ASK THE EXPERTS
This month's winning question:
Hi,
As a relative newcomer to the carp scene (about 14 months) and after reading most of the carping publications and the questions about scaling-down, etc. during the leaner winter months, I was wondering if it would be possible for someone on the panel to produce a bait to hook size ratio list. Many experts suggest scaling-down (some also don’t) but they all seem to say use a smaller bait and hook. I have no idea really, other than my own thoughts (more than likely wrong) as to what size hook marries up nicely to a certain size bait/boilie, i.e. is a 10mm boilie OK with a Size 10 hook? Or a grain of corn with a Size 14 hook etc., etc.?
What are the chances of someone compiling a suggested list of hook sizes to boilie sizes/shapes/artificials or commonly used baits?
Many thanks in anticipation.
Ian Harley,
West Midlands.
When it comes to the size of your hook compared to your hookbait, I really don't think there are any hard and fast rules. For me, the main factor is to keep everything balanced. To give you an example of this, many moons ago, around 20 years in fact, when the Bent Hook Rig came about, one of the best hooking rigs I ever used incorporated a Size 2/0 Aberdeen hook with a very small, around 12mm, ultra-buoyant pop-up. Although it looked ridiculous, boy did it catch me some fish, but unfortunately, at times it did some terrible damage to the fish, so it was quite rightly banned on most waters. What I'm trying to get across is that if you can negate the weight of the hook, so your hookbait acts like a free offering, I don't think it makes much difference. From a personal point of view, I really don't think a carp knows what a hook is, regardless of what size it may be. It makes me laugh when I see rigs with stuff like fake weed, etc. all over the hook, trying to mask or hide it. I want the hook to do its job properly and go to great lengths, especially on weedy waters, to get my rig on a clear spot, so why put something on the hook which may cut down your chances?
Stunning Frimley mirror on a balanced setup.
These days, a lot of my fishing comprises the use of a bottom bait and some kind of buoyant bait, be it a pop-up or fake buoyant corn, maize, etc. Once on the Hair, the buoyant part of the hookbait is trimmed down with a pair of scissors until the whole thing just sinks and settles down on the lakebed. I've caught untold fish on this setup and have the utmost confidence in it.
Try to keep things balanced.
I also know somebody who uses very large baits (24mm) and fishes them with a very small, Size 10 hook and he catches loads, so don't be afraid to experiment a little.
At the end of the day, try to find something which works for you and in which you have confidence, because that’s the main thing.
I hope this helps.
Steve ‘Moggy’ Mogford
