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What Size Hook for Carp?
Choosing the right size of carp hook is a very important issue that translates to the final result of a perfectly hooked fish in your landing net. When selecting the proper hook size, one can consider the season, although it often simply comes down to the size of the bait used. The most common hook sizes are 2, 4, 6, and 8, but one can also find extremely large or small sizes such as 1 and 10.
Hooks in Size 1 and 2
These are quite large hooks that feature a wide gape and thick wire. They are very strong and securely penetrate the mouths of even the biggest fish. Such hooks are designated for large baits of 24 mm or 30 mm in diameter. They are often used in challenging conditions where it is necessary to hold the fish firmly to prevent it from getting into snags.
Hooks in Size 4
Without a doubt, this is the most popular and commonly chosen hook size. Its size allows for the use with the most versatile bait sizes – from 18 mm to 20 mm. However, by extending the hair length accordingly, there is nothing to stop you from using this hook size with 24 mm and larger baits. This size also allows for safely playing fish in difficult conditions.
Hooks in Size 6
Size 6 is a hook size that pairs very well with smaller baits. It is most commonly used with boilies of 14-16 mm or bait pellets. However, it can be used with larger baits by appropriately extending the hair. This size is also often used for rigs like Spinner/Ronnie Rig with 15 mm pop-ups.
Hooks in Size 8 and 10
These are hooks that are used with very small boilies or grains. They are most commonly used for rigs suited for the method feeder. Due to their small size, they are recommended for clear waters free of snags and vegetation. It's also worth mentioning that they are often used for rigs intended for Zig Rig fishing.
That's a brief overview of choosing the right hook size for a given bait size. However, it is important to remember that carp fishing is all about experimentation, and one can try matching various bait sizes with different hooks.