Lottabass

@chubaka I fish out of a pond prowler also. Humeston city lake was great a couple years ago but haven't been there lately. Pretty silted in but the dam area was good to me. What do you think of Morris and Ellis? Big crappie in Morris but I didn't catch any bass but only fished it once.

@WRB I agree when you say LMB engulf and reject fast. That is one concern I have in this experiment. More hook points (3 with trebles, one with circles) will result in higher % of catches. Again, my goals were to reduce hooks in my hand and increase success in removing hooks from a throat hooked bass. If this experiment results in a poor catch rate I will go back to trebles.

@RRocket Some results from yesterday: Caught several bass but only 4 were on jerkbaits with circle hooks, the others were on jackhammers. 3 were hooked on the rear hook in the corner of the mouth. One was hooked on the outside of the mouth, under the jaw by the rear hook. Also caught 3 crappie, all on the rear hook, one in the corner of the mouth, one in the tongue, and one on the outside on the gill cover. On the baits with 3 hooks I left off the middle hook when I replaced them. I may move the front hook to the middle. So far the rear hook has resulted in most of the catches (I realize this is early in this experiment). The lakes I fish are not what I consider to be the best jerkbait lakes. Water visibility of 12-15 inches. Water temp has been 45 to 50. Looking forward to hearing results, thoughts, and experiences from you and others.

@WRB Not doubting your experience but in my 65 years of using crankbaits I have hooked way too many in the throat. Successful hook removal is possible but I have taken home many for the skillet when it is not. Hopefully this circle hook experiment will be positive. This is why I love this forum. We have the same goal and so many different experiences along the way.

@RRocket Great! Please share your experience and hopefully we can learn from each other.

Reminds me of the old story of the kings new clothes....!

@RRocket Next time I order I will get some #2 circle which are probably closer to a #6 treble. Also, will investigate other brands. You know how different brands can be different sizes even though they call them the same number.

@RRocket I bought size 1, 1/0, 2/0, and 3/0. I just tried to match the circle to the treble. I think the circles are a bit larger. I may have to play around with sizes.

Poor handling of fish is mistreatment. I don't mistreat my dog and I don't mistreat my kids. I have no problem killing and eating fish but if they are to be released do it the right way.

@GRiver OUCH! I feel your pain! I got the hooks at Tackle Warehouse. I will post updates on this experiment and will report good and bad results. I intend to try these hooks on topwater baits and square bills fished through wood cover. As they say, we'll see what happens!

@Tim Kelly I have no experience with circles but read somewhere that they were fish grabbers, even though they don't look like it.

I had 2 goals in mind with this experiment. Reduce getting hooks in hand. I have Parkinsons and my hands shake and less feel and strength in my grip. Been to ER 4 times in the last 3 years for hook removal. Make it easier to remove a lure when it is in the gullet of a fish. My fears were that I would hook less fish, or that I would lose fish after they were hooked. I realize that this is early in this experiment as I have only fished 3 days this spring but the results are promising. I replaced the trebles on some of my jerkbaits and crankbaits with Gamakatsu Crankbait Circle Hooks. In the 3 days I fished I caught 17 bass and 2 crappie, all on jerkbaits except for 1 bass on a Frittside Jr. All had the rear hook firmly in the corner of the mouth. No big fish, all 12 to 16 inches. Didn't seem to affect the action of the lures and I hooked and landed everything that bit. I'm excited to see how this experiment plays out this year. If it goes south I have plenty of baits with trebles! Size 1 hooks

There are many ways to describe the sound of a big lunker wackin' a topwater. "Schlorp", "Ka-blooie", etc. I don't know how to write it but it's the sound of a '54 Buick being dropped in the lake!!!

So many birds singing in the spring. The sounds of nature sooth me when I'm struggling to catch fish.

Speed and depth of your lure and location where you present it (at fish) are the most important things. Color is an aid. I use different colors but rarely have seen any difference (but sometimes it does make a difference). Confidence in your lure, and color, selection is always important.

@Blue Raider Bob And if Mom had been with us I'm sure she would have stripped down to her bra and panties and dove for them teeth!

My Dad and I were crappie fishing and he had his dentures in his shirt pocket (he hated those things). He bent over to land a fish and "plunk" in went the falsies! We could see 'em on the bottom in 10 fow but all efforts to retrieve them failed. Mom was madder than a wet hen when we got home!

I started a B.A.S.S. club in the 1970's. One of the projects I was most proud of were the Kids Fishing Clinics we would host every summer. The kids learned many things including how to handle fish and importance of protecting the resource.

When MLF started I thought what they were doing was a big improvement and I sent a letter to B.A.S.S. encouraging them to do the same or allow nets. No reply. My guess is that if Ray Scott was still there I would have at least gotten a reply.

I disagree. Most "bass pro wannabees" emulate what they see on TV or Youtube because it looks cool. My grandkids or other young people I have taken fishing don't know what "boat flipping" is until they see it on media, and they learn the right way to catch and release bass and why from me.

Catt said, Y'all hate boat flipping bass but continue taking selfies! I take selfies or photograph the fish but it stays wet until I click the shutter, then right back in the lake.

Been watching tournaments on TV. I think flipping bass and letting them flop around on the floor is a poor way to treat a fish.

I believe everything that @Fairly Reliable and @GRiver wrote. I use Bang on jigs and plastics. If I make a cast without the scent on my bait I have a strong feeling that it won't get bit. My mind knows better but I reel it in and spray it, then when I cast I KNOW I'm gonna get bit. It's all between the ears!

I like your choice. I'd be right there with you on the other end of the canoe!

Had open heart surgery several years ago. Before, during, and while recovering my fear was "is this going to end my fishing". Caught this bass on the first time out after recovery. I thought, "Whew, I can still do this"!