Never done a great deal of surface fishing before so started giving it a go this summer and its great fun.
I've had a lot of fish and some nice ones too so i haven't exactly struggled but I do seem to miss a fair few bites/takes, I tend to wait a good second or so to ensure the fish has properly taken the bait before striking. I am currently using a size 8 hook but was thinking of trying a larger hook which should lend itself to hooking more fish on the takes.
Would you guys say a size 6 is reasonable, or would of you go even bigger? I know the obvious answer is to just give it a go and see how i get on but wanted your guys' opinions before i go up a size.
I've had a lot of fish and some nice ones too so i haven't exactly struggled but I do seem to miss a fair few bites/takes, I tend to wait a good second or so to ensure the fish has properly taken the bait before striking. I am currently using a size 8 hook but was thinking of trying a larger hook which should lend itself to hooking more fish on the takes.
Would you guys say a size 6 is reasonable, or would of you go even bigger? I know the obvious answer is to just give it a go and see how i get on but wanted your guys' opinions before i go up a size.
In reply to Post #1
I've used size 6 Drennan Super Specialists for 20 years and they are the perfect compromise of size, strength and sharpness. Brilliant hook.
I've used size 6 Drennan Super Specialists for 20 years and they are the perfect compromise of size, strength and sharpness. Brilliant hook.
In reply to Post #1
I use the Korda size 6 Mixas, awesome hook, with what seems like a wide gape for the size. Freelining crust, which is my preferred method of floater fishing i use a size 6/5 ESP gripper.
I use the Korda size 6 Mixas, awesome hook, with what seems like a wide gape for the size. Freelining crust, which is my preferred method of floater fishing i use a size 6/5 ESP gripper.
In reply to Post #1
Depends on what you are using for bait. For dog biscuit sized bait I use 8 or 10s, bread would be 6 or 8s.
Also you need to consider hook weight to match your bait. I'm currently just using drennan wide gape or super specialist in 8 s as I've a lot of them but bigger might work better for you.
I surface fish all year round and on occasions they can be finicky which is when you might miss a take.
Timing is everything, don't wait too long as your hook will be spat out, too early and you will not connect.
Use as soft and fine a line as possible especially in open water, it doesn't take them long to twig the bait is attached to something.
If the bait behaves naturally you will get a more confident take which should make hooking almost a certainty.
Depends on what you are using for bait. For dog biscuit sized bait I use 8 or 10s, bread would be 6 or 8s.
Also you need to consider hook weight to match your bait. I'm currently just using drennan wide gape or super specialist in 8 s as I've a lot of them but bigger might work better for you.
I surface fish all year round and on occasions they can be finicky which is when you might miss a take.
Timing is everything, don't wait too long as your hook will be spat out, too early and you will not connect.
Use as soft and fine a line as possible especially in open water, it doesn't take them long to twig the bait is attached to something.
If the bait behaves naturally you will get a more confident take which should make hooking almost a certainty.
In reply to Post #2
Me too, the perfect surface fishing hook IMO.....
Me too, the perfect surface fishing hook IMO.....
In reply to Post #1
Hair rigging a bait is a must IMO. Gives plenty of room for a size 8 to find it's way in the bottom lip. I found a pop up a better alternative to fake mixers, as they sit higher up in the surface film so the carp don't treat them any different to the mixers that don't have any weight attach to drag them further down.
One thing you could try is hand sharpened hooks. Because of the 4-6ft hooklength, there may not be that immediate weight there to set the hook, so a large XL Fox bubble float with a hand sharpened hook should help.
Hair rigging a bait is a must IMO. Gives plenty of room for a size 8 to find it's way in the bottom lip. I found a pop up a better alternative to fake mixers, as they sit higher up in the surface film so the carp don't treat them any different to the mixers that don't have any weight attach to drag them further down.
One thing you could try is hand sharpened hooks. Because of the 4-6ft hooklength, there may not be that immediate weight there to set the hook, so a large XL Fox bubble float with a hand sharpened hook should help.
In reply to Post #1
last season used size 10 Esp curve shanx (cryogen) and reflo power line (7lb) to very good effect.
The hooks may be small and the line light but landed carp to 38lb off the top in very weedy conditions. That was hair rigging 12mm shaved down pop ups with the hair tight to the hook.
I think it's a case of go whatever your confident in. It is my belief, and some may share it, the lighter the line and the smaller the hook the more chance you have of a bite as there is less for the fish to see. I use these with a 10ft hook length up to the controller float.
last season used size 10 Esp curve shanx (cryogen) and reflo power line (7lb) to very good effect.
The hooks may be small and the line light but landed carp to 38lb off the top in very weedy conditions. That was hair rigging 12mm shaved down pop ups with the hair tight to the hook.
I think it's a case of go whatever your confident in. It is my belief, and some may share it, the lighter the line and the smaller the hook the more chance you have of a bite as there is less for the fish to see. I use these with a 10ft hook length up to the controller float.
In reply to Post #7
Totally agree that we must consider the carps vision.
I sometimes experiment on a very easy day ticket water to test my new tackle or technique and amongst other things I've tried is hair rigging floaters.
My experience is the take rate ( typically over 30 casts ) is definitely reduced over a buried hook and even more so by a larger hook if it's visible.
Takes will still be had from some directions but I'm convinced the carp with the better sight can spot a hook, line or even the imprint of the line on the surface itself.
Totally agree that we must consider the carps vision.
I sometimes experiment on a very easy day ticket water to test my new tackle or technique and amongst other things I've tried is hair rigging floaters.
My experience is the take rate ( typically over 30 casts ) is definitely reduced over a buried hook and even more so by a larger hook if it's visible.
Takes will still be had from some directions but I'm convinced the carp with the better sight can spot a hook, line or even the imprint of the line on the surface itself.
In reply to Post #1
I love surface fishing - but I think i'm in a minority here as I go for smaller hooks. usually a 10, maybe an 8 if the fish are bigger.
for me it's about hook sharpness - might sound obvious, but with the lower resistance on the take, it's paramount to get that initial connection from a sharp hook.
I also mix up my hooklengths and am not averse to going shorter - I ve caught plenty on just 1ft hooklength to a small controller float on sunny days.
hair rigged chunk of breadcrust among a few free bits (tricky if the birds are about) can be dynamite.
travel light and move around the water if you can. if they are at distance, a decent catapult will help you out as the freebies will get them competing before you add your hookbait to the mix.
got a few days of sun coming so the perfect time to give it a go!
I love surface fishing - but I think i'm in a minority here as I go for smaller hooks. usually a 10, maybe an 8 if the fish are bigger.
for me it's about hook sharpness - might sound obvious, but with the lower resistance on the take, it's paramount to get that initial connection from a sharp hook.
I also mix up my hooklengths and am not averse to going shorter - I ve caught plenty on just 1ft hooklength to a small controller float on sunny days.
hair rigged chunk of breadcrust among a few free bits (tricky if the birds are about) can be dynamite.
travel light and move around the water if you can. if they are at distance, a decent catapult will help you out as the freebies will get them competing before you add your hookbait to the mix.
got a few days of sun coming so the perfect time to give it a go!
Freelining crust or flake happy to use a 2 or 4 Drennan super specialist.
Anything else size 8.
Anything else size 8.
In reply to Post #9
I'm a smaller hook person as well, a size 8 or 10 Drennan Super Specialist is my preference for dog biscuits, and I have landed loads of carp to over 20lb and plenty of chub on those hooks.
I'm more worried about the hooklengths I use, depending on the size of the fish, snags, weed and the like.
I normally tie a uni-knot loop at the end, put a floating dog biscuit in the loop, (usually a large Bakers Complete meaty), pull it tight then tie knotless knot the hook on with the bait tight to the hook.
I'm a smaller hook person as well, a size 8 or 10 Drennan Super Specialist is my preference for dog biscuits, and I have landed loads of carp to over 20lb and plenty of chub on those hooks.
I'm more worried about the hooklengths I use, depending on the size of the fish, snags, weed and the like.
I normally tie a uni-knot loop at the end, put a floating dog biscuit in the loop, (usually a large Bakers Complete meaty), pull it tight then tie knotless knot the hook on with the bait tight to the hook.
In reply to Post #11
Size 12 mixa for me for all open water stuff stepping up to a 10 or 8 if its a little bit weedy etc. I've got to say the mixa hooks really are very good, strong enough to do the job, very sharp and light enough not to unbalance a hookbait to much, quiet often you can get a few captures out of one hook too.
Size 12 mixa for me for all open water stuff stepping up to a 10 or 8 if its a little bit weedy etc. I've got to say the mixa hooks really are very good, strong enough to do the job, very sharp and light enough not to unbalance a hookbait to much, quiet often you can get a few captures out of one hook too.
99% of the time i use a korda wide gape size 8, with two presoaked mixers hooked on.