How to hook live bait for surf?

So I’ve caught many pinfish and small blue runners from the surf and have put them back out on a circle hook. I have had the rod go off 6 times so far and zero hookups. I have been hooking them behind the anal fin 5 times and this morning on a pinfish through the nostrils. I have had the spool set pretty loose for when they eat and run then tighten the drag when they stop and reel into them and I can feel the weight of the fish and then they are gone. I wonder if it’s the type of circle hook, maybe the size? Maybe the gap between the hook point and shaft? Any insight would be great on if I am hooking them incorrectly or if you can lead me to a better “live bait” hook.

thanks in advance

blessings

gooseboy

I usually hook small baitfish thru the eyesockets, using a fairly light wire hook.

You might try a Kahle hook. Sort of a cross between a circle and a J.
You can set it, or let it set itself. If the fish hammers the bait, circles are good,...if they nibble and sort of saunter off,...that can be a problem.

Well I went to J&M they hooked me up, literally. Should be all set! Went back to “J” hooks. Thanks all

J&M is always helpful with correct info

Circle hooks are the work of the devil. I always roll snake eyes using them. I do a lot better with khale hooks. A size #2 will handle just about anything in the surf. Size #6 or #4 for whiting. Good luck. A local guy at a bait shop put me on the Owner Inshore Slam black nickel(size #2) and I have good results and they are very corrosion resistant. Just wish they made them in a size #4.

Yup. Yesterday was a lot better with J hooks with cut whiting and hookups, I also changed out the short trace of wire for 40lb leader. Two black nose and one I believe was a sharp nose, only one swing and a miss, a few hard heads and gafftops, Dumb thing about it was I couldn’t catch any baitfish on my standard set up like I was all week to see how the hooks performed. So it goes I guess. Thanks for the input

blessings

gooseboy

We use #3 circles on all our noodles jug fishing. Secret is to hang the bait on the hook.Nothing between the point and shank.Works great on catfish for us. Fast baiting up too.we can put out 70 noodles in 15 minutes.The bait is top secret.