HOOK LENGTHS

#1

funny things hook lengths we use fine lines for delicate rigs and perhaps you use a different method of tying the hook length on, i use loop to loop which is realistically a mass of line i look at anglers rigs some use 2" 3"4"and some 5" hook lengths. where ever the hook length lies its still stands out as its double thick where the two loops meet, i know that fish are only interested in feeding and only take your hook bait. whether its on a 18,20,22,or 24 hook does it matter that much Ive bagged up on single bloodworm on a 16s would i of caught more on a 20 or 22?? i think the same about hook lengths i was told early on in my fishing never put a shot on your hook length as it weakens it, presentation should be a natural as you can get it how natural does a 3" hook length look to a fish.
Ive used straight through rigs sometimes only on the really light rigs and found this can catch fish at very hard times of the match but remember once trashed or the hooks bent or broke its a whole new rig .
so what is your ideal hook lengths how do you tie them to your rig or doesn't matter that 3"up the line you have a mass

#2

Don't think any of our lads use hook lengths on the cuts, - can't see the point.
The majority of our side fish straight through with Silstar Match Team 0.65 or the next one up for light caster work. The line is cheap enough to do away with knots, they nare always a weak point in my view.
I use the smallest stonfo connectors I can get but most use home made dacron connectors.
I stopped using those as could never get the rig off them!

Still go straight through on the rare occasions I fish for canal chub.

No knots for me except a standard loop for the connector and the spade end hook knott.

I suppose it is everyone to their own though.

#3

Ive seen some of the hemp heads around here fishing 16s with light lines surely that's not balanced the hook must be quite heavy
i might be completely wrong that's why ive posted this

olly · #4

4" for fishing shallow and for F1's.
6" for everything else.

Small sensas loop tied loop on the hooklength same on the mainline so its tidy down to a spade end, unless banding.

Straight through with tow rope if fishing to snags.

#5

Hemp is quite a heavy bait.

If anyone has not been Fredded on this site they are lucky or telling porkies. Fred has had more 10s and 20 lb plus weights on bread punch and hemp that anyone I know, and probably anyone else knows as well. Fred fishes ultra light with the seed, sometimes on the deck, sometimes off it.

Fred uses small hooks B511 in 22s or 24s or sometimes IM1s.

The simple answer as to what he is up to belongs to Fred and no-one else. You can sit and watch him and it will not help one bit.
He simply knows what he is doing, puts more time into it than anyone and deserves his rewards.
It matters crappity smack all is there are frosts, ice or its blazing hot to Fred.
Like any bait it doesn't always work but he is as near to perfecting the method as anyone. He also fishes very light, lighter than most fish squatt.

If you asked what his 'secret' I am sure he would say, belief, confidence and knowledge.

I have often heard that he was on a load and every excuse under the sun as he has trounced the anglers next door.
If you have never been Fredded your turn will come and it will come big style as more than a few have found out.

#6

If anyone can give me a valid reason for using a hook length on a canal I've yet to hear it

If anglers are happy using hook lengths it is no big deal to me, just think they are a total waste of time.

Always use them if I go anywhere else, that is different.

And don't give me that crap about losing floats on trees because they nearly always come back bust anyway.

#7

I use 3in an 6in hook lengths with small sensas loop tied I use hook lengths because I mostly fish squat an catching 200 plus fish I normally get though 6 hooks after bending them quicker to change hook than rig in a fish race that's why bill an yes I have been freded and as u no mate he's been keved

#8

Not that I'm in your league Bill & co, but I started going straight through about 4 years back

Not really a problem trashing a hook on our cuts - unless really fishing tight into brambles/trees etc - cuss our cuts tend to be a tad clearer than most so I'm usually starting off with rigs on a slightly longer line between pole tip and float - if the hook is lost, tie another un on and re-adjust depth of float

#9

Surely the point of a hook length is to create a weak spot in the rig. If you hit a snag you can pull back for a break without loosing the complete rig, pop another hook length on and your angling again without having to get another rig out.
Or if your hook gets blunt and snaps and whatever you can pop another hook length on without loosing any line of your rig length i.e from tying another hook on.

Bill, like you I never used to bother with hook lengths, straight through. Then I used one for a few matches and I loved it and have carried on using them. Loop to loop, loads faster than tying a new hook on. No need to re-plumb the depth etc.

Like you said, each to their own. I use 0.24 to 0.20 though

#10

Also a fan of Silstar/W Clarke line.......in 0.06 & 0.8 generally (with a 0.12 or 0.14 for canal tincas)

Brings back memories pre Silstar days when used to tie majority of cut rigs in 1.1lb to 12oz bottoms - aint gorra clue what the diameters were back then

Even went through a period with 8oz bottoms - had to net everything over an oz - liable to snap off swinging in a 2ozer

#11

Like you said, each to their own. I use 0.24 to 0.20 though

I'm talking about line Simps not bog chains

craftytafty · #12

last week it was no 1 elastic

now 0.06 hook lengths, what's it all coming too lolol

always hooklengths for me, 4" and 6" on the pole, 12" stick and wag, 4" on the method ( don't think too many on here need worry bout that

)
hooklengths are so much more versatile, quicker to change if you have a breakage or just want to change hook size or pattern.

Read an article recently by Sean Ashby, he said that now he doesn't go down below I think it's 0.08 hook length as he has never found it makes any difference, if it's good enough for someone as good as Sean, it's definitely good enough for me, that and the fact I can't see it to tie

.

Also, talking with Swinno a bit back he says he has no probs putting shot on a hooklength on the stick or wag.
Wouldn't bother me either, we used to do it years ago with no probs and been doing it since I started fishing the river again, nowadays with high tech lines, no probs whatsoever.

#13

I always use hooklengths for squatt fishing on shallow canals. It can be hectic fishing and tangles etc do happen , changing a hooklength only takes seconds and no need to re plumb

. Not too fussed when bread fishing as presentation is very straight forward as is caster fishing , not caught crappity smack all on hemp for nearly 2 years so crappity smack knows !!!!

#14

Not that I'm in your league Bill & co, but I started going straight through about 4 years back

Not really a problem trashing a hook on our cuts - unless really fishing tight into brambles/trees etc - cuss our cuts tend to be a tad clearer than most so I'm usually starting off with rigs on a slightly longer line between pole tip and float - if the hook is lost, tie another un on and re-adjust depth of float

This is all opinion anyway, I can't knock what Kev, Fred, TK, Dodge, Simps or anyone catches, only admire it, but it is nice to hear different views. It's really a bit like asking what is the best pole, everyone thinks the one they use is.

Keep bagging.

To calculate how much line to make a cut rig up I just hold the spool in one hand, draw it off until both hands are at their extreme and that amount of line ain't far off. Minor adjustment may have to be done for some pegs. I never use the same rig twice if I can help. Lord Nelson would find it difficult though

#15

Good post this been interesting to see what others do most I know use hook lengths but I only fish the canals now when i fished the rivers all the time never had a hook tied up

#16

My main reason for using them is because I fish a short line between pole tip and float. If anything happens to the hook I would not have enough line to put another hook on.
I know you could use Nisa connectors but I don't like them, too bulky.

#17

I use 3in an 6in hook lengths

No wonder you catch twice as many as me, d'yer av these two hooklengths on the same rig

#18

Keep it to your self doe let any one know bill

#19

No need to re-plumb the depth etc.

changing a hooklength only takes seconds and no need to re plumb

Simps, Dodge - dont you guys get the chinagraph pencil or tipex out and mark up when youve originally plumbed up

#20

Or if your hook gets blunt

i dont catch enuff for 'em to go blunt