Effect of hook type and hook setting method on deep‐hooking rates when bait fishing for trout in lentic waters

Abstract

AbstractFishing with circle hooks along with prescribed hook‐setting methods can reduce deep‐hooking rates in some fisheries, but baited circle hooks have not been evaluated in stillwater trout fisheries. Deep‐hooking rates and catch probabilities were compared for cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii​ (Richardson), rainbow trout Oncorhyncus mykiss (Walbaum), cutthroat × rainbow trout hybrids, and brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis (MItchill) caught using three types of baited hooks (circle, intermediate circle and traditional J) and two hook‐setting methods (active and passive) in several lakes containing naturally reared trout. Hook type had a negligible effect on deep‐hooking rates, which averaged 20%. Actively setting the hook and fishing with a bobber both reduced deep‐hooking rates, regardless of hook type. Larger fish were deeply hooked more frequently regardless of hook type. Catch probabilities were higher when active rather than passive hook‐setting was used, particularly in combination with intermediate circle hooks. The present results, which indicate that circle hook use did not reduce deep hooking in lentic settings, contrast earlier studies done in lotic waters. Therefore, before proposing hook‐type regulations intended to reduce deep hooking, fisheries managers should consider waterbody type in addition to fishing methods, fish size and species.