03-27-2003, 06:48 PM
Hi there tightlines,
Having fished in Japan for 30 years, I can say almost all (90%+)hooks for 90%+ of fishes targeted were designed for snell tying until the last 7 or 8 years. This has only changed with the boom in western style fishing methods for a growing number of species. (one exception is the offshore or near-shore big game fishes)
Snell tied hooks be they J or circle have what I think is one detractor. You may disagree. When removing the hook from a fish, not withstanding how deep the fish took the hook, there is a greater chance of nicking, scratching, cutting, damaging some area of the line, especially that area on the actual shank of the hook. An eye kind of gives you a protection of know/line damage somewhat like the guard on a sword.
I always use a snell tie when putting a trailer or stinger on a bait or main fly. I would think that live bait action is not as good with the snell as with a hook tied with a loop knot, etc.
I get the feeling the commercials use big time heavy gear that doesn't fail so they're set to catch a 2 or 20 pounder they're there to catch and make a living. Therefore, their concerns are quite different that recreational anglers who often catch and release and fish light tackle/line to boot!
I have no squawk against the commercials and the fact is I now use circle hooks on almost all my fishing (including #10 finesse circle hooks for shrimp flies).
Snell vs Eye hook style circles..... interesting info! Thank you.
JapanRon
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