Fluke Hook Size

[Billfish715]

The original thread about fluke season touched on some sensitive and controversial issues. One of those issues was about quotas and the formulas that are used to determine those quotas. An element that is used in the equation is the mortality ( dead fish) ratio of those fluke that are released.

The science estimates the mortality rate to be about 10% based on current fishing size regulations and fishing practices. This study done by FDU recommends using larger ( up to 9/0 ) hooks to reduce mortality. Their study seems to indicate that larger hooks will catch larger fish while reducing the number of smaller fish which would have to be released and possibly die. Using smaller hooks will catch more fish including many more undersized fish. The more undersized fish that are caught and released increases the number of fish that will die. Fewer released fish means fewer dead fish. If the mortality rate is decreased, the formula to create a quota shifts in our favor. Those released fish ( 10% mortality) are credited to the recreational total of caught fish.

If using bigger hooks means less mortality and less mortality means that we can have more reasonable size and bag limit, then I'm for using bigger hooks even though I use 6/0 hooks now.

http://static1.squarespace.com/stati...h+Combined.pdf

[RussH]

Fluke have humongous mouths but a 9/0 hook seems crazy. I know there's a guy here who gets lot of heat because he proudly dead sticks size 4 hooks but he claims next to no gut hooks. I'd say a 4/0 to 6/0 is reasonable and those mortality numbers are more due to mishandling than anything else. I can't remember the last time I gut hooked a fish that wasn't a keeper in that size range.

[shrimpman steve]

I use 8/0 and 9/0. If you think they're to big your wrong

Even a 15 inch fish will take a hook that large with no problem.

[Billfish715]

The idea of using larger hooks to reduce mortality has merit. If we can show a reduction of fish mortality, we might have a better argument to change our fluke regulations to something more reasonable.

[arat]

I usually use minimum 6/0 I have used as large as 8/0 not sure I've jumped to 9/0 yet. They eat the 6-7/0 just fine

[fishguy]

A 9/0 seems pretty yuge for fluke but whatever floats your boat. 5/0 octopus is my personal go-to hook.

If you really want to cut down on fluke mortality than don't use English bend hooks. Absolute worst hooks ever.

Cue the outraged flukers....

[Capt John]

Want to reduce the amount of gut hooked Fluke?....bucktails! Ever since I've fished with them exclusively on Fluke trips, the overwhelming majority of fish hooked have been in the corner of the mouth and nowhere near the gullet. Sure they cost more than your plain-jane rig that you drag along the bottom, but something has to give if you are sincere about preserving the species. And, as a added bonus, it's a hell of a lot more fun once you learn the technique.

[MrAC1980]

Yep I just went to bucktails not long ago too and haven't looked back. But I think this question can be said about teaser hook size too. I'm also in the 6/0 club except when I go to MA then I step up to 8/0.

[bunker dunker]

bucktails save lives!!!!!

[bulletbob]

Bucktails make sense if you want less mortality from deep hooked shorts.. much less damage done, and very effective.. Bait guys can just put a spearing, killie or squid strip on if it makes them feel better..
You don't need $7 each bucktails either. Plain Jane's work just fine, including unpainted leadheads with a plastic tail or Gulp... bob