Looking to buy a good pair of forceps for unhooking carp (upto 20lb) Have been using pointed nose pliers but these seem a bit overkill on my smaller size 10 and 8 hooks.
Are all forceps the same or are there good and crap ones? Also which are best the locking type or just free to use like pliers?
These carp can certainly flip and thrash about at this time of the year.
Any recommendations please?
Thanks
Are all forceps the same or are there good and crap ones? Also which are best the locking type or just free to use like pliers?
These carp can certainly flip and thrash about at this time of the year.
Any recommendations please?
Thanks
In reply to Post #1
In general terms I just unhook with my hands, however for trickier hookholds or cats/pike I just use my leatherman Skeletool multi tool pliers, spot on., I'd stick with your pliers.
Tel👍👍
In general terms I just unhook with my hands, however for trickier hookholds or cats/pike I just use my leatherman Skeletool multi tool pliers, spot on., I'd stick with your pliers.
Tel👍👍
In reply to Post #1
A 6 inch pair of straight nosed forceps will do the job and you will get a cheap pair off ebay. I've never seen a non-locking pair but that's fine as you might need to clamp on the hook so you want the locking ability.
A 6 inch pair of straight nosed forceps will do the job and you will get a cheap pair off ebay. I've never seen a non-locking pair but that's fine as you might need to clamp on the hook so you want the locking ability.
I always like to have a set of forceps in my bag in case of an awkward or deep hookhold, usually find a decent size pair for £7-£8 at your local tackle shop.
Good to be prepared 👍
Good to be prepared 👍
In reply to Post #1
Just go on eBay can buy all different size lengths of forceps on their
Just go on eBay can buy all different size lengths of forceps on their
In reply to Post #1
Pop it out!
The best way to unhook a carp is to simply 'pop' the hook out by applying steady thumb pressure against the eye of the hook ! press the eye towards the point
and do the same if you get a hook in your finger too
Pop it out!
The best way to unhook a carp is to simply 'pop' the hook out by applying steady thumb pressure against the eye of the hook ! press the eye towards the point
and do the same if you get a hook in your finger too
In reply to Post #1
I prefer curved end 10" (ooeer) as the curved end makes it easier if the hook is embedded at a weird angle etc - the main thing is to ensure they don't have sharp finger holes (the cheaper ones do) and are easy to open in one hand (the serrated ridges on cheaper forceps can be sticky / an *rse to prise open sometimes) to make it easier / quicker to unhook fish and keep it calm prior to graffing
I prefer curved end 10" (ooeer) as the curved end makes it easier if the hook is embedded at a weird angle etc - the main thing is to ensure they don't have sharp finger holes (the cheaper ones do) and are easy to open in one hand (the serrated ridges on cheaper forceps can be sticky / an *rse to prise open sometimes) to make it easier / quicker to unhook fish and keep it calm prior to graffing
In reply to Post #6
I've seen quite a few well known anglers use this exact method on YouTube. On some you can literally hear the hookhold go 'pop'. That'll be the microbarb tearing out.
I've seen quite a few well known anglers use this exact method on YouTube. On some you can literally hear the hookhold go 'pop'. That'll be the microbarb tearing out.
In reply to Post #8
Thinking anglers ones are excellent as they're a little bit more rigid than the cheaper alternatives and make the job just that tiny bit easier that said i managed for years with cheaper alternatives with no problems
Thinking anglers ones are excellent as they're a little bit more rigid than the cheaper alternatives and make the job just that tiny bit easier that said i managed for years with cheaper alternatives with no problems
In reply to Post #8
what tosh ! smoke another one !
the mechanics if thats the right way to describe it is the pressure pushes the outside of the point away causing an opening and allowing the barb to come out without catching on anything !
same when removing one from your finger easily
what tosh ! smoke another one !
the mechanics if thats the right way to describe it is the pressure pushes the outside of the point away causing an opening and allowing the barb to come out without catching on anything !
same when removing one from your finger easily
In reply to Post #10
i think oldgeezer needs to do us a video of him popping a hook out of his thumb ..... sounds easy ! All i know is on the three occasions i've had barbed hooks in my hand there's no way on God's earth that hook was coming out any other way than pushing it all the way through past the barb, snipping the bend off with cutters and pulling the shank back through.
anyone that hasn't experienced that joy, it's all the better at 3am with a small common thrashing around on the mat.....trust me.
i think oldgeezer needs to do us a video of him popping a hook out of his thumb ..... sounds easy ! All i know is on the three occasions i've had barbed hooks in my hand there's no way on God's earth that hook was coming out any other way than pushing it all the way through past the barb, snipping the bend off with cutters and pulling the shank back through.
anyone that hasn't experienced that joy, it's all the better at 3am with a small common thrashing around on the mat.....trust me.
In reply to Post #6
Totally disagree.
In some situations you will end up doing more damage.
Every angler should carry forceps.
Totally disagree.
In some situations you will end up doing more damage.
Every angler should carry forceps.
In reply to Post #12
i don't disagree with the principle of popping it out with pressure on the eye - in fact that's exactly what i do all the time and can count on the fingers of one hand how many times in 30 years carp fishing that hasn't worked and i've needed forceps - nearly always that's been with fish with pre existing mouth damage that has made access to the hook extremely difficult.
i don't disagree with the principle of popping it out with pressure on the eye - in fact that's exactly what i do all the time and can count on the fingers of one hand how many times in 30 years carp fishing that hasn't worked and i've needed forceps - nearly always that's been with fish with pre existing mouth damage that has made access to the hook extremely difficult.
In reply to Post #12
of course I am not saying you dont need to carry snips or forceps
I carry both
but what I am saying is I hardly ever need to use them !
as its easier and causes far less damage using the correct technique with thumb pressure
and there are tons of vids about removing hooks from fingers and these are not the tiny micro barbed hooks we use too
of course I am not saying you dont need to carry snips or forceps
I carry both
but what I am saying is I hardly ever need to use them !
as its easier and causes far less damage using the correct technique with thumb pressure
and there are tons of vids about removing hooks from fingers and these are not the tiny micro barbed hooks we use too
In reply to Post #1
Try and avoid long jaw forceps, they tend not to exert as much force as short jaw 1's and can easily slip or twist with well set hooks. I have a set of long, long jaw curved forceps for Pike fishing, they're o.k most of the time but the jaws are not aligned properly anymore due to twisting under pressure, still o.k for normal soft hook sets.
I think (looking on Ebay) the stronger type are called Mosquito/Hemostat or needle holding but if in doubt look at the jaw length.
Try and avoid long jaw forceps, they tend not to exert as much force as short jaw 1's and can easily slip or twist with well set hooks. I have a set of long, long jaw curved forceps for Pike fishing, they're o.k most of the time but the jaws are not aligned properly anymore due to twisting under pressure, still o.k for normal soft hook sets.
I think (looking on Ebay) the stronger type are called Mosquito/Hemostat or needle holding but if in doubt look at the jaw length.