Circle hooks have become a popular choice among anglers targeting fish like redfish, trout, and flounder Using whole shrimp as bait is a productive technique when fishing with circle hooks Follow this guide to learn the proper method for baiting shrimp on circle hooks.
Why Use Circle Hooks?
Circle hooks are named for their unique circular shape. The key benefit is that when a fish bites down on the bait, the circular shape causes the hook to slide out of the bait and catch in the corner of the mouth.
Compared to conventional J-hooks, circle hooks:
- Greatly reduce gut hooking fish
- Allow safer catch and release
- Promote higher hookup ratios
- Require less effort to set the hook
Circle hooks are ideal for bait fishing and work well with whole shrimp The smooth hooking motion is perfect for shrimp baits that fish tend to gulp down
Pick the Right Hook Size
Circle hooks come in a wide range of sizes. For shrimp:
- Size 1/0 to 3/0 hooks work well for medium shrimp up to 5 inches long.
- Size 4/0 to 6/0 hooks are needed for larger shrimp over 5 inches long.
A hook too small for the shrimp makes proper hookups difficult. A hook too large looks unnatural and deters bites.
Match the Weight
The weight of the jig head should balance the size of the bait. Use:
- 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig heads for medium shrimp
- 3/8 to 1/2 oz jig heads for larger shrimp
Heavier jigs get the bait down faster in strong currents. Lighter jigs work better in shallow, calm water.
Gather the Supplies
You’ll need:
- Circle jig heads in appropriate size and weight
- Whole fresh or thawed shrimp with shells on
- Bait threader (optional)
- Sharp knife to cut shrimp
- Needle nose pliers (optional)
Prep the Shrimp
For whole shrimp:
- Peel off the legs and shell but leave the tail on
- Optional: Cut along the underside to butterfly open more space for the hook
- Cut off the tip of the tail if needed for smaller hooks
Removing the legs and shell allows for direct hook penetration. Leaving the tail provides more action in the water.
Load the Hook
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Insert the hook point into the broader head-end of the shrimp.
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Continue pushing the hook through until the eye and barb exit the other side of the shrimp.
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Center the hook shank within the shrimp to hide it as much as possible.
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For larger shrimp, angle the hook off-center to account for the hook size.
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Pull the entire hook through until the barb catches in the shrimp to lock it in place.
Using pliers can help grip and guide the hook through firmly so it seats securely.
Consider Using a Bait Threader
A bait threader is a thin metal wire with a loop on the end. It makes inserting the hook easier by creating a temporary pilot hole for the hook to pass through:
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Insert the threader through the head of the shrimp.
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Pull the threader until the loop emerges from the far side.
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Hook the eye of the jig head into the threader loop.
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Pull the threader back out, dragging the hook into and through the shrimp.
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Remove the threader once the hook is through the shrimp.
Check the Placement
Double check:
- Shrimp is snug on the hook shank
- Barbed end of hook fully penetrates both sides
- Shrimp sits horizontally and can move freely
- Hook eye and barb are hidden inside shrimp
If needed, gently adjust the shrimp or re-insert the hook for proper positioning.
Consider Hook Removal
Some anglers prefer to remove the hook barb with pliers before baiting:
- Eases inserting hook through shrimp
- Avoids snagging the barb on the shrimp
- Reduces damage to shrimp while baiting
Be aware this does reduce hooking effectiveness once in the water.
Add Bait Keeper (Optional)
For added security, use a bait keeper such as bait thread:
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Thread one end of bait thread through the hook eye.
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Wrap the bait thread tightly around the shrimp several times.
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Tie off the thread through the hook eye again.
This helps hold the shrimp snugly on the hook during casting.
Ready to Fish!
Now you’re ready to cast out your perfectly baited shrimp. Remember to use a rod holder and wait for the fish to hook themselves when using circle hooks.
Using whole shrimp as bait is an effective technique matched well with circle hook designs. Follow these baiting steps for securely rigged shrimp that will attract fish bites. Tight lines!
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Putting the hook all the way through the top of the shrimp’s head is one way to catch it alive. This way of fishing is best for bottom fishing, but the shrimp is more likely to slip off the hook. When drift fishing or float-rigging, put the hook through the shrimp’s body across the middle. Avoid the dark spots that look like the stomach and pancreas. If you want to catch cruising fish, cut off the fan on the shrimp’s tail and thread the hook through it. Then, poke it out the bottom. If the shrimp are frozen or dead, cut off the head, feet, and tail fan. Then, thread the hook through the rest of the body. For more tips, like how to store live shrimp, read on.
Keeping Live Shrimp
- What kind of hook would work best for this? Michael Reynolds is the owner of Long Beach, California’s Fishing Lessons by Michael Reynolds and a professional fishing instructor. In the more than 40 years that Michael has been fishing, he has learned a lot about the different ways to fish. He loves teaching people, from newbies to experts, what he knows about fishing. Michael is licensed and bonded with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and has been a fishing guide and teacher for more than five years. The best hooks for fishing shrimp for bait are J-style hooks, according to Michael Reynolds, a professional fishing instructor.
- Michael Reynolds is the owner of Long Beach, California’s Fishing Lessons by Michael Reynolds and a professional fishing instructor. How do I keep the shrimp from flying off the hook? The answer is: In the more than 40 years that Michael has been fishing, he has learned a lot about the different ways to fish. He loves teaching people, from newbies to experts, what he knows about fishing. Michael is licensed and bonded with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and has been a fishing guide and teacher for more than five years. Answer from Michael Reynolds, Professional Fishing Instructor: Wrap the shrimp in sewing thread so it doesn’t fall off when you cast. The color of the thread should match the color of the shrimp—orange is the #1 color that I use.
- Professional Fishing Instructor Michael Reynolds owns Long Beach, California’s Fishing Lessons by Michael Reynolds and is a professional fishing instructor. How do I get more fish to bite shrimp? In the more than 40 years that Michael has been fishing, he has learned a lot about the different ways to fish. He loves teaching people, from newbies to experts, what he knows about fishing. Michael is licensed and bonded with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and has been a fishing guide and teacher for more than five years. Expert Answer from Michael Reynolds: As soon as the anchor is down, run to the front of the boat and throw out the line with the shrimp on it. Let that sink to the bottom. There will be a lot of fish looking for food there because the anchor made a cloud of trash.
- If you want to catch live shrimp, use the smallest and lightest hook possible for that type of fish. This will let the shrimp swim as freely as possible for as long as possible. In general, the bigger and stronger the hook should be, the harder the fish’s mouth is. In these situations, you may also want to use a treble hook instead of a single hook. Most of the time, you won’t need a hook bigger than 3/0 or 4/0. [8] [9] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
- Find out if there are bait shops in the area you want to fish that sell bait shrimp. Also, find out if there are any rules about using shrimp as bait in your area. [10] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
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How to put shrimp on a circle hook the right way
How do I choose a circle hook for live bait?
Here are the two biggest things to remember when it comes to choosing circle hooks for live bait: Both of these points lead to an obvious answer: you want to choose a smaller circle hook when using live bait. For shrimp, I like to use a #1 or #2 circle hook.
How do I choose a circle hook?
The big key when choosing circle hooks for these types of baits is that you need a big enough hook to go through the meat of the bait and get a good hookset. If the hook is too small, it will be harder to get a good hookset. When using dead or cut bait, I usually go with a 4/0 to 6/0 circle hook, depending on the size of the bait.
How do you hook a shrimp?
Insert the hook from under the shrimp’s head, and push the barb out on top, avoiding the vital organs. This method is preferred when fishing the bait off the bottom. Insert the hook through the top of the shrimp’s head, working the point under the vital organs before pushing it out elsewhere on the top of the head.
How do you catch shrimp on a live bait rig?
Using a weighted popping cork may help the shrimp swim upright. With any live bait rig, you need to check your hooked bait once in a while after casting it to see if it is alive or dead. Depending on the fish you’re trying to catch, use the lightest and smallest hook when fishing live shrimp so the shrimp can swim freely.