With hundreds of carp hooks to choose from, it can sometimes be a bit of a struggle to know where to start, so we’ve put together this handy Anglers’ Net guide to carp hooks, designed to offer some useful hints and tips which get straight to the point!
The first thing you need to ensure with a decent carp hook is that it’s going to be sharp. Most hooks are supplied chemically sharpened nowadays, but you still need to check each one when you take it from the packet as you’d be surprised how many have slightly blunted ends – which can be the difference from an aborted take and a fish on the bank!
Many tips get blunted due to the way they all jiggle about in the same pack, so look out for those which are held individually within the pack, guarding against unnecessary wear, which can amount to quite a lot when they’ve spent months rubbing against each other on a slow boat from China, Japan, or wherever your hooks may have been manufactured!
Secondly you need a carp hook to be strong. Once it’s hooked the fish, you need to ensure it’s going to get it in, so go for a good gauge that’s not going to open up under extreme pressure. There are some fantastic hooks about nowadays, designed for use in countless different situations, but our overriding advice on all matters relating to hooks would be not to scrimp. If you’re on a budget, look to save money in other areas of your fishing, but make sure you’ve got good quality hooks on your rigs or else you could be wasting your time!
Those with forged bends will remain strong under pressure and Teflon coatings can aid durability, but again, make sure you check the sharpness of your hook before each cast. You’d be amazed how easy it is to blunt a point simply on retrieving the rig from the water when you don’t even feel a thing. Again, it could be the difference between a fish lost and a fish banked – and we know which we’d rather have!
Whichever type you go for it pays to have a few different sizes to choose from too. You can then effectively match the size of your hook to your hookbait, so that they are evenly matched, and smaller sized hooks may be required for stalking and surface fishing, for example.
So, let’s have a look at some quality offerings which will help you put a few more fish on the bank…
One hook that’s ‘of the moment’ is the Chod hook, and there are few better than the Korda Choddy Hook. Priced at £3.80 per pack, they are specifically designed for use with the ever popular chod rig, and also make a perfect pop up hook. Available in sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 in barbed or barbless, they’re a worthy addition to any tackle box! Full details HERE.
Another extremely proficient and popular hook is the Hybrid Wide Gape. Again priced at £3.80, the Wide Gape is a true Hybrid with the finest parts of the best hooks available; an Ultra sharp beaked point with a micro barb, wide gaped with a flat forged medium shank. The eye has been reduced in size with a 15 degree in turn, all finished with a silky smooth Teflon coating. Available in sizes: 2. 4, 6, 8, 10, this is a truly versatile carp hook suitable for countless angling styles. Full details HERE.
Another extremely versatile hook is the Nash Fang X. Priced at £4.99 per pack. They do cost more than some, but in quality terms they are among the strongest hooks you will find. The Fang X is suitable for boilie, pop-up and particle presentations and can be used with short or long, stiff or subtle, coated or uncoated hook links. A fantastic hook designed to turn in and stay in! Available in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10. Full details HERE.
Last, but by no means least, is my personal favourite, the Nash Uni Hook. This medium length hook has a straight shank combined with an in-turned eye and beaked point. It is exceptionally strong and I’ve rarely used anything else since I first used them some five years ago. They come individually packed to ensure maximum sharpness, and are just superb for fishing snaggy and weedy waters where strength and hookhold is everything! I really don’t think there is a stronger hook on the market. Available in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10. Full details HERE.
We hope this carp hook guide has proved useful, and don’t forget to check out all the other carp hooks available via the Anglers’ Net Fishing Tackle & Bait Finder.
Julian Grattidge
November 2010
All prices and offers correct at time of publishing
