Anyone who has been fishing for any length of time will invariably develop a preference for certain items of tackle over others. Match anglers especially, are renowned for their insistence on particular items, which they believe, has improved their catch rate. Possibly the most significant aspect of fishing equipment in this respect would be the hook. There are many different sizes on the market and even more patterns available depending on the requirements and type of fishing. The patterns featured here have been used for the past few years in various situations, which suit some hooks, better than others have. The reviewed patterns are not necessarily specialist types but used for general, all-purpose conditions. I must point out that all patterns featured are barbless as the majority of fisheries now insist on the use on barbless hooks.
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Kamasan B611
Sizes: 26-14,
Colour: Silver.
Quantity: 25 per box,
Price: £1.99 |
This is a medium wire hook with a wide gape; the metallic coating is silver, which has a distinct disadvantage when used for fishing shallow because it does reflect sunlight. For general fishing requirements this hook is probably the most versatile hook on the market. It can be used for skimmer fishing in its smaller sizes, while it can also be used for larger species like carp and chub. It was popular at one time with 'chopped worm' anglers because this style of fishing does tend to catch many species such as roach and tench. The pattern is extremely strong and the points are very sharp due to being chemically sharpened. One criticism is that the points are not long enough and allows the hook to be levered out by chub and carp as they change direction when hooked. The second criticism of this pattern is the variation in the shape of the hooks in the box. I tend to use hooks where the point leans toward the shank of the hook in an attempt to combat the problem of short hook points.
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Kamasan B610
Sizes: 22- 16
Colour: Bronze
Quantity: 25 per box
Price: £1.99 |
Although the two patterns are very similar sounding, the actual hooks are very different. The B610 is a very strong hook with a narrow gape and would appear to be better for situations where the B611 fails. I use this hook exclusively for fishing shallow on the pole or waggler because of the size and species of fish, which are likely to be caught at this depth. The majority of hooked fish are having pressure exerted from above when fishing shallow, therefore long points are essential when chub or carp swim outwards and away from the pole. This will usually result in the rig coming back at you if the points are too short as the line is being pulled over the top of their head causing leverage of the hook if they are hooked in the top lip.
As I mentioned this pattern is very strong and can be used in many different situations.
During the winter months many fish move away from the pole line and therefore the waggler tends to dominate matches, especially on commercial fisheries. I tend to use sweet corn very often at this time of year on hook sizes of 20 and 22. This hook is ideal for this approach. In general I would prefer to use this hook rather than the B611 as it has less negative aspects to it.
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Kamasan Animal Spades
Sizes 20-12
Colour: Silver
Quantity:10 per packet
Price: £0.95 |
These hooks are extremely strong and very sharp, ideally suited to fishing for big fish in situations where normal hooks would straighten out. The overall shape of the hook is peculiar in that it has a very short shank and a long point, which curves back toward the shank just below the spade. In the smaller sizes these hooks are ideal for fishing with maggot 'up in the water' on running line or with meat in similar situations but beware, in the larger sizes you cannot seem to keep fish on the hook. I have lost countless carp off the hook while unshipping the pole and I still do not know why. I dare say there are anglers out there who rate these hooks highly but personally I will not put one on above a size 18 on the pole or running line. Size 20 and 18 hooks are however superb and I have had very few casualties on either method. I must point out that there are no defects in the material but I think it is because of the shape of the hook that fish are lost.
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Preston Innovations Pro Carp
Sizes: 22-10
Colour: Dark grey
Quantity: 10 per packet
Price:£1.00 |
The ultimate 'bagging' hook in my opinion! These have been a firm favourite with many of the West Midland carp 'baggers' over the past decade and I first used them on the recommendation of a well-known carp expert and good friend Keiron Rich. He maintained that you lose less fish on these because once they go in, they stay there due to the narrow gape. We used these hooks primarily for waggler fishing, but I have since used them for fishing chopped worm for big carp. I don't think I have ever straightened a Pro carp yet and have caught some right lumps on them. They are extremely sharp but the best feature is that they do not go blunt after repeated use.
For anyone thinking for tackling 'animal pegs' for carp I would strongly recommend these hooks if you want to stand a chance of getting them out. They are my first choice everytime and so far I have had some good results on them. During the warmer months I usually fish the festivals at Docklow and anybody that knows peg 8 on the Snake will tell you it is not for the faint-hearted. The fish live around that peg in the summer because it is so shallow but unfortunately, when you hook a carp (which usually go to 10lb) they bolt through the gap joining the Snake to the Figure of Eight. You need something strong for that! I have also caught an Eel in the May festival on a size 14 Pro Carp hook which weighed 7lb 9oz. Give then a try before you try anything else. These really are the best hooks for the job!
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Drennan Team England Barbless
Sizes:22-14
Colour: Bronze
Quantity: 25 per box
Price: £1.99 |
A very good around pattern which is very strong and extremely sharp. I have had a few problems with hooks going blunt but that is really the only criticism of this pattern. They appear to have reasonably short shank and an average point and are for general-purpose requirements. There is nothing about the hook, which you could say would suit a particular style or type of fishing as I have used these hooks for just about everything. I would recommend them as an all-round pattern but the gauge on the hook is rather heavy and would not necessarily be the best hook where a fine wire approach is needed i.e. for skimmers and roach on canals.
The hooks featured here have been used over a period of about three to ten years in competition fishing and where anglers may disagree with some or even all of the comments made here, I must stress that hook patterns are very much down to personal preference. I acknowledge that some anglers may have their own preferences or have found additional problems with hooks that I have recommended so if anyone has any further comments they would like to add please enter these in the Discussion Forum provided on the Talkangling web page.
Giles Cochrane |
