SMALL ROCKFISH = CIRCLE HOOKS

  The bay is loaded with undersize Rockfish and if you are chumming you just can’t keep them off your lines. Some fishermen are determined not to use the circle hooks and others are not too sure they work.

  No matter what your excuse is I can say the circle hooks will out catch the regular hooks and with few or no gut hook-ups. Let me tell you how we fish them from the "Drizzle Bar". We use 14 lb test line on a Penn 4400SS Penn reel and Daiwa Heartland rod 6 1/2 foot and 8 to 17 lb class. The rod must be medium taper so when the fish swallows the bait and turns to leave, the hook will slowly retrieve from the fish’s belly and cause the hook to enter the lip area. Sure other equipment will work but I prefer the above.

  I use 50 lb. test leader 3’ long and crimp a #5 barrel swivel to one end and on the other end I snell a 5/0 Eagle Claw #L197G and pinch the barb off. The 50 lb. will allow me to grab the leader without breaking to retrieve the fish without a net. We use a slide sinker (egg type) and slide it on the line and then tie the swivel to the line. As for bait I like the center cuts of the Alewive (you know the gut section) cut to about 1" wide. If the tide is running strong cast as far back as you can and at times let more line out. If the tide is slow bring it closer to the boat. Put the rod in a rod holder and let the fish do its job!!! If you see a hit be ready but let the rod in the holder, when it goes down where your blood pressure goes up pick up the rod with a steady lift to get him. DON’T SET THE HOOK or you will pull the hook out of the fish’s mouth.

  People who charter the "Drizzle Bar" want to catch fish; my son George, who is the Captain, will use what it takes to catch fish!!! All our rods have circle hooks but at times a fisherman wants to hold a rod; we have to revert to regular hooks for the customer. They generally ask to have a circle hook put back on their line by the end of the trip. Occasionally, a party rebooks and request the circle hooks on all the rods. Circle hooks are used on charter boats and long liners and it will work for you!!!!!

Any questions on the tackle or what I use to crimp the leader or rigs?
Call 410-HEY FISH (410-439-3474)

George Bentz (DrizzleBar)
My e-mail address is: gbentz@erols.com