Quote from Lt. Sean Reilly of the NYSDEC on Striped Bass Circle Hook Requirement for this year

[george]

In case you haven't listened to the podcast yet, I urge you to give it a try. The following is a quote from DEC Enforcement

Lt. Sean Reilly:
So the circle hook is going to be for using worms, baitfish like bunker chum, or using chilies, or spearing, or using squid. But if you're using pork rinds or something that's not a Marine bait, then that'll be exempt from it. But all lures will, as of the way it's going to be this year, will be exempt from circle hooks.

All lures will be exempt from the circle hook law this year.

If you like to listen to the show you can click here and I highly suggest you do. It's quite revealing with a ton of info, much of which I was surprised to see. If you have an iPhone simply say "Play the New York Podcast" and the same goes for Android only say hey Google play the New York Fishing Podcast.

 

[pequa1]

What I didn't hear was if you are fishing for fluke, weaks, small blues must you still use a circle hook if livelining a peanut or small snapper? I ask because in late July and through september when I do catch these "baits" I catch the aforementioned species but have NEVER caught a striper in the area that I fish (backbay.) Is the circle hook for "targeting" stripers or for any species of fish when using actual marine bait ?