Comments on: What size hook should I use with an 18mm boilie? http://www.questbaits.com/blog/readers-query-hook-to-boilie-ratio/ Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:00:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Shaun http://www.questbaits.com/blog/readers-query-hook-to-boilie-ratio/comment-page-1/#comment-1409 Shaun Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:00:10 +0000 http://www.questbaits.com/blog/?p=274#comment-1409 Never underestimate how being different can trip Mr Carp up……. Very wise words and it is amazing how quickly things turn around as well. When I first fished the mangrove I went on with 10mm baits as no-one appeared to be using them and i did really well for a couple of seasons until lots of others joined suit and although I contuinued to catch I never experienced anything like I had before. I changed to 22mm's and straight away I started to catch loads again. Watch what others do and try the opposite. It must be said one of the two biggest common denominatoirs on most waters which the fish come up against is hook and lead size. Altering one or both can really get those bobbins moving again no matter how illogical it can seem at the time. Never underestimate how being different can trip Mr Carp up…….

Very wise words and it is amazing how quickly things turn around as well. When I first fished the mangrove I went on with 10mm baits as no-one appeared to be using them and i did really well for a couple of seasons until lots of others joined suit and although I contuinued to catch I never experienced anything like I had before.

I changed to 22mm’s and straight away I started to catch loads again.

Watch what others do and try the opposite. It must be said one of the two biggest common denominatoirs on most waters which the fish come up against is hook and lead size. Altering one or both can really get those bobbins moving again no matter how illogical it can seem at the time.

]]> By: Spencer http://www.questbaits.com/blog/readers-query-hook-to-boilie-ratio/comment-page-1/#comment-1408 Spencer Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:00:39 +0000 http://www.questbaits.com/blog/?p=274#comment-1408 Im sure many of you and in particular Shaun will remember the legendary Alan Smith from Kent who sadly passed away a few years ago, anyway Alan was a fantastic angler however I witnessed him over two years destroy many lakes using a 20mm bait and a size 10 drennan boilie hook. The key was just being different!!!! Never underestimate how being different can trip Mr Carp up....... Im sure many of you and in particular Shaun will remember the legendary Alan Smith from Kent who sadly passed away a few years ago, anyway Alan was a fantastic angler however I witnessed him over two years destroy many lakes using a 20mm bait and a size 10 drennan boilie hook. The key was just being different!!!! Never underestimate how being different can trip Mr Carp up…….

]]> By: Roy Van Goor http://www.questbaits.com/blog/readers-query-hook-to-boilie-ratio/comment-page-1/#comment-359 Roy Van Goor Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:21:23 +0000 http://www.questbaits.com/blog/?p=274#comment-359 Hi steve, I am surprised by your comment that you loose many fish on a size 8 hook.. I use size 8 most of the time…even with 22 mm boilies or bigger I don’t think the problem is in the size of the hook, compared to the hook bait. But more in your rig. I don’t know what type of hooklink you have bin using, …and what the length of your hair is? I would recommend always to keep 1 cm between hook and bait.. When the baits get bigger…just make the hair longer. this will give it more space to turn and get grip in the mouth. One hook that I use allot in size 8 is the Korda wide gape..( barbed or barbless) in 90% of my fishing this is my 1st hook choice rig wise ..keep it simple, korda IQ 15 lb or kryston mantis are very good hooklink materials. I am very confident to use these hooklinks..in combination with the wide gape size 8 even with the biggest hookbaits.. Just give the hook enough space to “move and turn”. Good luck! Greetz roy van goor Hi steve,
I am surprised by your comment that you loose many fish on a size 8 hook.. I use size 8 most of the time…even with 22 mm boilies or bigger I don’t think the problem is in the size of the hook, compared to the hook
bait. But more in your rig. I don’t know what type of hooklink you have bin using, …and what the length
of your hair is?
I would recommend always to keep 1 cm between hook and bait..
When the baits get bigger…just make the hair longer. this will give it more space to turn and get grip in the mouth.
One hook that I use allot in size 8 is the Korda wide gape..( barbed or barbless) in 90% of my fishing this is my 1st hook choice rig wise ..keep it simple, korda IQ 15 lb or kryston mantis are very good hooklink materials.
I am very confident to use these hooklinks..in combination with the wide gape size 8 even with the biggest hookbaits..
Just give the hook enough space to “move and turn”.

Good luck!

Greetz roy van goor

]]> By: Jim Kelly http://www.questbaits.com/blog/readers-query-hook-to-boilie-ratio/comment-page-1/#comment-346 Jim Kelly Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:51:03 +0000 http://www.questbaits.com/blog/?p=274#comment-346 Hi Steve, this is definately not a simple question. The most important thing is that you are getting some action. I generally use a size 6 Kamasan B745 hook with a size 18mm boilie as I find this a balanced set up and the hooks are relatively light. I find these hooks very sharp and reliable. I tend to change hooks very often as a sharp hook is important. However, your problem may not be due to the hook alone. It could be down to lots of other reasons: Rig/hair too short Rig/hair too long Carp holding bait between lips and not taking the hook into mouth. Carp towing line and giving false bites. Poor hook pattern or blunt hooks. etc. If I was having this problem, I would start by changing the hook size and pattern. If it did not solve the problem I would then start to change other things, but only one thing at a time. Why don't you try changing the hook size and use a pattern that other anglers are having success with? If this doesn't work get back to me and we will have a re-think. If you do want further help I would need: a) A desciption of your current rig. b) Are you hooking the fish and are they coming off after a short while? c) Do you feel some weight, but they come off immediately? d) Do you get good runs, but on striking there is nothing there at all? e) What is the nature of the bottom? (deep silt, gravel, weed, etc.) Let me know how you get on. Jim Kelly Hi Steve, this is definately not a simple question. The most important thing is that you are getting some action. I generally use a size 6 Kamasan B745 hook with a size 18mm boilie as I find this a balanced set up and the hooks are relatively light. I find these hooks very sharp and reliable. I tend to change hooks very often as a sharp hook is important. However, your problem may not be due to the hook alone. It could be down to lots of other reasons:

Rig/hair too short
Rig/hair too long
Carp holding bait between lips and not taking the hook into mouth.
Carp towing line and giving false bites.
Poor hook pattern or blunt hooks.
etc.

If I was having this problem, I would start by changing the hook size and pattern. If it did not solve the problem I would then start to change other things, but only one thing at a time.
Why don’t you try changing the hook size and use a pattern that other anglers are having success with? If this doesn’t work get back to me and we will have a re-think.
If you do want further help I would need:

a) A desciption of your current rig.
b) Are you hooking the fish and are they coming off after a short while?
c) Do you feel some weight, but they come off immediately?
d) Do you get good runs, but on striking there is nothing there at all?
e) What is the nature of the bottom? (deep silt, gravel, weed, etc.)

Let me know how you get on.

Jim Kelly

]]> By: Elie G http://www.questbaits.com/blog/readers-query-hook-to-boilie-ratio/comment-page-1/#comment-339 Elie G Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:04:27 +0000 http://www.questbaits.com/blog/?p=274#comment-339 Hi Steve Loads of good points there from Jamie and what seems like a simple question has - as he has pointed out - different solutions that depend on a number of factors. One thing you haven't mentioned is the size of the fish you are trying to catch - the bigger the fishes mouth the more likely a smaller hook will not form a good hookhold with such a relatively large bait. Your combination - size 8 (of whatever make of hook) coupled with an 18mm boilie - does not seem all that balanced to me and may not be cathcing hold when the fish sucks and then blows or moves off. If I were fishing an 18mm bait I would not use anything less than a size 6. Hook choice is such a personal thing - my personal preferences would be Gamakatsu G-Point, Korda Wide Gape or an Ashima C310 in a size 4 (they are one size smaller than most hooks). If the fish I were targetting were big - 30lbs plus - I would be happy to use a size 4. Also I wonder how short your hair rig is? If it is tight to the hook then I suggest lengthening it a bit, to at least a centimetre or more. Hope that helps. Elie G Hi Steve

Loads of good points there from Jamie and what seems like a simple question has – as he has pointed out – different solutions that depend on a number of factors. One thing you haven’t mentioned is the size of the fish you are trying to catch – the bigger the fishes mouth the more likely a smaller hook will not form a good hookhold with such a relatively large bait.

Your combination – size 8 (of whatever make of hook) coupled with an 18mm boilie – does not seem all that balanced to me and may not be cathcing hold when the fish sucks and then blows or moves off.

If I were fishing an 18mm bait I would not use anything less than a size 6. Hook choice is such a personal thing – my personal preferences would be Gamakatsu G-Point, Korda Wide Gape or an Ashima C310 in a size 4 (they are one size smaller than most hooks). If the fish I were targetting were big – 30lbs plus – I would be happy to use a size 4.

Also I wonder how short your hair rig is? If it is tight to the hook then I suggest lengthening it a bit, to at least a centimetre or more.

Hope that helps.

Elie G

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