Hooks for float fishing for Barbel.

johnnyfby · Aug 14, 2010

In my limited experience of fishing the Trent for barbel, I have used Size 10 Super specialists, but they are slightly too thick a gauge in the wire, blunt easily and pop the maggots. I also used some old Mustad Long point hooks size 12 yesterday which were very good but the point blunted after a couple of fish and they are also not made anymore.
What i would like is some other hook ideas from other Barbel anglers, so i am not stocking up on some hooks that are not suitable. So any ideas/suggestions on a straight pointed, strong, eyed hook in sizes from a 10-16. From other anglers float fishing for Barbel.

Thank You In advance

Jon

quickcedo · Aug 14, 2010

Kamasan animals. I know they're bright but that's never been an issue for me. Tough as old boots. Barbed or barbless. Cheap as chips.

Sean Meeghan · Aug 14, 2010

Have a look at the Gamakatsu wide gape specialists. They are a nice strong relatively fine gauge hook. They are a bit light for general barbel fishing as I've had one start to open (10lb line, 1.5lb test curve rod) on a big fish after a hard fight, but they will be fine for heavy float gear.

richiekelly · Aug 14, 2010

were the mustad hooks that you used super specialist? they are still made but can be difficult to get, i have had fish into double figures on them on sizes as small as a 14 they are very strong.

Steve Handley · Aug 14, 2010

My favourite hooks for float fishing for barbel on the Middle Trent are the Preston PR21 or the PR29 barbless hooks to nylon in sizes 14 and 12, very reliable and excellent for presenting maggots or hookable pellets. I would advise attaching the hooklength to the mainline with a small swivel so that the lines don't cut into each other through the strain of a powerful fish.

I rarely fish for the barbel on the Trent nowadays with the usual bomb or feeder approach especially in the summer when the water levels are low, much more enjoyable and often more effective to trot the float as though trotting for roach, but with stepped up gear and steady loose feed each run through to get the fish into a feeding frenzy and competing with each other.

Catch a barbel on the float and you'll never want to fish with that 'carp' gear again!

kevin butler · Aug 14, 2010

hooks

i have just bought today tiemco fly hooks pattern tmc 2487bl in size 16 . i saw them the other week & thought they would be perfect for specimen maggot / caster fishing for tench , barbel , chub , bream . they have a curved shank & in turned eye . they are the same pattern as the fox arma point ssc(b) carp hook . they do them in sizes 12s to 20s & at £3.65 for 20hooks they are well werth a look . the bloke in the shop said they are the only make of fly hooks he uses , strong as an oxe he said .check them out . kev

tigger · Aug 14, 2010

I use drennan super spades and kamasan animals in sizes from 12's to 18's when trotting for barbel...or ewt else for that matter.

ide · Aug 15, 2010

I use Drennan carbon specimen these are a slight thinner of the wire then a drennan super specialist and they are strong enough for any barbel/carp that swims

gr jerry

johnnyfby · Aug 15, 2010

Thanks for all your comments, i do like the Drennan Carbon specimens, animals and will also look at the super spades. I have seen the tmc 2487 but dont like the curve shank, but i also found tmc 2488h which looked good. Sean cant find a Gama stockist near me but will have a look if i donty find wh i am after.

Thanks all for some good replies, will let you know how i get on.

Jon

Paul C · Aug 16, 2010

If you are having problem with them going blunt easily, you will probably find the same with the Super Spades.

A very good hook for float fishing for barbel is the Fox Series Carp Match hooks. They stay sharp and are very strong. However, be aware they are big for their quoted size. A 16 is probably the size of many 12's.

Stick_Float · Aug 16, 2010

The super specialist is certainly my favourite hook for trotting for chub, and the occasional barbel that I've picked up this way have given me no problems down to a size 16. I am super confident with them, and can't remember having one get straightened out.

tigger · Aug 16, 2010

Another hook which is large for it's stated size but seems to be very good is the fox series carp match. I've used them on my last few trotting sessions and I'm impressed with them. They're only £1.25 in the tackle shops also so not a silly price like many of the hooks out there. They do them in eyed and spade ends also so they would be good for bolt style set ups with a haired bait. Ther'e also quite light weight compared to other specimine hooks out there.

johnnyfby · Aug 17, 2010

I had a look at a few then i tried out these new Mustad specialist -http://www.crazycarp.com/710/Mustad-Eyed-Specialist-Barbed-Commercial-Coarse-Hooks.html?referrer=froogle&utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid710 - which i thought were very good for the money and a good shape, longpoiny for fishing with multiple maggots.

Thank you for all the suggestion, which doesnt only help me but fellow anglers.

Jon

dezza · Aug 28, 2010

I have been using Kamasan Animal hooks in size 12, 14 and 16 for barbel on the Trent. They seem to hold up OK.

Some of the Preston eyed hooks look very good too.

And try fluorocarbon hook lengths for your float fishing. The Trent is extremely clear at the moment and this might help.

Hooks for float fishing for Barbel.

johnnyfby

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quickcedo

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Sean Meeghan

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richiekelly

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Steve Handley

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kevin butler

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tigger

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ide

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johnnyfby

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Paul C

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Stick_Float

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tigger

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johnnyfby

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dezza

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