Traditional hooks are called "J hooks," because they look like the letter. Circle hooks have points that curve back toward the shank. These can help prevent gut-hooking striped bass, which means a lower mortality rate when fish are released.
Kevin Blinkoff, of On The Water magazine, talks about how to fish a circle hook, and offers tips for better catch-and-release, in this week's episode. And we round up the local fishing action. Give it a listen.
Here's a link to the full Massachusetts regulation on circle hooks.