Are hook lengths a must

[saladdodger]

I see it all the time with carp/barble fishing but what about float fishing using a size 18/16 hook.

I hook straight onto mainline but now i think i could be wrong ?


Any help would be great

Thanks


Andy

[Wayneuk]

I use a hook length float fishing, the main reason being i struggle tieing a small spade end and from my own exsperiance i generally get a better stamp of fish .

[saladdodger]

whats a spade end? Thats a eyeless hook?

Whats the difference in using, ive only ever used size 18 eyed hooks with 3lb or 6lb line.
Although i do have 10 preston pr29 eyeless hooks ive not used

[BoldBear]

If I am float fishing I usually use pre-tied hooklengths, especially if I am fishing a match where I may get my line broken, I can quickly put another hook length on within seconds and be sure that I am still fishing at exactly the same depth as I was before.

I also carry a spade-end hook tier for the odd time that I need to tie my own spade end hooks.

I only use spade end hooks for hooks smaller than size 14's, above this I will usually use eyed hooks.

Spade end hooks are hooks that have a small flattened end which prevents a whipped hook knot from slipping off the end.
They are much smaller and lighter than eyes but if you tie your own spade-end hooks make sure that the line comes away from the knot from the front of the hook shank otherwise it can force the point slightly downwards on striking making you miss bites; also most spades incline slightly backwards and there is a chance of the spade cutting against the line once it is in the fishes mouth if the line comes away from the hook from the back instead of the front.

I do tie the occasional hook directly to my main line for example when I am fishing for barbel where I want to minimise any weaknesses (knots are known weak spots so the fewer the better) but I will usually use a seperate hooklength with a sightly smaller breaking strain.

[barbelblanker]

Boldbear has covered it all really.
There are a number of good reasons to use a hooklength.
Here are a few of my thoughts -

1. If you use a lower breaking strain than the main line then you only loose the hooklength in the event of a crack off.
2. The hooklength can be of a much more "delicate" line type than the main line. I generally use Diawa Sensor for mainline and middy lo viz for hooklengths. Loviz would make a poor reel line.
3. If you want to use braid hooklengths for presentation you can still use far more forgiving nylon for the reel line.
4. Hooklengths can be pre-tied at home and a number taken with you . Good tip here is to make them all the same length so you can quickly rehook the end tackle. I do not put shot on the hooklength as it weakens it and removed just this advantage.
5. Conversely to the braid argument, you can use a braid main line and a length of more forgiving mono nearer the hook. Some people use up to 12 foot to act as a buffer but still have the excellent "transmission" of bites from the braid.
6. Hooklengths can be bought pre-tied if you struggle to tie your own.

Hope those thoughts are useful.

[saladdodger]

Nice one guys, i guess i now need to know how to tie a hook length onto the main line, im sure youtube will have it all.

Think i will start using hook lengths as it seems better all round after reading the above.

Cool, thanks

[chazyboi]

tie an overhand loop in your main line so it looks like a small noose , then pass pre tied hook through said loop then pass hook through the loop on hook link tighten job done ...

[firemantim30]

Hi, rather than an overhand knot try a figure of eight on the bite as this is one of few knots that causes no damage to the line and very little weakening. Its just as easy to tie too!

[chazyboi]

yep good one ,,,hows the 7 fishing firemartin im up at trimply the week end with a mate heard some barble coming out and some good chub

[barbelblanker]

If you use loop to loop, remember Matt hayes tip, the hooklength never goes through it's own loop. tie double overhand knots in both lengths of line. Drop the reel line loop through the hooklength then drop the hook end through the reel line. Slowly pull tight and lubricate. DON'T do what I always used to do and upt the hook length through the reel line loop then drop the hook end through the hooklength loop. Hope that made sense.