Best rod action for circle hooks?

[STLbluesNmuds]

I was wondering what everyones rod action of choice is for blues. Is there reason or a scientific explanation why?
I have never had a problem with circle hooks. Even with gar or on a slow bite, I just pick my rod up and feel for the hook to catch, and when it does I reel in slowly and lift slowly and when I feel a hard tug I give a little tug back.
On the agressive cats they set themselves 95% of the time. All I have are Medium and Medium/Heavy rods, and was wondering what the best type of action is.
I have fished rivers and in the calm water above the dam.
I will make this multiple choice for different situations.

[m slayton]

once you get the hang of circle hooks , you can use them on any rod for any fish <-- again [imo] i use em in salt and fresh water and there great for catching small baits with out gut hooking the fish just buy the tiny circle hooks the bait never dies due to swallowing the hook . take a lil time and practic tho gl also we use circle hooks on all rods from the ultra lite to the heavy action rods they all work the same just the weaker rods i tend to reel faster to set the hook and i also sometimes give a tug on the rod as a back up to make sure the hook is set no problems

[ShilohRed]

As Matt posted it does not matter what rod with circle hooks. As its more in how you use the rod rather then the rod its self. The rod comes into play in the fight of the fish. Now if your using a rod with a whip action tip and that tip goes down to the butt of the rod say 12 ft or so. Then it would help with setting the hook. As that rod would in turn allow that fish to turn then the hook do its job.
But as with circle hook's when a fish swim's off with the bait thus turning to the side any amount then that's when a circle hook can work. For that reason when people have a fish hit and they swing that rod say 9ft as you set the hook and most will turn there body also. The hook is jerked out of the fishes mouth when the head of that fish is still pointing toward them.
Being that head has to be turned some toward the left or right up or down, along with swimming away. Does allow the hook to dig in. Now think of it this way, when a fish take's your bait 99% of the time its moving toward that bait. If that movement is toward you there's slack in the line that alone will cause the hook to not work. And a lot of times with a J hook when this happens you hang the fish along the outside of the head or the sides. But with circle hook that is hard to do. But allow that fish to turn and you reel down on that fish and its turned just a bit. Guess where that hook is going to be? You got it in the jaw where it needs to be. But just one part of this goes wrong and your fish is gone..
So for me the rod does not come into play on a circle hook. Other then if your using a XX Heavy Action that can't bend any at all. Then it may well cause you to miss a few more fish.
Again this is my feelings and even though I have been fishing with circle hooks for over 30 years on and off. I will still forget I'm using one some days and there goes a fish.

Pete

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[kitsinni]

I voted medium, but it really depends on the rod manufacturer.

[puddle jumper]

[QUOTE=ShilohRed; As its more in how you use the rod rather then the rod its self.
Pete[/QUOTE]

Wow,,, Now where have I heard that before????
:thinking:

A quick word to clairify a point... "Action" refers to where the rod bends,"flex see below",, fast, med fast, med. , and slow,,,
the answers you have refer to "power" or how strong a rod is...

Thanks for the question,,
PJ

[STLbluesNmuds]

Thanks PJ, ya I think that is what I meant.

[Savage]

I have fished with circles forever now and have all different rod types.
In my own experience it goes like this:
fish runs with bait, allow fish to run 5-10seconds, enjoy baitclicker sound, pick up rod, either engage reel or put thumb over spool, fish on.
I dont do any of the point rod at fish stuff or anything. If the hooks are good and sharp I dont think its going to matter. I have a good assortment of different action rods and treat them all the same. :)

[kitsinni]

I have fished with circles forever now and have all different rod types.
In my own experience it goes like this:
fish runs with bait, allow fish to run 5-10seconds, enjoy baitclicker sound, pick up rod, either engage reel or put thumb over spool, fish on.
I dont do any of the point rod at fish stuff or anything. If the hooks are good and sharp I dont think its going to matter. I have a good assortment of different action rods and treat them all the same. :)

Where it matters is when your not doing the "allow fish to run 5-10seconds, enjoy baitclicker sound" part. When you are fishing with circles and not allowing the fish to run with the bait that is where the action of the rod comes in to play.

[Madtownangler]

I use medium heavy on all my catfishing rods, because it's usually rated for 10-25 pound line which is what I use, unless I'm using braided.

[777]

The medium and medium heavy action rods will work better with circle hooks, especially when you are using braided line. A heavy action rod will cost you fish whith circle hooks.