Selecting the correct hook sizes for carp fishing is a necessary part of the process. You must select the hook size according to the size of the carp’s mouth and the size of the bait that you will be using. If the hook is too large for the carp’s mouth, the carp wont be able to take the bait into its mouth.
However, if the hook is too small for the size of the carp, it will not be able to hold the carp. These factors must all be considered when selecting an apropriate hook size. The size of the carp’s mouth are related to the weight of the carp that is being targeted.
How to Pick the Right Hook Size for Carp Fishing
Common carp that weigh between 5 and 25 pounds can be caught using medium wire hooks because the medium wire hooks will fit the mouths of 5 to 25 pound carp. If the carp that is targeted weigh more than 30 pounds, then the carp will require heavier wire hooks and wider gaps between the hooks point and the hooks bend. Mirror carp also have stronger mouths than other types of carp, so they will require heavier wire hooks to help hold the fishes.
However, the size of the hook should not always be the largest hook size possible if the water visibility are high. The shape of the hook will also have an impact on the type of bait that will be used. If the bait that will be used are boilies, then the hook that will be used should have a looped bend to allow the bait to slide onto the hook.
If the carp will use pop-up bait, then the carp will require curved shank hook so that the bait will hook into the lip of the carp. Additionally, if the carp will be baited with particles or worms, then a long shank hook will make it more easier to unhook the fish from the hook. Finally, if the bait that will be used is maggots, then a spade-end hook should be used since the spade end hook will not interfere with the bait.
The size of the bait will determine the size of the hook that is used. If using sweetcorn as bait, a smaller hook will be required since sweetcorn is a small amount of bait. For 20mm boilie bait, a wide gape hook will be required for the 20mm boilie to pass the hook point.
For tiger nuts, medium sized hook should be used. The size of the bait should be matched to the size of the hook gap; if the bait is too large for the gap, the carp will spit out the bait before it can hook onto the carps mouth. The type of rig will also affect the type of hook that should be used.
If using an inline lead, a wide gape hook will allow the bait to be pinned to the gravel. For semi-fixed clips, the rig will allow the carp to be ejected when they is being fought. For running leads, the hook should be fine since the carp will be fighting in more pressure waters.
For zigs, which are used for mid-water carp, the hooks should be tiny since the carp will be caught in the mid-water. However, bottom rig will require heavier hooks for the carp to be caught on the bottom of the lake. The line that is used will also have to be compatible with the hook that is selected.
For smaller carp using smaller sized hooks, use a lighter test line for monofilament line between 8 and 12 pounds. For larger carp, 15 to 20 pound test line or braid should be used since braid has no stretch and allows the angler to feel every movement of the fish. Lastly, the hooks must be sharp.
To check if the hooks are sharp, drag the point of the hook across the thumbnail. If the point of the hook grab the thumbnail, it is sharp. However, if the point of the hook slides across the thumbnail, the hook is dull.
Make sure that dull hook are replaced frequently when carp are being caught. You should of checked them more often to avoid dissapearing fish.