Fish managers thought that circle hooks would help save striped bass. That was the assumption when they created a rule in 2020 requiring anglers to use circle hooks when fishing with bait for striped bass.
Preliminary studies from the late 1990s suggested that circle hooks result in lower rates of gut hooking than regular J-hooks. However, those studies relied on an older scientific method that used cages to monitor survival for 2-3 days after fish were caught. Additionally, the style of circle hooks available today are quite different than were available 25 years ago.
For these reasons, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) biologists conducted a study using modern circle hooks and modern scientific methods to measure the conservation benefit of the “striped bass circle hook rule”.
Over two years, they caught 716 striped bass with J-hooks and three popular circle hooks models. Before releasing them, they tagged nearly half of these fish with electronic transmitters that measured tail beats. Using an array of receiver buoys, they remotely monitored their survival for two months.
In an article on their website DMF said, “Surprisingly, we found no significant difference in mortality between any of the circle hooks and J-hooks. Why is this? Well, we have a few ideas: first, there isn’t much difference in the gap width (distance from hook point to shaft) between modern circle hooks and J-hooks, whereas older circle hook models used to have a much narrower gap. Also, the earlier studies relied on chunked menhaden for bait, and many of our fish were caught using live mackerel.”
It’s important to remember that this rule also prevents fishing with baited treble hooks, which used to be a common practice. An ongoing follow-up study suggests that both bait fishing and treble hooks cause more injury than lures with single hooks.
Visit Evaluating the conservation benefit of circle hooks for the Atlantic Striped Bass recreational fishery .

Learn about surf and wetsuit fishing from the experts
Lean surf casting strategies and tactics from surfcasting experts Jeff Sullivan and Paul Chapman at a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) seminar Monday, October 28, 7:00 p.m. at the West Warwick Elks Lodge, 60 Clyde Street, West Warwick.
This duo will speak about how to target, approach, and prepare for surfcasting and wetsuit fishing including tips, tactics, and gear for targeting striped bass during spring to fall in our coastal waters..
Sullivan, a contributing writer for “The Fisherman” magazine and “On the Water” magazine, is an associate at Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, RI and is a mate on “K&M Coastal Charters”. Paul Chapman has been featured in “On The Water” magazine, is a “Striper Cup” tournament winner, and avid surf casting enthusiast.
Food will be available for purchase by Five-0-Five Fusion Catering starting at 5:30 p.m. Active RISAA members are free, non-members are asked to make a $10 donation to the RISAA Scholarship Fund. Contact Scott Travers, Executive Director at 401-826-2121 or travers@risaa.org for information.

Where’s the bite?
Striped bass, bluefish, bonito. Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “Fish coming from the beach , rocks, and back in the ponds. We had a full moon last week which has ramped up the amount of water moving. The increase in water movement has been causing bait to get flushed out of the ponds and bigger fish taking full advantage. Large amounts of peanut bunker have begun to move out of the pond. Pond fishing has been great this week with solid sized fish being caught on large soft plastics and top water spooks. Mullet are still cruising around in schools in the farthest back coves. Reports of nice sized fish coming from the beach at night as an alternative. We have had some bay anchovies along the beach this week bluefish as well as shad have been on them.”
Ed Lombardo, expert fly fisher and instructor, said, “I fished Narrow River last week and for the first time since the spring we got into a nice number of shad and striped bass. I’d say seven bass mostly 18” to 20” and one beautiful fish at 30”. I went fishing this Monday and caught one striped bass at 24” and another at 32”, all on my Ed’fly hot pink or all burgundy colors!”
“Anglers have been catching striped bass in Narragansett Bay as schools of fish have been popping up everywhere. And, a special treat bonito have entered the Bay too. Anglers fishing from the Rocky Point Fishing Pier were even able to hook up with bonito,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick.
East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “The Canal has heated up for October! “Jumpin Joe” England caught a 37-inch striper with a 5-ounce green mack FishLab during the rising east flow and Bill “On the Grill” Prodouz watched a 34-inch bass explode on his 3-ounce white Guppy JoBo on the same tide as well as a 32 incher later.”
Tautog. The tautog limit increased October 15 from three fish/person to five fish/person with one fish larger than 21” allowed, all others must be between 16” and under 21”, a ten fish per boat limit is in place. Giddings of the Tackle Box, said, “It has been windy this week but anglers getting out before high winds were catching keeper tautog to their limit from Conimicut Point to the Newport and Jamestown bridges.”
“Black fishing is red hot, most boats finding their limit. With a good short to keeper ratio. Make sure your rigs are tied well and your line is strong enough to handle a big fish taking you into the rocks. You dont want to lose your biggest blackfish of the season,” said O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle.
Freshwater fishing. The largemouth bass bite has been good as fish are starting to stage in fall areas. Trout stocking locations in Massachusetts are updated daily, visit Trout stocking report | Mass.gov for an interactive map. Visit www.dem.ri.gov/fishing for ponds stocked in RI.
Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.