Sizing of hooks

[Phil Adams]

One of my local club venues has banned hooks above size 10. Although I'm not sure why. One member said it was due to people fishing with too heavy gear. Anyway, size tens have now become an issue due to the massive variances between brands. I often used to use a Drennan specialist size 8,which now of course is banned under the new rules. However a size 10 Korea mixa is technically allowed but physically larger.

I've started using a Kamasan 911x I think and also a Drennan wide gape pattern. Mainly because I like to use larger baits.

 

[108831]

Excuse my being nosey Phil,but what club is that???

 

[mikench]

One of my clubs has always operated a maximum size 12 barbless hook.

 

[steve2]

One of my clubs has always operated a maximum size 12 barbless hook.

Would that be the size12 that was once a size 8 or the size 16 that now resembles an old size 12?

 

[108831]

I do find it odd that hook sizes are limited to a twelve,that means certain baits are very difficult to use,far better to limit line strengths,lets be honest carp anglers use heavy tackle,but land smaller species,winding tench,bream,or even small carp causing in some cases severe damage,barbel anglers too,when you fish 10/15lb lines and strong rods these fish stand little chance,on smallish pools where carp grow to 10lbs lines over 10lb isn't needed. Often club committees,fishery owners etc feel they must use they're time in the job to make they're mark by making rules...

 

[mikench]

I agree with your comments Alan. On that unforgettable day when I caught 3 decent tench the first had a damaged mouth. It also had an enormous barbed hook still in its lip. I removed it and showed it to Gordon last time out. It wouldnt look out of place in Peter Pan. One has to start somewhere I suppose and whilst sizes vary the hook is what it says on the packet. I suspect most members, on waters reputed to hold large carp, ignore the rule.

 

[steve2]

I agree with your comments Alan. On that unforgettable day when I caught 3 decent tench the first had a damaged mouth. It also had an enormous barbed hook still in its lip. I removed it and showed it to Gordon last time out. It wouldnt look out of place in Peter Pan. One has to start somewhere I suppose and whilst sizes vary the hook is what it says on the packet. I suspect most members, on waters reputed to hold large carp, ignore the rule.

I suppose it the same old story. Us anglers saying they care about the fish and then go out and stick a hook in them and wonder why they have damaged mouths

 

[mikench]

I suppose it the same old story. Us anglers saying they care about the fish and then go out and stick a hook in them and wonder why they have damaged mouths

I sometime wonder why you became an angler . I'm not a great angler and, sadly , never will be but I do try and care for any fish I catch. I obey club rules and use hooks in smaller sizes moving up in size to suit the species , tactics and conditions.

I do not leave a hook in a fishes mouth unless it's deep hooked. Here is a pic of a Korum expert barbless hook in size 12 and the hook I extracted from my 3.5lb tench. I'll leave you to decide which is which. My point which I considered well made was about hook sizes and that some hooks are just too big for some venues which hold a few large carp but other species of significantly smaller size. If I could catch fish ( which I do) which simply clamp on to the bait and won't let go I would. At least fish are returned , more often than not,alive and well nowadays.

 

[rayner]

I suppose it the same old story. Us anglers saying they care about the fish and then go out and stick a hook in them and wonder why they have damaged mouths

Strange remark from an angler, what I can say about hooking fish I've never caught a single fish that didn't smile when I got it in the net, I've even caught fish that actually laughed. Perhaps, Steve, you are too rough.

 

[tigger]

Strange remark from an angler, what I can say about hooking fish I've never caught a single fish that didn't smile when I got it in the net, I've even caught fish that actually laughed. Perhaps, Steve, you are too rough.

I've even had them thank me for catching them and we've swapped mobile numbers and kept intouch with oneanother ?.

 

[steve2]

I have been an angler most of my life but I do not do it on fish welfare ground I do it because I enjoy it, the same reason as all anglers go fishing.
Like most I have over the years to bent the rules in order to catch. It's the reason I prefer to fish rivers, which in most cases no silly rules that are just in place to protect carp.

 

[Phil Adams]

Excuse my being nosey Phil,but what club is that???

Hiya, it's Vauxhall. The water specifically is Tingrith manor lake. Part of me understands the banning of larger hook sizes, but equally I don't see it as the main problem on a water such as Tingrith.

To be clear the banning of the larger hooks may have come into effect several years ago, I've just not fished there in recent years.

 

[108831]

Mmmm,it is funny,they ban certain size hooks and allow big fish anglers to drag tench,bream and chub in on cutty hunk line and meat hooks,fishing is a funny sport,lol...

 

[108831]

We all fish because we enjoy catching fish,but and its a bigun we and I take it that includes you Steve enjoy seeing our fish returned safely to the water,so,if you carp fish and swing tench out of two pounds,that person is a savage and has no place in fishing,should be banned for life,and yes I've seen it done,as i've seen bream dragged up the bank because they didn't want slime on they're nets,the morons in our world fish too,hooks and lines should suit our target species,but when smaller/lesser fighting species take our bait we should take it a bit steady,it is a living thing for Christ's sake...