The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

These are my favourite hooks. I find it very frustrating that I find a really good hook and then the manufacturers stop making them!

If I find a favourite pattern is getting difficult to locate, I usually start stocking up on them.

The Drennan fine wire hooks were the hook with which I caught most of my big roach and rudd when fishing with bread. I think these are the last of my supply. The B532 below are what I'm trying as a substitute although they are spade-end and not eyed. I use them because they are very light yet strong enough for the job.

The B611 are a very strong with a reliable hook hold. I landed three Brown trout around three pound each, in very fast water, last time out using these hooks although, I was really after grayling. I've also landed my best grayling of 3lb and 3lb 4oz on size 16s also tench over 5lbs. They are probably one of the strongest hooks in the smaller sizes. I only use them in sizes 14 and 16.

The Drennan Carbon Chub hooks (of which I have a supply) are my choice for chub fishing with maggots. I've landed quite a few 4/5lb chub on these. I also use these in swims where there is a chance of big fish such as chub or big perch, particulary in strong currents.

For standard fishing with smaller size hooks I use the B520s. I keep trying other patterns but have always returned to the B520s and I have landed some fairly large fish on them.

The Drennan Fine Match are for very light fishing with small baits for wary fish. They are very sharp and good hookers but they can be straightened if the fish is not played carefully however, Kev Clifford and I, landed perch to 2lb and bream to 4lb plus some decent roach on these hooks.

The B983 I've been using for ages for chub, tench, big perch and mullet when fishing with big baits such as bread, cheese, lobworms etc. They are very sharp, hold well and not too heavy.

I use heavier patterns for carp and barbel but I'm not keen on some of the very strong hooks in the smaller sizes when used with strong line as they tend to tear the fish's mouth.

Good to see someone else recognises a good hook Phil the B532

I use Drennan hooks most of the time but Raptors get some use for Carp, I think they are super sharp out of the packet and give a good hold.

Mark wrote:For this seasons carp fishing I am going to try the Nash Fang Uni hooks for surface fishing and Fang Twister hooks for bottom fishing, both types in various sizes.

I know they are a lot more expensive but they are also supposed to be a lot sharper than most other hooks. I will see if they make any difference to my carp fishing this year.

Mark - I think Fang Twisters, though pretty ugly, and designed for boilies, are excellent hooks for huge chunks of flake or crust, on the top or on the bottom - and I think I must thank those hooks for increasing my hit rate for surface bread - they really seem to make a big difference.

Thank you Gary.

Mark wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2016 4:08 pm For this seasons carp fishing I am going to try the Nash Fang Uni hooks for surface fishing and Fang Twister hooks for bottom fishing, both types in various sizes.

I know they are a lot more expensive but they are also supposed to be a lot sharper than most other hooks. I will see if they make any difference to my carp fishing this year.

Hello Mark,

I have been looking at these hooks and saw your post and was keen to find out how you faired with the "Fangs"??

Kind regards,

Chris

They are sharper Chris but for the extra cost I find them no better than the Drennan hooks I was using previously and have reverted back to the Drennan hook.

Thanks Mark.

I may stick with the Drennans too.

Cheers

Chris

I'm a bit of a stick in the mud, I have been using QM1's in all sizes, since they first came out, and gave all my other hooks to my son, so now it's one brand for everything, so much simpler for my old brain Mind you, trying to tie a hair rig on a size 18 is getting to be a bit of a job, now my eyesight is failing.
Rod

I use all barbless or barbed with the barb crushed, I've tried micro barbs but I could hardly see the barb and found them hard to remove. I struggle to tie 18's or smaller unless I put my cheapo 1.5. reading glasses on first! That was part of why I stopped using spade ends, that and finding one of those plastic hook tiers is quite tricky now....

I've tried other brands but I like Drennan and have gone back to them. My hook wallet has quite a few packets in it, these are my favourites:

- Drennan super specialist in the larger sizes 14 - 8, mainly if I'm night fishing or using larger baits
- Drennan sweet corn corn 14,16 for anywhere with carp/tench, they are great with baits like cockles, corn, meat and bread
- Khammasan fine wire match 14,16,18
- Drennan feeder hooks, mainly for my bream and silvers on the river

Some long shank 8's that were meant for carp, (the ones Fred Heeley uses) I use them for eel's. They are some kind of posh specimen hook with the angled eye and weird shape bend...

I still have some Preston innovations pinch barbs in a 12. These were good as they had a flat bit that worked as a barb but came out like a barbless, only issue was they can straighten if you get a decent carp on.

I'm working my way through my old packets then I'll renew on just the common ones I use. I'm convinced half of these modern designs make no difference...