I've been using Gamakatsu Octopus Circle hooks #1 size on my 5” Wacky rigged Senkos.  They seem to be very effective in hooking bass, usually in the jaw and seldom gut-hooked. But, my problem is that I have a difficult time removing the hook without damaging the fish. They often seem to penetrate the fish’s jaw and with the bent over point they don’t come loose easily either by hand or with pliers. I wonder if anyone knows any tricks for removing these hooks more easily? I've tried several other hooks, but I like the Circle hooks because I seldom lose a fish once they are hooked.

File down the barb (barbless). The design style should offset most odds of losing the fish.

I use 1/0 circle octopus hooks on my Senko WR. Unless it’s simply hooked where it comes out easily by hand, I grab them at the deep part of the bend with my hook remover and rotate them out. I haven’t had too much of an issue removing these hooks, even gut-hooked bass. Going through the gills normally results in a good hook removal and a saved fish. 

39 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I use 1/0 circle octopus hooks on my Senko WR. Unless it’s simply hooked where it comes out easily by hand, I grab them at the deep part of the bend with my hook remover and rotate them out. I haven’t had too much of an issue removing these hooks, even gut-hooked bass. Going through the gills normally results in a good hook removal and a saved fish. 

Could you tell me what hook remover you use? I've been using 6" needle nose pliers. Thanks for your help.

Just like this one. 
 

I use quality forcipes, never had a issue, If you rotate the hook vs trying to pull it out.

5 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

I use quality forcipes, never had a issue, If you rotate the hook vs trying to pull it out.

Thank you. What kind and where would I buy some?

Barbs are made to go only one way and can do damage even when the fish isn't hooked deep. Since I release the great majority of what I catch I smash down all my barbs now. I just smash them down with my needle nose plyers. I lose very few where I blame the lack of a barb but I'm releasing them all anyway. It really is a lot easier to unhook fish and I feel better about their condition. A barbless hook is also easier to remove from me so I don't need to carry wire cutters. LOL

 

 

When using circle hooks with artificial lures, do you set the hook?  I thought circle hooks were primarily for live bait to avoid gut hooking, and basically letting the fish hook themselves.

8 minutes ago, billmac said:

When using circle hooks with artificial lures, do you set the hook? 

Definitely don't want (to try) to set the hook.  I don't use them personally for this reason with artificial baits, I end up missing fish.  For my son, I rig a soft plastic affixed to a circle hook by an Owner CPS hitching post-type thing.  In a coue of friends' farm ponds, this ends up working pretty well.

9 hours ago, Robert C. Gates said:

Thank you. What kind and where would I buy some?

I have the 6" surgical forcipes, my wife use to work at a hospital. I'm  sure you can find them online.