Hello everyone, its me again. I have run out of my favoured esp grippers which I use for all my fishing, but are out of stock where I want to purchase them, so my question is: What bottom bait hooks do you use for your fishing or alternatives to the esp's

In reply to Post #1
I really rate bank tackle hooks. Dirt cheap and far better quality than many of the main brands.

In reply to Post #1
I've heard good things about Bank Tackle hooks but not tried them personally. I've also just bought some Mosquito Hooks based on a recommendation on here and they seem good too. Both a cheap option.

For bottom baits, I tend to go for a fairly straight hook, currently using Nash Fang Gaper or Atomic Claw, both really good hooks.

Tried bank tackle ones myself and wasn't overly impressed. I think more people like the price more than the hook. I don't think you can beat Gardner hooks. Muggas and wide gapes are good strong hooks

Angling iron wide gapes. The best hooks I've ever used.

In reply to Post #1
Korda wide gape x for me, there isn't a better bottom bait hook in my opinion, very sharp out the packet and can sharpen them up to needles and still super strong, brilliant hooks, used to use esp grippers, really good hooks but had a couple open up on me, would still use them though.

In reply to Post #1
Currently using Korum Specimen in a size 6 for all my bottom bait fishing, they've been great even when I've had to really apply pressure, sharpen up well too.

Any of the gardner range . Tried the bank tackle hooks and they are utter rubbish imo, some things just aren't worth skimping on

In reply to Post #1
Mosquito angling wide gape sp's for me on the bottom

Daz

In reply to Post #8
Out of interest what issue did you have with the hooks? Ive used them for a while and I'm pretty convinced they are the exact same hooks as some of the main brainds, just unbranded.

Gardner mugggas, gardner wide gaps, esp trig hammers or j precision hooks are the ones i use, seen the bank tackle ones first hand and not overly impressed like mentioned already bellow think it's more the price people like than the actual hook and let's be honest £4/£5 for 10 hooks ain't exactly expensive anyway for the better known hooks

In reply to Post #10
Bending very easily and points going over easily too. Imo they don't compare to better brands

In reply to Post #12
Was that recently? Ive only been using them this year and really cant fault them.

Gardner Muggas, Solar 101's are my go to hooks for bottom bait fishing.

In reply to Post #13
Last year mate

I use the ESP cryogen grippers (in barbless) for all of my bottom bait fishing. Sharp out of the packet and seem to hold their sharpness/points well.

In reply to Post #1
generally for bottom bait fishing id use a beaked point hook like a wide gape or fox ssbp or gardner talon

straight points have the 'potential' to catch a twig/stone debris on lake bed and either blunt or mask the point.

In reply to Post #7
Been using them too for the last 12 months. £1.55 per 10 pack.

Until a few years ago I mostly used stiff hook links with long shanks, Fox from the 90's until they buggered it up with the notched eyes on the Armo, now I have a large stock of Carp Spirit Razor ones so I don't run out for a very long time.
If fishing braid as I have done the last few years it was a curve shank but now it's Korda Krank.

Bank Tackle hooks, I used the Curve shank a very good hook, no issues with the points, easy to re sharpen as more a traditional tapered point.

Some of the other BT patterns though do tend to go over but the reason is because they are so bloody thin and sharp, some of the sharpest I've used, think not knowing the hook is in your skin by several mm.
Alas I treated them as single use rigs which is not for me, probably fits in well with newer anglers though.

In reply to Post #1
I use the Grippers too in size 5. Korda wide gape size 6 is a very similar hook. I used them before I switched to Grippers. Both hooks do the job for me.

If you can live with a lighter straight pointed hook then the Drennan Barbel Specialists are also great hooks, but not as strong as the two others.

In reply to Post #19
What do you mean by notched eyes on armo hooks?

In reply to Post #19
Yes the bank hooks are thin wire, too thin. As for being super sharp out of the pack? Nah not from my experience. They are average at best for sharpness imo.

In reply to Post #1
My go to bottom bait rig is a slip D tied on a conventional long shank. Happy
Using for bottom baits and wafters.

In reply to Post #23
Bet you need a large hook for a waiter!! (Sorry, couldn't resist)

In reply to Post #24
Ha! Edited

In reply to Post #21
I've put pictures on the forum of this before, the closing of the eye, there's a v shaped notch near the shank, if using braid it gets caught in the bloody thing and presentation goes up the swanny, not to mention if the notch hasn't been finished off properly it damages the braid. I'll try and take a pic and edit in
@ip100, depends on the hook pattern I guess.

Here you go Heff, shocking finish to the eye.! I did complain about it to Fox, their reply, there's some discussion in the office as to whether they're Fox hooks....I'd probably been using Fox hooks longer than most of them have been alive

In reply to Post #26
Not something ive noticed on the newer edges hooks to be honest. There is still the groove on one side of the eye, but never had that cause any issues for me