good method, if I was using trebles that's the way I would go.

[@arranprice4851]

Can I ask what the main difference is between the two types of wire shown in this video?

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

One is coated (afw) and the drennan one is as thin as braid or mono (but is liable to kinking)

[@arranprice4851]

@Fishing4Pleasure thanks very much, any downside to using the drennan one for general pike fishing with circles?

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

@@arranprice4851 not really just have to change the trace more often

[@karlmclean2023]

Ive tried this, I think doubling the wire strand kicks the hook away from the corner of the mouth when it’s on its way out and not supple enough + the knot don’t help it slide round either. Try a snell knot in the soft strand wire, has upped my catch rate when nose hooking baits

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

Thanks for the info

[@Tobyuk123]

Great video and tips thank you

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

thanks for taking the time to watch 👍👍🎣🎣

[@Edge-of-Reason]

Im haopy with knots or crimps and sometimes both. Crimps have failed me but only on coated wire and knots have also failed after a few sessions as the knot holds water and can rust out. Personally i dont like circles as I find them too thick a gauge so on standard j hooks but its good to see others results.

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

Cheers for the feedback! After nearly 50 years of fishing with trebles it's all a learning curve

[@condelaneycd]

And I have same wires as you but 65 pounds con from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@Tobyuk123]

Do you use a figure of 8 knot , thanks great video

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

Yea mate, Tight lines

[@miketasker5661]

Hi Mark, great video as always! Just one question, have you found your catch rate has improved since you changed from a crimped hook, to one that is slightly more fixed? I currently use crimped hooks on a loop and they can move a lot more than the ones in your video. I always thought was beneficial, so would welcome your thoughts. Thanks, Mike.

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

@@miketasker5661 I think the hook on a loop is far better, missed a few runs on the static baits already this season. Paternoster rig has been reliable as always

[@jasonrenshaw9010]

I understand the use of circle hooks and the principle of how they work, however, they just “look” wrong with that inturned point closing the gape. I will have to try them but at the minute i used small catfish hooks. Also, just watching that again closely, you are only using a simple overhand knot, not a figure of 8. Tight lines.

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

Yeah those hooks take some getting used to! Been using them for 3 winters now I'm getting there slowly but a hell of a lot of missed runs in the beginning. Tight lines

[@robertdenman153]

I took a trip to Florida and they had videos showing vets pulling circle hooks out of turtles and birds. It makes it very easy for them to remove from wildlife. The point is supposed to only be able to hook up as it turns coming out of the jaws. Personally I'm not a fan with bigger baits but I'm willing to try it with roach in the paternoster.

[@marcdikhoff4309]

I use circle hooks now for the 2nd season. what a great find. octupus hooks, with carbon coated steel wire savage gear with a snell knot. no striking just wheel in fast and make contact

[@Fishing4Pleasure]

@@marcdikhoff4309 Yeah I'm going to have to give the snell knot a go