Strong small hooks.

[Mike Crompton]

Hi,
I have used Drennan, Partridge and Kamasan hooks and some of unknown makers and have only very occasionally had problems. These have been with small very fine wire hooks where they tend to bend, straighten slightly. I check them carefully after landing a reasonably sized fish. The problem maybe due to a gradual deterioration of the shape with use.

[Aitch]

One of my pet hates is the lack of size standardisation... I think it was ESP who started bringing out their own sizes then everyone jumped on the bandwagon... some smaller sizes, say a 14 is the same size as a 10 from some makers.
I've had Korda wide gapes in a size six the same as old bronzed drennan size 2's

[Catfish.017]

Jack I fear it's all about balanced tackle. Out of my modest collection of cane rods there are only two I would risk using a size 16 with. These being the early fine tipped Record Breaker and the early Gloria. Even then I would prefer to use a 14. The 11' Floatcaster has a reasonable amount of backbone for a float rod and I think a 12 would be the smallest hook I would be comfortable using with it. That said I have in the past had a size6 Super Specialist straighten out in jungle warfare so maybe the design does have a propensity to do so? On the day at Kilbern I was using a size 12 Mustad nymph hook from the Seventies with my Abu Mk 5 . Granted I only caught two small Carp in the Hour or so I fished.

[Mike Crompton]

I agree with Aitch, a lack of standardisation of hook sizes is a growing problem. You need to look very carefully at the size, hook gape and shank length as well as the thickness of the steel.

[MaggotDrowner]

Thanks all for the ideas. I think I'm going to try a few and see what I like.

[Crucian]

You may wish to try Tubertini 808, I use them in the smaller sizes, 16,18, and 20. They are fine wire, barbless spade end. I have found them to be very reliable.

[Phil Arnott]

I agree with Aitch, a lack of standardisation of hook sizes is a growing problem. You need to look very carefully at the size, hook gape and shank length as well as the thickness of the steel.

I totally agree, when I ask for hooks in the tackle shop unless I know the pattern my answer is always I don't know let me have a look at them.

[Phil Arnott]

I've used Drennan super specialist hooks all my fishing life. But I'm losing faith in them.

During the TFF day on Monday I had 2 straighten out, leading to lost fish.

I was using 4lb line straight through, and a size 16. I was using my 11ft floatcaster and don't think I was putting on loads pressure.

Can you recommend any strong, small hooks?

A bit late in replying but here goes. I've used Drennan Chub Hooks in a size 16 for many years and was very disappointed when they stopped making them. Fortunately managed to snap some up so I have a supply. They are superb for putting some pressure on fish and I've landed quite a lot of 4/5lb chub on them using 3lb hook lengths.

I suspect that Drennan may well have renamed them and someone may know what they are now. If Drennan have moved production abroad as many companies have done then the quality is going to be suspect. Having said that I have had quality issues with Partridge hooks in the past probably due to getting a bad batch which have not been tempered correctly.

[MaggotDrowner]

I've used Drennan super specialist hooks all my fishing life. But I'm losing faith in them.

During the TFF day on Monday I had 2 straighten out, leading to lost fish.

I was using 4lb line straight through, and a size 16. I was using my 11ft floatcaster and don't think I was putting on loads pressure.

Can you recommend any strong, small hooks?

A bit late in replying but here goes. I've used Drennan Chub Hooks in a size 16 for many years and was very disappointed when they stopped making them. Fortunately managed to snap some up so I have a supply. They are superb for putting some pressure on fish and I've landed quite a lot of 4/5lb chub on them using 3lb hook lengths.

I suspect that Drennan may well have renamed them and someone may know what they are now. If Drennan have moved production abroad as many companies have done then the quality is going to be suspect. Having said that I have had quality issues with Partridge hooks in the past probably due to getting a bad batch which have not been tempered correctly.

Drennan moved abroad a long time ago.

[Phil Arnott]

One hook which I have a lot of faith in for strength is Kamasan B611. I've landed 3lb grayling on a size 16 and had total faith in the hook-hold and I've had a number of 4/5 tench on a size 14 with 5-6lb line. Hooks are a personal thing of which you have to build up faith in but the B611s are well worth trying. My experience is very positive.

Different hooks work in different sizes and I'd switch from B611s above size 12. For bigger baits I use Kamasan B983 for all except barbel and carp etc. I've caught a lot of chub and mullet to 5lb plus on B983s a superb hook hold with them.

I should have mentioned B611s are spade-end. I rarely use eyed hooks below size 12s.