Someone wrote:


IMO A good fisherman can catch more fish with live bait than he will
with any artificial. Not as much fun though and I think the mortality is
greater using live bait.

That used to be the accepted wisdom. But (ironically) bait fishing
with circle hooks is beginning to change that. Even when a fish
bites down hard and holds on (doesn't spit, because it's bait)
a circle hook still doesn't grab until line tension pulls the hook
forward to the corner of the mouth.

In other words: many now think that circle hooks and bait cause
less hooking damage (and subsequent mortality) than, for instance,
streamer fishing with long, large, straigt point hook.