Hello, looking forward to moving from Orewa to Papamoa, but that's beside the point. We all read about undersize fish mortality rate, usually in the commercial sector, but does anyone have any thoughts on hook size, catch size. If I use 5 or 6/0 will I only catch big fish? Hard to explain, I know, but I'd rather catch one oversize, than throw back a few that might not survive.
Re: Hook size
Posted by racepics on 13/2/2015, 6:49 pm, in reply to "Hook size"
Posted by Hangler on 13/2/2015, 9:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Hook size"
This is a problem that has worried surfcasters for many a year. Should you use a larger hook and miss a nice gurnard for example, or use a smaller hook and catch the gurnard and then risk the the odd immature fish?
I plumbed to hit the middle ground: I use a size 4/0, fine wire wide gape hook, I get these hooks from England, and it covers both sides of the coin. I hook and land larger fish, I fail to hook up with several of the smaller takes and don't have too many problems with small snapper.
There is an interesting video on YouTube from an angler on the south coast of England. In this video he shows how he unhooks fish he wishes to return. He uses forceps through the gill covers, out the mouth, and then he takes hold of the trace. he then pulls the trace line back through the gill cover and turn the hook around so the bend is facing forward and the shank is facing toward the tail of the fish. he then gives a gentle shake of the hook and it pulls back through the mouth easily without causing a bleed.
So simple, so easy, so effective and could easily be applied to undersized snapper.
Watch this clip and you will see exactly what I mean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj0joS8pNR4
Re: Hook size
Posted by Rex HB on 13/2/2015, 9:51 pm, in reply to "Hook size"
All the stuff Ive read suggests 5 or bigger the is best for snapper. Although as Hangler quite rightly says says 4 (and a 2 or 3 keeper) are the best for gurnard they will also take a 5 quite readily as they have big mouths the old grunters.
Another idea if the snapper are on the bite and they can be really busy at the BOP is to try kahawai instead of conventional baits. Ive heard that the bigger ones hang out the back and can be more partial to that. Worth a try anyway.
Re: Hook size
Posted by The druid on 14/2/2015, 9:33 am, in reply to "Re: Hook size"
Thanks guys, good info, guess I'll stick to the 5's and 6 circles and release as per the book.
Re: Hook size
Posted by racepics on 14/2/2015, 2:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Hook size"
Got this snapper on a 4/0 Gammy circle this morning. Its about the length of a pilchard..
on 13/2/2015, 6:30 pm
