Paste hooks for Chub

[iamfisherking]

Hi guys

Lost what could have been a very large Chub Friday. Straight from the strike it just tore off against the tight clutch,clamped down as much as I could to stop it and just as I was turning it the hook pulled. Absolutely gutted The hook seemed fine though when I inspected it, was still v sharp and not opened out or anything.

Now this is the first time I have lost a fish from a hook pull and also the first season using Drennan Barbel Super Specialists. Previously i was not using paste and using hooks with a curved point like Fox Arma. So it's got me doing a bit more research on hooks. From what I read pulled hooks do seem to crop up quite a bit on forums about this pattern. I have looked at a few alternatives with hooks with a Straight point but have a few queries if anyone can help:

- I know some people say straight point hooks are not best on a river with gravel bottoms but I figured that when using paste direct on the hook a straight point would improve penetration. I understand when using a hair for barbel a curved or beak point may be best as the hook is more exposed with no bait on it. Also my line of thinking was the curved point would effectively reduce the gape when mounting paste and so would be harder to leave an exposed point. What are your thoughts? Would I be better off going back to curved points?

- There are so many positive comments about the old Super Specialist hooks (the gold non barbel specific). However most comments i have come across from anglers who say how reliable they are are actually not using them these days. If they are that good is'nt everone using them

- I have read good reports on the ESP G-4 but like the Super Specialist above the shiny colour puts me off a bit. But does this really make a difference to the fish or just us anglers?

- I have read good stuff about the Pallatrax and Gardner hooks but again they have curved points and both shiny again. Is one better than the other or are they both pretty much the same.

- Korda and Fox I have used before prior to paste. They both have non reflective finishes. Both curved point though. Only issues here apart from being unsure about curved point is that I have had friends who have had Fox open out and the Korda seem a bit think in wire to set the hook with a 1.5oz quiver, through paste.

Any thoughts most welcome

Cheers

Matt

 

[Graham Elliott 1]

I like the Drennan long shank specialist hooks for my paste and flake fishing.

It makes it easier to leave the point clear when using a larger bait and the finer profile penetrates better than the super specialist

Managed two 7lb plusses for me.

My favourite barbel hook is the d7 raptor. Proven over many years..

 

[Keith M]

I like using both the Drennan Specialist hooks and occasionally the Drennan Barbel super specialist hooks when I am using hook mounted baits for Chub and Barbel because I can have the point protruding from the bait a little better, but when I am using a hair (usually for Barbel as I don't really like using a hair rig for Chub) I much prefer using either the Fox SSBP Arma Point Teflon hooks or Chub Teflon hooks or even Korum QuickStop hooks when using smaller pellets or smallish hair rigged redworms over gravel.

Maybe you had tightened down on the Chub while the bait was still firmly between its lips and had managed to lightly set the hook on the outside of its mouth?

I haven't had any hooking problems with straight points as long as I regularly check their sharpness, so maybe it was just bad luck for you this time.

Keith

 

[lambert1]

Like Graham I use long shank hooks for paste and have found the Solar Stronghold ones very good and have not lost a Chub on them yet. They seem harder to source now though.

 

[trotter2]

Use long shank hooks and forget hair rigs for chub.
My best chub hook is an Aberdeen sea hook

Look at the Black Eagle Aberdeen range

 

[lutra]

If the fish just tore off and came off when you tried to stop it. I'm not surprised you couldn't see anything wrong with the hook. IMO the highest chance is it was a fool hooked fish.

Caught shed loads of carp and barbel on the old Super Specialist. Why do you think you need a heavier hook for chub?

 

[iamfisherking]

Thanks for your replies guys

Lutra - I was exploring different hooks maybe for better hooking potential, not necessarily stronger hooks. Just that I had lost a bit of confidence in the Barbel Super Specialist that was all.

Keith M - You mention using the Super Specialist and occasionally the Barbel version. How do you rate the Super Specialist compared to the Barbel version? When do you use the Barbel version as opposed to the other when fishing for Chub?

Graham and Lambert1 - Which hook do you refer to as I can see both the Super Specialist and the Specimen hooks are both Medium shank, I can't find a long shank version on Drennans website.

Cheers everyone.

Final thought , is the general consensus then that when mounting bait on the hook that a straight point is prefered to a curved or beak?

Thanks again

Matt

 

[lutra]

The only difference I can see Matt between the barbel super specialist and standard super specialist is the barbel is a stronger hook (heavier wire).

I don't think there will be a big difference in the way the two fish with a big lump of paste on, but the thicker wire of the barbel hook will be a bit more resistant to pulling through the paste when you strike.

You may not care if fishing is slow or just after an odd biggy and your not casting a lot, but if your changing your hook a lot, the barbel hook is nearly three times the price which can add up.

My river pastes tend to be stiff and IMO will mask the gape of the hook if the hook is slow to pull through it. In my mind I can get away with that better with a straight pointed hook.

 

[macko]

The only hook I use when targeting Chub are the Kamasan B983.
Excellent hooks for paste, lobs, crust and meat.

ATB Macko

 

[floatfish]

Fishing bread flake for large Chub over the years any sharp size 10 or 8 should be fine , providing the point is showing. As if not it's possible the bread can
harden a bit and maybe pull out of the fishes mouth when you strike.
Otherwise when the float goes under at speed/ rod bends round you will connect more times than not..