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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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)
Bet you need a large hook for a waiter!!
(Sorry, couldn't resist)
In reply to Post #24
Ha! Edited
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
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
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