A few years back the use of circle hooks rather than J-hooks for bait fishing for striped bass was put into law. It eliminated the practice of snag and drop fishing mostly when large schools of menhaden are around and the big bass are surrounding the schools. While some may argue using a 10/0 snag hook
doesn't lead to increased release mortality the truth is they do. And it's more relevant when we have a 28-31" slot and anything over, like cow sized females, have to be released. Not only was snag and drop used from the boats when big bunker are around but also from shore anglers when the peanut runs in the late fall are happening. Those that fish bait, and now use circle hooks, will tell you there are proper techniques when using circle hooks. Use them wrong and the hook won't catch in the corner of the mouth like they are designed to.
I have been preaching for some times about removing treble hooks from striper fishing, at least those tailing or belly hooks. Most of my fishing buddies are hard core plug casters and have slowly made the move to replacing the tail hook with a single hook or a flag. Flags are typically made out of bucktail and I think really add to the action of the lure, but I've never spin or plug fished before.
One of the reasons I have been pushing this is because the ASMFC has been zeroing in on fishing release mortality mores now that we have a slot limit and anything over 31 inches goes back. Dead discards floating off the beach and dead carcasses on the beach are commonplace during the early and late runs. Last fall I saw my share of dead bass over 40" while walking the sand. My thinking is if we, as a collective group of anglers, show that we care and take the steps to reduce mortality then maybe the ASMFC won't step in and mandate seasonal closures or how our baits, live, plug, or fly are fished.
There is a movement now to move to going single on lures. The American Saltwater Guides Association and Hogy Lures have collaborated on just that. Couple that with studies done by the Massachusetts DNF and interest by the ASMFC and it's time to make this a reality.
While treble hooks aren't used by fly anglers there's something we can do to do our part and make releases of striped bass easier and may led to a reduced fly release mortality. Crushing down the barbs or tying with barbless hooks can help if you so choose. I try my best but every now again one barbed hook slips through but when I find it I take my hemostats and pinch it down.
Mike Armstrong from the Mass. DMF presented to the ASMFC on release mortality in relation to circle and treble hooks. Treble hooks not only do damage down their throat but the second hook can damage the gill plate, eye, skin, or lip. Hogy Lures made he initiative to no longer put aft hooks on
their lures. Additionally they are moving to barbless hooks from the front treble. That's the way things are moved in a different direction. It takes just one big play to move the chains down the field. These
days a lot of plug makers are selling their plugs without hooks. That way anglers can choose the type(s) of hooks they choose to put on their lures. My friend Scott Stryker offers his gliders ( below) without
hooks for just that reason. The truth is, yes, you may miss a few more fish, but, in doing so you save a few more fish isn't it worth it? You can listen to owner Mike Hogan from Hogy on the ASGA Guidepost podcast HERE.