I'm not suffering from the habit of trying to bury the hook as you would do with a conventional hook as I'm taking the rod out of the holder after the fish gone for a run.

What is your drag setting like at the hook up stage?

 Yeah in fish with hard mouths you need to make sure the hook is well set. A few slowish 'strikes' help for added security when you think the hooks set

 Been using them for years when dermisal fishing. 

I tend to be holding the rod or at least getting it out of holder pretty fast so i can feel what is going on. Once i'm sure the fish has got a good gob full and not just mouthing it i pull up fairly slow but as much range as the rod will allow. That gets a good set by taking up any current slack/bow. Then i go hard for the first 5m or so to get them away from the reef with short but solid lifts. I then tend to go slower as they come up, not because i'm old and tired, but to reduce bara trauma. I cant remember the last time a fish got off near surface and i have got a few in that were just lip hooked.

You might have a technique problem Peco so concentrate on what YOU are doing when catching, but most probably you have just had some bad luck on the last few fish. Shit does happen, especially if you dont want it to.

Generally the drag has been pretty tight and certainly tight enough to put a significant bend in the rod when the fish takes off.

If the drag is tight enought then you shouldnt have the fish run too much on hook up (especially with wanting a solid circle hook "hookup"). A fish that peels off a descent amount of line generally wont get a good hook set.

Hutch is on the money and thats what we do. Let the fish hook itself with the circle, rod loads up then pump strike a few times to ensure that the chemically sharpened hook has penetrated the mouth plate area.

Works for us, all the best

Yes, I concur that I must have a technique problem and your comment about the fish going on a long run after hook up makes obvious sense. Ill follow your advise and I'm sure my results will improve. Much better than frustration and mouthing expletives that I'm sure were heard in Kalbarri.

 Are they offset circles Peko? If not coudl be part of the problem too. But as above it's about timing I ususally feel the good taps and know it's about to hit thenm strike hard. But like you say ya don't win em all.

 Think i might of seen you leaving woodies ramp yesterday arvo, nice rig if it is. 

how did you guys go out there? 

Justin 

 Being your drag was reasonably tight a decent fish should hook itself up on offset circles ..  I’d also be looking at how your hook presents on the bait , I tend to leave a reasonable bit of the barb out .  

Otherwise it could be a rockfish , I've caught a few of those drifting thinking they were big dhuies .. 

 end up anchoring the boat with my 80lb braid to the demersal jiggers delight.