If I were using circle hooks with large bait, I would hook it through the back, as close to the tail as I could get, without having to worry about it pulling out. Lakers will swallow the bait head first, so when you apply tension to the line, the hook comes out first and doesn't have as much baitfish to get in the way. Of course, this implies you are giving the fish plenty of time to swallow the bait. If you are catch and release oriented, circle hooks are the way to go.