Heavy vs. Light Tackle

[Rob M]

One thing occurred to me today. I bought some freshwater gear/tackle and noticed the size of the hooks I bought (12,14,16). They seem very small, but they catch very big carp . So why are we messing around with size 2,4, 1/0, 2/0 etc? It's time for a revolution!

Rob

[james_carpman]

Originally Posted by Rob M

One thing occurred to me today. I bought some freshwater gear/tackle and noticed the size of the hooks I bought (12,14,16). They seem very small, but they catch very big carp . So why are we messing around with size 2,4, 1/0, 2/0 etc? It's time for a revolution!

Rob

Coming from Coarse Fishing i agree, there seems to be a trend in sea fishing to beast all the tackle up, whereas my fishing in freshwater has always been about really balanced tackle. I think the big hooks are good when using big baits, but they look really funny to me compared to the days of landing 20lb+ carp on size 8 hooks! let alone fishing with size 22 on the Grand Union Canal in winter!

So what is everyone elses view?

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Well this is interesting

It depends on your bait and as rag mackerel are quite large baits then the hook needs to fit the bait

But when wressing or after bream the go small

I know andyg uses freshwater hooks from the boat when going for bream and does very well ( as so do many more )

We in the sea fishing size do tend to go over boated on the hook size

[fishypaul]

i think its a case of what you feel comfortable with,
i was told many years ago by an old timer that you can catch big fish on small hooks but you can't catch small fish on big hooks,
i tend to stick with the smallest hooks i think i can get away with,

after spending a winter thrashing about on beaches with 6oz leads there is something special in catching fish with a match rod and 2lb line and size 20 hook.

[derby4life]

does seem a bit wierd but then you can't put peeler crab on a size 20 hook !!

hope the Gills stay up fishypaul

[Brian of Nazareth]

I don't like the way sea fish swallow small hooks too deep, I put most fish back and larger hooks don't get swallowed deep by undersize fish. I've used small hooks in worms for flatties but they end up in the fishes guts and I hate that.

[duncan]

single maggot on a size 18 seems pretty much in proportion to a single mackerel on a 10/0 to me - am I missing something?

[A fluff chucker]

I'm really against causing a fish so much stress it is unable to recover when returned.

Sea fish can be landed on very light line/tackle in the open sea. With no refuge for the fish and a patient angler in a following boat you will 'wear out' and seriously stress the fish - it will die.

I say use tackle balanced to the fish - enjoy a good fight - enjoy returning and watching the fish 'swim off' to fight again another day.

Respect your fish; please !!!!!

[CHUBB]

i always use light tackle, maybe to light sometimes....
i used to use size 24 hooks in sea fishing but almost all of the time the fish swallowed the hook , now the smallest hook i use is a size 6.

[james_carpman]

Originally Posted by A fluff chucker

I'm really against causing a fish so much stress it is unable to recover when returned.

Sea fish can be landed on very light line/tackle in the open sea. With no refuge for the fish and a patient angler in a following boat you will 'wear out' and seriously stress the fish - it will die.

I say use tackle balanced to the fish - enjoy a good fight - enjoy returning and watching the fish 'swim off' to fight again another day.

Respect your fish; please !!!!!

I've never known a well handled fish to die, no matter how long and drawn out the fight. As long as the fish is supported long enough in the water to get enough oxygen into it's system again it'll be fine.