Drennan Super Specialist Barbel Eye Size

[Angly]

Does the new Drennan Super Specialist Barbel hook have a larger eye than the corresponding size standard Super Specialist? My local tackle shop doesn't stock the former for me to make a comparison myself.

 

I ask because of the Martin Bowler video (his site appears to be down just now, but the one detailing his inline feeder bolt rig conversion for the carp & the tench) where he manages to pass line through the eye of a 14 Super Specialist Barbel three times. I'm using 0.33mm (stated) fluorocarbon, and the smallest Super Specialist I can do that with (and even then it takes me a great many attempts) is a 10.

[Angly]

OK, his site back up now:

 

Top Tips & Little Touches: Bolt Rig Feeder Conversion

[lutra]

Does the new Drennan Super Specialist Barbel hook have a larger eye than the corresponding size standard Super Specialist?

Yes, but a Super Specialist Barbel hook is a slightly bigger hook as a corresponding sized standard Super Specialist will sit inside it.

[Guest tigger]

Martin Bowler seems to be making a big deal of a rig which is nothing out of the ordinary. To me it's just a sales pitch for tackle/line/hooks etc. I reckon what he did with the feeder was just nonsense and a lot of fiddling for nothing. People seem to think the more complicated a rig the better it'll work, which just isn't true.

[Angly]

Yes, but a Super Specialist Barbel hook is a slightly bigger hook as a corresponding sized standard Super Specialist will sit inside it.

 

Ah right, thank you. So what size Super Specialist best approximates the size of a 14 Super Specialist Barbel?

[lutra]

Martin Bowler seems to be making a big deal of a rig which is nothing out of the ordinary. To me it's just a sales pitch for tackle/line/hooks etc. I reckon what he did with the feeder was just nonsense and a lot of fiddling for nothing. People seem to think the more complicated a rig the better it'll work, which just isn't true.

Yes i know what you mean, but I think he must fish with Anderoo, as you can buy Inline maggot feeders now. May be he will make a new video selling them soon.

[Angly]

Martin Bowler seems to be making a big deal of a rig which is nothing out of the ordinary. To me it's just a sales pitch for tackle/line/hooks etc. I reckon what he did with the feeder was just nonsense and a lot of fiddling for nothing. People seem to think the more complicated a rig the better it'll work, which just isn't true.

 

I prefer to think of it as a new (to me) method, using his sponsored brand of tackle. I of course will try the method, but adapt it to tackle that I already own or have easily available to me. I imagine most real anglers (not that I'm classing myself as one mind) might do similarly.

[lutra]

Ah right, thank you. So what size Super Specialist best approximates the size of a 14 Super Specialist Barbel?

I don't know I'm at work now, but i will have a look tonight, but i would think 1 size up (size 12).

Edited April 28, 2009 by lutra

[Angly]

I don't know I'm at work now, but i will have a look tonight, but i would think 1 size up (size 12).

 

Excellent, look forward to your findings.

[Anderoo]

Yes i know what you mean, but I think he must fish with Anderoo, as you can buy Inline maggot feeders now. May be he will make a new video selling them soon.

 

I have bought some now, but haven't used them yet.

 

I wouldn't say it's a complicated rig, it's just a feeder with a short hooklink. You can get complicated with attaching bait to the hook, but there's no need to. A couple of maggots straight on the hook or a couple of hair-rigged fake ones would do the job. It is a very effective rig for tench, though.

 

All his videos are sales pitches, that much is certainly true. Check this one out: http://www.martinbowler.co.uk/index.cfm?fu...amp;video_id=35