Circle hooks.....

tyxpx

Are these required when using free line live bait from a pier for grouper? I keep getting different amswers. Can you make this clear and simple on when circle hooks are required.

CountryBumpkin

You are getting different answers because there are different rules depending on where you are at.
Here is a link to the page that lists all the rules about using circle hooks for reef fish which includes grouper. You have to figure out where you are fishing at and which rules apply.

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/reef-fish-gear-rules/

tyxpx

I was told by someone that you need a circle hooks for grouper from a pier or inshore but then I dug up a video from a TV show and members of this forum in it that went out to specifically target grouper under residential docks and I can see they didn't use circle hooks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH8KfXD2gIs

Watch, you can see one time when they take the hook out its not s circle hook.... Are they breaking laws on TV??

lifegoeson

I watched just a couple minutes they state once that there using circle hooks and the first fish caught is on a circle hook, maybe later on in the show they catch one on a j hook I'm not gonna watch it all.

If your targeting grouper you use circle hooks if your looking for snook or others you don't. It's one of them gray areas when inshore fishing, it's pretty cut and dry 10 miles out on a reef.

tyxpx

I know it's cut and dry out offshore on a reef. I'm looking for answer for inshore. One of the fish they let go in the grouper segment inshore was clearly a j hook.

SJC

You have to use circle hooks when targeting reef fish. That episode was also posted in the WC section when they initially shot it. Capt Godz made a post stating that he was incorrect in using that style of Jig head because it wasn't a circle hook.

http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?85503-Latest-episode-of-quot-Reel-Time-w-Florida-Sportsman-quot-Tampa-Bay-is-insane!&highlight=reel+time

post#13

Edit: Have to use circles for live bait, apperently they were using J's not only on jigs but regular hooks also. Either way he admited he was wrong

tyxpx

If you watch closely you can see one of the fish when they unhook it that the hook was not a circle hook either.

gettinwet

Why wouldn't you use a circle hook?

Gary S. Colecchio

tyxpx wrote: »

Are these required when using free line live bait from a pier for grouper?

Yes.

tyxpx

gettinwet wrote: »

Why wouldn't you use a circle hook?

Maybe just old fashioned but I just like J hooks, cant really say why cause I dont know why I just do. I always did use cicle hooks when offshore fishing and never tried for grouper from shore so thats why Ive been asking to get a clear answer.

Apparently the circle hook needs to be straight with no offset which a lot of circle hooks sold are (offset).

gettinwet

tyxpx wrote: »

Maybe just old fashioned but I just like J hooks, cant really say why cause I dont know why I just do. I always did use cicle hooks when offshore fishing and never tried for grouper from shore so thats why Ive been asking to get a clear answer.

Apparently the circle hook needs to be straight with no offset which a lot of circle hooks sold are (offset).

It took me awhile to get used to circle hooks but now I don't use anything else except when I'm catching bait (small gold j hooks for pinfish and such). You can usually find big non offset circle hooks anywhere they sell tackle for offshore trolling - I think because they are a requirement now in billfish tourneyments. I would think one would be cutting/retying a lot using j hooks for grouper - since they tend to inhale baits

tyxpx

I have tons of no offset circle hooks and dont have a problem using them for grouper. I just didnt know it was law even inshore from a bridge. Seems to be kind of a grey area especially since from a pier you can have a grouper in the cooler caught legally and be using a J hook fishing for other stuff at the time and a leo shows up......

Gary S. Colecchio

Using a baited "J" hook when fishing for reef fish is prohibited.

tyxpx

Gary S. Colecchio wrote: »

Using a baited "J" hook when fishing for reef fish is prohibited.

That is understood and clear cut when offshore on a reef, whats at debate here is something different.

Gary S. Colecchio

There is no debate because there is no exclusion. Reef fish -> circle hook.

sharkatak1089

i match the hook to the situation, not what a **** "law" says. ask me how many times I've been checked and they asked to look at my hook box.........0

tyxpx

Not saying there is am exclusion but some Grey area so to speak and in some situations even if fish were caught legally a Leo could still issue a citation....

Gary S. Colecchio

No grey area. No baited "J" hooks for reef fish.

Roc N Rol

I cant tell where you all are talking about, I am guessing the gulf side? Because we can use a baited J hook on the atlantic side in state water and also in federal water South of 28 deg. Latitude

SJC

Correct Gulf Of Mexico.

TYXPX I don't understand your confusion. If you are targeting a reef fish with live bait you MUST use a circle hook. It doesn't matter if you are 20 miles out or in a foot of water or Pier.

tyxpx

I understand that. But what if I'm tossing a live bait j hook for a king fish but a grouper grabs it? What then?

What if I have a grouper in the cooler that was caught with a circle hook and Leo rolls up and I'm now fishing live bait j hook for mangos or Spanish macks?

snookaffinity

tyxpx wrote: »

I understand that. But what if I'm tossing a live bait j hook for a king fish but a grouper grabs it? What then?

What if I have a grouper in the cooler that was caught with a circle hook and Leo rolls up and I'm now fishing live bait j hook for mangos or Spanish macks?

"IF" this occurred, and if the LEO does't believe you, hopefully the judge will.

Jack Hexter

tyxpx wrote: »

I was told by someone that you need a circle hooks for grouper from a pier or inshore but then I dug up a video from a TV show and members of this forum in it that went out to specifically target grouper under residential docks and I can see they didn't use circle hooks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH8KfXD2gIs

Watch, you can see one time when they take the hook out its not s circle hook.... Are they breaking laws on TV??

At 2:55, they describe the outfit, "A pretty stout rod, circle hook, and pilchard." They are following the law, using circle hooks for reef fish.

tyxpx

That jig head didn't look like a circle hook..... and like I said when they unhook one of those fish it seems pretty clear to me it wasn't a circle hook. I'll try to find it later....

Jack Hexter

I didn't view the whole video, and did not see them unhooking a fish, but, even if they might, and I repeat might be in violation, does not mean you are allowed to do so. I've viewed programs where the host was tied to a channel marker, a clear violation, but I don't do it.

Edit

I watched half the episode. The hooks they are using are circles, the jig head at 9:50 is a J hook. Onec again, just because you see it on TV does not mean it's legal and that you should do it.