Selecting the right choice and size of hook pattern is the most important part of any set-up as getting this wrong can make or break a match, or lose you that fish of a lifetime.
Just because a particular pattern of hook is popular or a professional angler uses them, doesn’t mean they’re the right pattern for the job in hand and there are several things to assess when making that choice.
This applies to heavyweight commercial carp hooks or super fine roach patterns for bloodworm and pinkies in winter. Think about these things...
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Hook Points
Firstly, the hook must have a very sharp, but durable point. There’s nothing worse than constantly changing a hook because it loses its sharpness and is costing you fish.
If you have a run of fish slipping the hook, check the sharpness by running the point over your thumbnail. If it glides smoothly, it’s fine. If there’s a juddering, bin it and tie on another one.
SHARPENING HOOKS IS ONE EDGE BIG CARP ANGLER ADAM PENNING LOVES. GET MORE OF HIS BEST TIPS HERE.
Hook Strength
Strength is very important too, as if the hook is brittle it will break. If the wire is too soft, however, it will straighten out easily.
The hook’s tempering, achieved in the manufacturing process, needs to be just right as if it’s been overtempered, the hook will break and the fish will be lost, whereas if it opens slightly under extreme pressure you can still land the fish.
Hook Shanks
Shank length must also be considered, especially when catching small fish quickly or baiting up fast with small baits like bloodworm. A longer shank on small hooks also helps to keep the fish on once it is hooked.
Spade End Hooks
The spade also needs some scrutiny. If it is too small, then the whipping can pull over it and the fish will be lost, while if the spade is too big you’re in danger of hooking the fish with the spade as it masks the actual hook on the strike, resulting in just a blob of snot on the spade and no fish!
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Hook Eyes
Eyed hooks are used a lot nowadays on commercial fisheries and most prefer the eye to be as small as possible. With hooks regularlytied with knotless knots, however, it must also be big enough to pass the line through twice, even when using small hooks.
Hook Colour
The finish or colour of the hook must be smooth. All hooks, even bronze patterns, are coated to stop rusting and if that coating is rough, this impedes penetration and hooking baits like maggots becomes difficult, resulting in burst baits.
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