Method feeder and specimens
In fresh waters, the method feeder and the specimen fishing have opened the field of possibilities. The method feeder completes the range of the feederist, while the specimen fishing makes the link between the world of the carp and the one of the shot all techniques taken together. These two techniques have their own equipment and I will focus on the most terminal of them, the hook!
Fine, medium or large iron?
Considering the size of the fish taken as a target, this question does not even arise: the iron will be strong a point it is all! By the way, I have a very happy memory of a fishing in a specimen pond: fantastic bites, fishes of more than 10 kg and a lot of hooks well straightened. That day, in fact, I was ill-prepared and my tackle was suitable for classic strong fishing, but not for the average size of this pond. And I won't even talk about my first steps in the river where I broke 1 time out of 6 on the barbel and carp I was targeting.
Since then, in these cases, I completely assume the following concept: to fish sportingly is to fish as big as possible and as thin as necessary.
The reason is twofold, but simple to understand: first, avoiding leaving hooks and wire in the fish's mouth is a plus for its survival and, second, shortening a painful fight for the fish is the promise of getting it back in shape in the water. You don't release a fish in good condition when you've been fiddling for 90 minutes because the line is too thin.
The rules to follow
The rule of matching the hook size to the bait always works, as does the line diameter/hook size balance. If I never fish with butcher hooks, on the line side, I only go under 17/100 at the method in winter and you will never see me using leaders under 20/100 at the specimen in the river.
For these fisheries, a hook must have the following qualities:
- Have a strong iron and a perfect temper
- Be compact, therefore light and strong
- Promote self-fastening
Satisfactory choices
- Kamasan T360 in 14 to 10: little known, the T360 is a circle hook just like the Guru QM1. It has all the qualities of the QM1 but with a better tempering (for more durability) and a lower price (which is double good news). A must for the hair method.
- Guru Kaizen from 14 to 10 : excellent hook for more difficult pond fishing, especially with longer leaders and a bait spiked on the hook.
- Gamakatsu Specialist RX from 12 to 8 : by far the best hook for fishing specimen in river (or elsewhere). It does not dull in the gravel, its iron is strong and very hard and it is available with or without barb. Perfect for the hair or to hook baits.
In conclusion, a good hook is necessary, but it is not everything. A well-balanced material, a good shoeing and a proper technique of working the fish complete the base, let's not forget it.
