Just back from a session on my club lake, really annoyed to lose one this morning which fell off after about 5 seconds or so. I was using small hooks (for me) Size 7 Chod Twisters in barbless, I've never had a problem before with them but fish them basic complicated style... I'm hoping it was just not hooked properly but it's the first fish I've lost in years so it got me thinking maybe I need to up the size...
In reply to Post #1
Its quite possible the hook didn't go far enough into the mouth to get a good hookhold.
I know it's basic, but my personal way is:
Fish hooked deeply in mouth or cheek hair is too long.
Fish hooked at extreme edge of lips or lost fish, hair is too short.
Fish hooked dead centre of lip, hair perfect.
That is my personal opinion.
On barbless patterns I do prefer the curved patterns, inturned eye, it seems to me to offer better hooking potential, my choice is the Gardner Mugga Barbless, ye gods are they sharp.
Its quite possible the hook didn't go far enough into the mouth to get a good hookhold.
I know it's basic, but my personal way is:
Fish hooked deeply in mouth or cheek hair is too long.
Fish hooked at extreme edge of lips or lost fish, hair is too short.
Fish hooked dead centre of lip, hair perfect.
That is my personal opinion.
On barbless patterns I do prefer the curved patterns, inturned eye, it seems to me to offer better hooking potential, my choice is the Gardner Mugga Barbless, ye gods are they sharp.
In reply to Post #1
If it's the first one you've lost in years, why change? Maybe it was foul hooked to begin with 🤷🏻♀️
If it's the first one you've lost in years, why change? Maybe it was foul hooked to begin with 🤷🏻♀️
Ok don't abuse me as personal opinion-
I always use barbless hooks unless on a weedy water.
The biggest hook I use is an 8 and usually a 10 - mostly wide gape with 15mm bait.
Most of my fish are hooked bottom lip and still require ‘unhooking.
For me the less metal the better, the less movement. The thinner wire is far easier to sharpen. Last week I landed 4 x 30s and a 40 along with 20s and doubles, I had one fall off but that was more about me noddying around than the arrangement. Small, barbless and sharp is my mantra. I haven't used bigger than an 8 in over 20 years - the biggest drawback is wafters become pop ups...
I always use barbless hooks unless on a weedy water.
The biggest hook I use is an 8 and usually a 10 - mostly wide gape with 15mm bait.
Most of my fish are hooked bottom lip and still require ‘unhooking.
For me the less metal the better, the less movement. The thinner wire is far easier to sharpen. Last week I landed 4 x 30s and a 40 along with 20s and doubles, I had one fall off but that was more about me noddying around than the arrangement. Small, barbless and sharp is my mantra. I haven't used bigger than an 8 in over 20 years - the biggest drawback is wafters become pop ups...
In reply to Post #1
Don't change a thing just because after many years you lost one fish.
I'm sure most people would love that success rate, I know I would.
Don't change a thing just because after many years you lost one fish.
I'm sure most people would love that success rate, I know I would.
In reply to Post #1
Just a bad hook hold. Probably just nipped it.
Small hooks.... sharper(go in easier), hold\retain better, and barbless go in easier.
Just a bad hook hold. Probably just nipped it.
Small hooks.... sharper(go in easier), hold\retain better, and barbless go in easier.
Cheers All!
Rather then start a new one on barbless hooks, Can anyone recommend a longshank pattern for bottom baits?
In reply to Post #8
I've also been looking at long shank patterns lately, the trighammers are blinding but few stories of them opening out put me off. I've settled on the ESP slammers and just extending the shank with line aligned shrink tube. Angling iron do a very sharp decent long shank and Nash long twisters also very popular
I've also been looking at long shank patterns lately, the trighammers are blinding but few stories of them opening out put me off. I've settled on the ESP slammers and just extending the shank with line aligned shrink tube. Angling iron do a very sharp decent long shank and Nash long twisters also very popular
In reply to Post #2
Hi Nick, seen many times you're a keen mugga fan. do you really think they are that sharp out of the pack? genuine question - ive been hook hunting lately and found many newer hooks that are a fair bit sharper. do you sharpen yours or something
Hi Nick, seen many times you're a keen mugga fan. do you really think they are that sharp out of the pack? genuine question - ive been hook hunting lately and found many newer hooks that are a fair bit sharper. do you sharpen yours or something
In reply to Post #9
Medium or Short shank Hook with Shrink tube line alligner far more effective, and kinder on the mouth.
Medium or Short shank Hook with Shrink tube line alligner far more effective, and kinder on the mouth.
In reply to Post #10
I don't sharpen hooks, I use them straight out the packet, and Gardner Muggas are sharp enough to draw blood on the ball of the thumb, they dig in.
You might find other makes as sharp or sharper, but I stick with what I know works. If I got a bad pack, I'd look elsewhere. The Muggas also hold their point.
I don't sharpen hooks, I use them straight out the packet, and Gardner Muggas are sharp enough to draw blood on the ball of the thumb, they dig in.
You might find other makes as sharp or sharper, but I stick with what I know works. If I got a bad pack, I'd look elsewhere. The Muggas also hold their point.
In reply to Post #1
iv'e used banktackle hook for years never had a bad one yet and at a good price.
iv'e used banktackle hook for years never had a bad one yet and at a good price.
In reply to Post #1
are you using a pop up rig? you'll never get perfect hook holds if they fish are moving between freebies, probably hook one that has a dodgy mouth in the scissors. These things happen, end of the day you can have a perfect rig but if the fish have some mouths where they have been caught a lot its a big factor in losing fish. worrying about nothing id say, that's a outstanding success rate you have , well done
EDIT: been using esp chod hammers recently size 6 on a multi hinge rig and haven't lost a fish on them yet. They are mega sharp, and a finer gauge which I think helps, but only been using for a year or so and mouths tend to be immaculate where I fish. hook holds vary from centre to the scissors, all depends how fish are feeding IMO
are you using a pop up rig? you'll never get perfect hook holds if they fish are moving between freebies, probably hook one that has a dodgy mouth in the scissors. These things happen, end of the day you can have a perfect rig but if the fish have some mouths where they have been caught a lot its a big factor in losing fish. worrying about nothing id say, that's a outstanding success rate you have , well done
EDIT: been using esp chod hammers recently size 6 on a multi hinge rig and haven't lost a fish on them yet. They are mega sharp, and a finer gauge which I think helps, but only been using for a year or so and mouths tend to be immaculate where I fish. hook holds vary from centre to the scissors, all depends how fish are feeding IMO
In reply to Post #14
No bottom baits 95% of the time, I only use pop ups when I really have to
No bottom baits 95% of the time, I only use pop ups when I really have to