A guide to hook choice

TEFLON COATED
These slick gunmetal grey hooks have become very popular among carp anglers since they first appeared on to the scene five years ago.
Many belive that the Teflon finish helps the hook retain it's sharpness and prevents corrosion which can occur in acidic waters with a low pH level. The dull finish also makes them hard to spot in clear water so a good choice for surface and stalking.

LONG SHANK
This pattern has come into favour in the last few years after much publicity from some respected anglers. Long shank hooks are avalible in various finishes. A sharp straight point and a slighty inturned eye are features to look out for when selecting a packet. This pattern offers great turning properties in the mouth of a carp. Many belive these hooks will get you more bites.

CURVED LONG SHANK
The negative reputation of these hooks often procedes them,because there is some evidence that they cause mouth damage. The subject has been debated since their launch and as a result have been banned on some waters. They do offer unique bait presentation, but the concensus is that they should only be used on big open waters.

SHORT SHANK
This classic carp hook pattern has survied the test of time and still remains popular. The wide gape and deliberately short shank produces secure hookholds that don't let you down as often as other patterns seem to do. Shrink tubing can be used to extend the shank making these hooks suitable for many presentations.

STRAIGHT POINT
When it comes to CensoredCensoredCensoredCensoredCensoreding fish many belive that straight point hooks offer the best ratio. This pick up to bite ratio however is slighty tainted as to how good the hookhold is. They do seem to be a good choice for open water and definately come into the frame when surface fishing.Here a strike is often needed to set the hook home and no pattern responds better than this one.

IN-TURNED POINT
A finely curved,in-turned point seems to produce good, secure hookholds. Such hooks are excellent choice in hit and hold situations, when you have to apply heavy pressure. In-turned points may not catch hold as quickly as their straight-pointed counterparts, but for putting fish on the bank they are one of the most reliable patterns you can use.

SPECIALIST
For open-water fishing where you can get away with scaling down your end gear right down a specialist-style hook pattern can be very handy.
They are often much stronger than they look and what they lack in size they make up for in being ultra sharp. For stalking carp on the float or zig rigs specialist hooks are a first choice for presentation.

BARBLESS
Some waters enforce the use of barbless hooks only while other venues have banned them. Having no barb does mean they will move in the mouth and increase the likelihood of hook pulls but on waters where you have no choice you must abide by the fishery rules. For the most secure hookholds it pays to use a short shank pattern with an inturned point.

LARGE
Size 4 hooks were very popular a couple of decades ago but then the trend for smaller baits and more advanced rigs has seen them rejected by many in favour of sizes 8 and 10.
However with a balanced bait set up a big hook can certainly be hard for the carp to deal with. It's worth looking at if you know that everyone else on the water is using scaled down gear.