3 out of 4 fish I get to the boat have swallowed the HOOK!? [censored]!! Is the bite always a pick up and swim off?

Generally...many times they hit it on the fall...gotta be a line watcher

Thanks I may try colored line cause I do catch numbers this way. (not big ones but it keeps my ADD in check)

Get high-vis yellow braid and tie on a flouro leader, makes all the difference when line watching.

i have tried circle hooks when i fish from my kayak as it rocks and moves around a lot even in a soft wind, hard to detect strikes unless they run with it. circle hook reduces that by 90% but i do not hook up quite as much with it. i still use a regular wacky hook from a boat. just have to watch the line like the others said

I use 30# power pro braid on wacky rig. Straight shank 2/0 hook. No problems with not feeling them bite.

What others have said about hi vis braid works really well. Make sure to really pay attention on the fall. I try to keep a semi slack line and can feel the tick of a bite pretty well.

Learn the through the gill hook removal technique and deep hooking will bother you less.

Feel the fish solidly before setting the hook too. Get all the slack out, it helps!

This. It works with any light line application

Try the Circle Hook again. There is nothing you can do to completely stop them swallowing the hook. Some days they are just "TOO SNEAKY"! The best I have found is the 2/0 Daiichi Wacky Circle hook. The key to ANY circle hook is not to jerk or set the hook. When the fish swims off just reel tight and pull sideways and it will have a higher hook up ratio than a regular hook and and and they can't throw the hook!

http://www.ttiblakemore.com/product/d48z-catch-and-release-for-plastics-bleeding-bait-finish/

Since I really began watching the line really well I have had much fewer gut hooks. I actually can't remember one recently.

Thanks for the advice I'm going to try circle hooks today.

Line over finger. You'll feel it before you see the line move.

I use floro for sensitivity and watch the line. It rarely happens to me.

Use a short shank hook and remove the barb. Easy in and easy out.

Gammy Octopus or Owner Mosquito