Looking for abit of advise

[BenNedge]

Morning everyone,

I am wondering if anyone can pin point or roughly advise me on what I was doing wrong yesterday, or was i just unlucky.. ?

I was fishing at Horsham Lake in Upchurch (Kent) an easy lake to fish by all rights.

(Set up)
2x Carp Rods
2x Bait Runner Carp Reels
Both using hair rigs,
Running off an old rod pod, with bite alarms.
Bait: One running off bread, one Lunchoen meat

And the first two hours went by fine, I was pulling out 1-2 pound carp all morning got my self up to 7 fish and things where cruising along.

I continued to then get bite after bite which I would hook into, during the fight I manage to unhock the next 9 fish in a row.

The only thing I can think im doing is im trying to bully these fish to much and putting alot of tention on the line and pulling the hock clean out the mouth?

Its just seems strange that after catching 7 fish in a row I would then lose 9 after not changing anything.

I appricated any advise. I will also give more information if needed.

Thank You
Ben

[andystone]

blunt hook?

[BenNedge]

Originally Posted by andystone

blunt hook?

Now you say it, my hocks are over 10 years old... ( I used to fish around 10 years ago, and recently come back (Yesterday) and im using all my old gear, Looks like a trip to that tackle shop for me)

Thank you for your help. will try this for next time I head out will be weekend will report back to you then.

[andystone]

or get as small oil stone and give 'em a sharpen! lol

[BenNedge]

Just out of interest what are the views on barbed hooks, if I remember back they where abit frowned upon by lake owners? If this is the case I will get barbless hooks.

Thank you again for taking the time to read and reply.

[andystone]

i always use barbless in all my fishing, have done for years. just keep that line tight!

[barbelblanker]

Most modern hooks are so sharp that using a stone might blunt them. Better of changing to a brand new hook if you think it's blunt. Chemically sharpened are much finer these days. Personally I think barbless are OK and best for fish with tougher mouths as they hook penetrates easier. Use correctly barbed don't cause me a major issue, as long people have decent fish handling skills. The only challenge with barbless is that, in an attempt to keep the line tight, people MIGHT be tempted to give it more welly when reeling in and this may cause tearing injuries to the fishes mouth. I think most lake owenrs prefer them as they open their doors to any numpty and barbless probably do cause less problems in unhooking for anyone. A barbed hook is not what causes the distress , it's the 15 minutes of faffing people who do not know how to use them take. I also debard any pike lures and only leave one barb on wire traces to keep the bait on. Quicker that fish gets back home the better .