Increased Catch Rates with Circle Hooks in Cod Bottom Longlines

摘要

Fishing efficiency of circle hooks was compared with traditional straight J-hooks through comparative fishing trials on the southwest coast of Newfoundland, Canada at water depths between 91 and 237m. Squid, herring and mackerel wer eused as bait. Comparison of the circle hooks (size 11/0) and the traditional J-hyooks (# 16) was made with alternating 25 hook blocks. A total of 3865 cod (Gadus morhua L.) were caught, representing an average catch rate of 15 cod per 100 hooks. The overall catch rate of the circle hooks (mean 17.2 cod per 100 hooks) was 42.4