Have been using circle hooks for about 4 years. It was hard switching from a. J hook because I was so used to setting the hook but after using circle hooks I would never go back to a j hook..
Does the same fishing tactic apply if your fishing for pike with a bobber? I am using 2 rods with levelwind reels with bait clickers and 2 rods with spinning reels. Engage both reels, no freespool on levelwind and no open bail on spinner? Can you give me a good affordable rod recommendation as far a length and action etc. I would just need rods, would reuse reels unless there is a good rod reel combo. Thanks
Thanks Mike. Well timed video for me. Ive been eeling and cut bait fishing the upper Chesapeake recently and yes, cursing circle hooks. Two questions for you if you dont mind. I mostly summer and fall fish the upper Chesapeake so low 30” class fish is the top of my typical range. 1) What power Striper Stealth would you recommend, and 2) Would that rod double as a good rod for jigging Ben Parker spoons like your always doing. Sorry for the long post.
Sure no problem brother. I love the MH for that. Of course, you can jig with anything, but the SS rods are designed specifically for bait and to sit in a rod holder. Because they are not necessarily balanced and have super soft tips they won’t be sensitive enough to feel the taps when the spoon drops.
I understand you have the cut bait resting on the bottom, but what about live bait? I assume that is on a leader line allowing movement in the bait. I thought striper always eat moving up in the water so having a hard time understanding the value in bottom fishing for striper. Thanks. Love the videos!
Because most of the fish are up the rivers spawning. I am posting the full video from this day this week and it will touch on that exact subject. These were mostly resident fish that stay all year and don’t migrate yet. They were sitting on the hump, using it to ambush baitfish. Setting up with cutbait is the best pattern when fish are sitting under bait on structure with full bellies. They will eat a chunk because they can’t resist even though they are full, but are slow to chase a fast live bait. Thanks for the comment!! Also. We were catching them on spoons right up until this day, we wanted a change of pace too. 👍
@@tedsarmiento Because most of the fish are up the rivers spawning. I am posting the full video from this day this week and it will touch on that exact subject. These were mostly resident fish that stay all year and don’t migrate yet. They were sitting on the hump, using it to ambush baitfish. Setting up with cutbait is the best pattern when fish are sitting under bait on structure with full bellies. They will eat a chunk because they can’t resist even though they are full, but are slow to chase a fast live bait. Thanks for the comment!! Also. We were catching them on spoons right up until this day, we wanted a change of pace too. 👍
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS I figured as much! Mike I got back to the marina on Friday (great kills marina), overheard local chatter about Cobia, what are your thoughts? We’re strictly fluking right now obviously
@@Thebunholio You should’ve seen Max, Tommy’s dog. He wanted to attack and kill every fish that came over the rail. Whenever he heard the clicker he would start pacing the boat looking for the fish.
Is there a benefit in your mind to using inline circle hooks with the palomar knot compared to a circle hook with an offset eye that you have to snell?
I personally hate a bent eye with a snell. I haven’t seen any straight eye circle that can be outperformed by a bent eye/snell on any brand. Many guys love the snell, but I ain’t one of them 😁. I always used inline circles when chunking since the fish can hold the bait for a long time and always seem to swallow it. The inline slides out of the gut way better. I liked offsets when using live bait suspended or on surface. Basically when the boat is moving like drifting or pulling with the trolling motor. Nowadays offsets are not allowed in many places in salt. 👍👍👍🙏
Just curious, how do you set the hook on a circle hook when you have the rod in a rod holder on the beach. Do you set the drag really loose and let the fish run for a little bit, then tighter the drag, and reel fast while still in the rod holder to set the hook? Or do you tighten the drag and leave it in the rod holder for the fish to set the hook by itself? Or lastly, do you leave the drag tight, pick the rod out of the holder and side sweep to hook the fish? Thank you in advance for the advice
I very rarely let a fish run. They feel the slightest tension and drop it. Full drag and crank fast when the rod starts to bend over in the rod holder👍
Mike - what mono brand are you using. I switched to braid because of the memory issues. Wonder if putting a75 yards of mono on top of the braid would help? Thoughts? Thanks!
It would definitely help for live and cut bait. I’ve been using this stuff. It’s the BEST mono I’ve ever used. It’s way softer than any other brand and it’s cheap. I like blue camo color. amzn.to/3Icr0bC
Wow!! Holy cow, no, I’ve never broken a single rod, but my buddy broke one. That definitely sounds like damage in shipping. Either on the way to you or on the way to the CTF warehouse. I have around 40 of them and they are all solid. Did you contact CTF to get replacement’s? If not, let me know and I’ll have them ship new rods. The newer ones have the new indestructible tips that bend till they touch the tip to the middle of the rod. (ML-MH rated rods only).
which circle hooks do you recommend? Also, assuming it's a straight eye circle (and not bent eye), what type of knot do you use to tie it? I always snell bent eyes.
We use them for catfish. I think the fish turn into the hook you get them but if they turn away from the hook. The backside of the hook slides out of there mouth or just barley hooks them and pulls free after a few cranks on the rod.
Ugly Stiks are mostly fiberglass, designed to be nearly indestructible. 100% of their marketing was (and still is) showing how much abuse they can take. To be indestructible means they had to give up back bone. That’s why they can bend dang near in a circle. The SS rods are an S glass composite built with a strategically placed backbone. Some people can’t afford a $110 rod, so an Ugly Stik is an OK option if you’re on a budget. You won’t get any backbone but you DO get a soft enough tip to hook fish. I always try to mention a more affordable option to any product we use.
Ok so I click on this video today and I use demon circle hooks, Striper rod is Catch the fever striper rod, and a accurate 500 N reel. Must have been fate.
We can agree to disagree. I do use circle hooks, is the only agreement. Otherwise you fish your way. I'll fish mine. But if you catch every bite,step out and walk on the water.
The biggest factor for high percentage hookups is bait size. For cut bait I will slowly downsize chunks if I miss fish. Once you get the size dialed in youre golden. A chunk that’s too big for the fish will keep the hook from finding purchase.
@@edott9371 Better than in the gut. Try using a straight eye circle hook like Owner MUTU. Mustad Demon circle. No snell. Let me know how they work for you if you try them. Also, try a smaller hook that won’t reach the eye. 👍
Why do you crank the handle when you can clearly see the fish is pulling drag? All that does is creates line twist.makes me not want to watch .you shouldnt teach bad habits.
Have been using circle hooks for about 4 years. It was hard switching from a. J hook because I was so used to setting the hook but after using circle hooks I would never go back to a j hook..
Thanks , your the only video on RUclips that explains circle hook fishing so simple .
Thank you!! I appreciate that!😁👍🙏
I love circle hooks, I have used them to catch big Blue cats for years. Great stuff as always!
Yes sir. They are especially effective on big Blues.
Love the striper stealth rod. Thanks Mike for the recommendation. This rod has made a huge impact on my fishing.
Awesome!!! Glad you like them!!
Also all I use is circle hooks
I didn’t know it when I bought them otherwise I would have used the savings code. I love those rods!!
Thanks capt. Great tips!! Always enjoy watching your videos 👍
Does the same fishing tactic apply if your fishing for pike with a bobber? I am using 2 rods with levelwind reels with bait clickers and 2 rods with spinning reels. Engage both reels, no freespool on levelwind and no open bail on spinner? Can you give me a good affordable rod recommendation as far a length and action etc. I would just need rods, would reuse reels unless there is a good rod reel combo. Thanks
Thanks Mike. Well timed video for me. Ive been eeling and cut bait fishing the upper Chesapeake recently and yes, cursing circle hooks. Two questions for you if you dont mind. I mostly summer and fall fish the upper Chesapeake so low 30” class fish is the top of my typical range. 1) What power Striper Stealth would you recommend, and 2) Would that rod double as a good rod for jigging Ben Parker spoons like your always doing. Sorry for the long post.
Sure no problem brother. I love the MH for that.
Of course, you can jig with anything, but the SS rods are designed specifically for bait and to sit in a rod holder. Because they are not necessarily balanced and have super soft tips they won’t be sensitive enough to feel the taps when the spoon drops.
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS Thanks man. As always, I appreciate the insights and content
Very informative video. With the proposed slot limit on stripers on the west coast we should all start using them. Thanks!
🙏😁😁
When you cut bait are you just using your trolling motor or anchored?
Anchored.
some great content....your insights have helped us catch more fish.
Awesome brother!!! Thanks for the comment!!
I understand you have the cut bait resting on the bottom, but what about live bait? I assume that is on a leader line allowing movement in the bait. I thought striper always eat moving up in the water so having a hard time understanding the value in bottom fishing for striper. Thanks. Love the videos!
Like my circles! But i have been known to forget and set! Lol old habits really die hard.
Same here 😂
What's the dementions / specs of the T shaped mount that holds your Smith rod holders?
They are 20”x20” at 30 degrees. 1-1/4” OD pipe.
Mike why the cut bait? Has the spoon bite gone? Why not live bait?
Good question! Maybe just switching it up in the raritan
Because most of the fish are up the rivers spawning. I am posting the full video from this day this week and it will touch on that exact subject. These were mostly resident fish that stay all year and don’t migrate yet. They were sitting on the hump, using it to ambush baitfish. Setting up with cutbait is the best pattern when fish are sitting under bait on structure with full bellies. They will eat a chunk because they can’t resist even though they are full, but are slow to chase a fast live bait. Thanks for the comment!!
Also. We were catching them on spoons right up until this day, we wanted a change of pace too. 👍
@@tedsarmiento Because most of the fish are up the rivers spawning. I am posting the full video from this day this week and it will touch on that exact subject. These were mostly resident fish that stay all year and don’t migrate yet. They were sitting on the hump, using it to ambush baitfish. Setting up with cutbait is the best pattern when fish are sitting under bait on structure with full bellies. They will eat a chunk because they can’t resist even though they are full, but are slow to chase a fast live bait. Thanks for the comment!!
Also. We were catching them on spoons right up until this day, we wanted a change of pace too. 👍
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS I figured as much! Mike I got back to the marina on Friday (great kills marina), overheard local chatter about Cobia, what are your thoughts? We’re strictly fluking right now obviously
I really don’t know a whole lot about Cobia unfortunately.
Awesome tips, id go bananas listening to those clickers all day
@@Thebunholio You should’ve seen Max, Tommy’s dog. He wanted to attack and kill every fish that came over the rail. Whenever he heard the clicker he would start pacing the boat looking for the fish.
Is there a benefit in your mind to using inline circle hooks with the palomar knot compared to a circle hook with an offset eye that you have to snell?
I personally hate a bent eye with a snell. I haven’t seen any straight eye circle that can be outperformed by a bent eye/snell on any brand. Many guys love the snell, but I ain’t one of them 😁. I always used inline circles when chunking since the fish can hold the bait for a long time and always seem to swallow it. The inline slides out of the gut way better. I liked offsets when using live bait suspended or on surface. Basically when the boat is moving like drifting or pulling with the trolling motor. Nowadays offsets are not allowed in many places in salt. 👍👍👍🙏
Hey Mike! That's right man, J-hook for jerking and C-hooks for cranking. :)
👍👍
Just curious, how do you set the hook on a circle hook when you have the rod in a rod holder on the beach. Do you set the drag really loose and let the fish run for a little bit, then tighter the drag, and reel fast while still in the rod holder to set the hook? Or do you tighten the drag and leave it in the rod holder for the fish to set the hook by itself? Or lastly, do you leave the drag tight, pick the rod out of the holder and side sweep to hook the fish? Thank you in advance for the advice
I very rarely let a fish run. They feel the slightest tension and drop it. Full drag and crank fast when the rod starts to bend over in the rod holder👍
Mike - what mono brand are you using. I switched to braid because of the memory issues.
Wonder if putting a75 yards of mono on top of the braid would help? Thoughts?
Thanks!
It would definitely help for live and cut bait. I’ve been using this stuff. It’s the BEST mono I’ve ever used. It’s way softer than any other brand and it’s cheap. I like blue camo color.
amzn.to/3Icr0bC
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS great thanks! Yes for live and cut bait on TOS floats and planer boards! I’ll pick some mono up. Thanks!
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS wow. It is cheap as dirt. Already ordered. Thanks again.
Mike have you had any of your Striper Stealth rod tips to break. I have about 15 med. light rods and about 8 of them have broken tips.
Wow!! Holy cow, no, I’ve never broken a single rod, but my buddy broke one. That definitely sounds like damage in shipping. Either on the way to you or on the way to the CTF warehouse. I have around 40 of them and they are all solid. Did you contact CTF to get replacement’s? If not, let me know and I’ll have them ship new rods. The newer ones have the new indestructible tips that bend till they touch the tip to the middle of the rod. (ML-MH rated rods only).
I sent catchthefever an email bit had no response. I took pics and all. I have had them for a couple of years though.
Do you have an email address? I will forward you the email I sent them.
Yep. Mikesmedley9@gmail.com
Thanks
Good video bud. Nice fish
Thanks Larry for your continued support! It means a lot coming from an old salt like yourself. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
which circle hooks do you recommend? Also, assuming it's a straight eye circle (and not bent eye), what type of knot do you use to tie it? I always snell bent eyes.
Owner Demon Circle. Straight eye. No snell. There’s a link in the description 👍👍
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS do you just tie a clinch knot directly to the eye?
Palomar with Fluoro but a clinch is fine with mono 👍
Mike you are running a fully tightened drag?
Yes sir, just backed off slightly to get the rod out of the holder.
Hey Mike, I like to play jenga on the first date so she knows my pullout game is strong.
😱😂
Casting distance braid trumos mono also
On spinning reels, yes sir.
Yo no way thanks bro now I can catch more fish
We use them for catfish. I think the fish turn into the hook you get them but if they turn away from the hook. The backside of the hook slides out of there mouth or just barley hooks them and pulls free after a few cranks on the rod.
Have you tried straight eye hooks without a snell? They work WAY better for me on every style of fishing.
Lost a huge striper today to a damn circle hook on Scusset beach in the cape. I’m still devastated 😢
Dang. There are few things I hate more brother.
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS dude it was the hit of my life. Felt like a 30 pounder.
@@LexLutha FUQk Bro. I hate it. On the bright side, it keeps you hungry.
I hate going to fish at the pier and people are using braid. The wind whips that braid all over the place getting it tangled in my mono line.
It has its place of course, but I find it very common that guys use braid just “because”.
So, you helped design an Ugly Stick knockoff?😮😮😮
Ugly Stiks are mostly fiberglass, designed to be nearly indestructible. 100% of their marketing was (and still is) showing how much abuse they can take. To be indestructible means they had to give up back bone. That’s why they can bend dang near in a circle. The SS rods are an S glass composite built with a strategically placed backbone. Some people can’t afford a $110 rod, so an Ugly Stik is an OK option if you’re on a budget. You won’t get any backbone but you DO get a soft enough tip to hook fish. I always try to mention a more affordable option to any product we use.
I think my problem is i switch back and forth too mutch
That definitely can have an effect.
Law says use circle hooks so you don't hurt the fish never mind factories dumping pollutants in the water that'll never hurt the fish right !
doing great with those inline circle hooks 9 kills and 1 released alive. I did better with offset hooks.
I personally saw better results with offset circles too.
@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS I killed less with offset. I keep going bigger now I use a 10/0 demon wide gap.
Fish still swallow and throat hook with circle just plenty. Never saw much of a difference.
Ok so I click on this video today and I use demon circle hooks, Striper rod is Catch the fever striper rod, and a accurate 500 N reel. Must have been fate.
👍
We can agree to disagree. I do use circle hooks, is the only agreement. Otherwise you fish your way. I'll fish mine. But if you catch every bite,step out and walk on the water.
You will not convince me circle hook best for fluke!!!!!
I let them take it doen before i ever touch the rod and still lose 50%
The biggest factor for high percentage hookups is bait size. For cut bait I will slowly downsize chunks if I miss fish. Once you get the size dialed in youre golden. A chunk that’s too big for the fish will keep the hook from finding purchase.
There are not good most the I catch they poke the fishes eye out
@@edott9371 Better than in the gut. Try using a straight eye circle hook like Owner MUTU. Mustad Demon circle. No snell. Let me know how they work for you if you try them. Also, try a smaller hook that won’t reach the eye. 👍
Why do you crank the handle when you can clearly see the fish is pulling drag? All that does is creates line twist.makes me not want to watch .you shouldnt teach bad habits.
Doesn’t twist conventional reels. Only spinners.