HOOKS AND RIGS

Hooks come in many different forms which can often be confusing when trying to purchase. Listed here are some of the main types used for freshwater fishing. Size of the hook depends on the type of fishing from size 2 for large Carp to size 22 for small Roach etc.

BARBLESS POINT-this is now the only hook allowed on most waters in the UK as it causes less damage to the Fish and is easy to remove.

BARBED POINT- now banned on most waters as they were seen to do damage to the Fish as they were  difficult to remove by novice anglers.

MICRO BARB- this is mainly found in smaller hooks only with the tiny barb helping when playing fish on very light line and tackle.

TREBLE HOOKS- used mainly when fishing with live/dead baits for predator Fish and used with a steel trace between line and hook.

All the above hooks come in 3 main types:

SPADE END- the best type of hook for tying as it hangs better on the line but can take a long time to master the art of tying correctly.

EYED HOOK- the most common hooks purchased as they are easy to tie.

READY TIED HOOKS- mainly used by novice anglers as they are already tied and can be tied to the main line easily (NOT TREBLE HOOKS)

Listed below are some of the most common rigs used in both ledger and Carp fishing.

IN LINE RIG- where the line is threaded through the centre of the lead allowing the bait to be taken without the weight of the lead being felt.

HELICOPTER RIG- the main line is attached to the lead with the hooklength attached to a swivel above the lead causing less tangles.

HAIR RIG- the most common rig used in Carp fishing where the bait is placed on a small loop of line behind the hook. New forms of this Rig are being made all the time such as the D-RIG and the ANTI-EJECT RIG but they all work on the same principle.