Drennan Super Specialist Barbel Eye Size

[Anderoo]

If you can't get the line back through to make the loop that the bait hangs off, just either hook the bait or use a normal (short) hair. Both work fine.

[Guest tigger]

If you can't get the line back through to make the loop that the bait hangs off, just either hook the bait or use a normal (short) hair. Both work fine.

 

 

 

Yeah or just use a bigger hook or a different hook. I used a drennan barbel hook on a bolt rig last week but it was a size 12's. I used that with a hair rig and hooked the tincas no prob's, you don't have to use a size 14's.

[lutra]

Personally Ive always been happy with Super Specialist hooks and don't see the point in using the heavier barbel hook for this kind of fishing, but I'm sure Mr Bowler can as they cost a lot more.

[Anderoo]

It's a good point actually, for a couple of seasons I've been using ESP raptors in size 10 for tench because they're a nice grey colour, a really tiny micro-barb and have the most incredibly sharp straight point. But they cost £3.50 for 10! And because the point is so sharp they blunt ever so easily. When fishing over a gravelly spot, a packet doesn't last long at all.

 

I'm going to try to find something similar with a very slightly curved point and that doesn't cost so much.

[Guest tigger]

I used the drennan super spade hook in size 14's also recently and hooked the bait directly on the hook(although you could attach a small hair ) and they are very sharp and actually seem to hook the fish better than the thicker and more expensive barbel hooks. Also they've never bent or showed any signs of weakness and are only a pound for ten.

[Anderoo]

The Kamasan Animals are good, in fact ideal for what I want, but just too shiny for my liking.

[Guest tigger]

The Kamasan Animals are good, in fact ideal for what I want, but just too shiny for my liking.

 

 

 

It was the shiny'ness of the animals that did put me off them a bit but I find them to be brilliant and the shiny'ness doesn't seem to put the fish off at all(maybe it attracts them). I either use them or the drennan superspades I think there very similar both have a small efficient barb. The drennans are a bronze colour if you like a more subtle colour. The good thing about those two hooks is you can stick them in the rubbish bag after using them due to their price ensuring a nice new and sharp hook for next time.

[Angly]

If you can't get the line back through to make the loop that the bait hangs off, just either hook the bait or use a normal (short) hair. Both work fine.

 

I had considered that as a B option, but presumed that Martin Bowler's method of attachment was done for some particular reason (other than to sell X Line which just happens to be the thinnest per lb flourocarbon line I have found so far, and therefore the only line that trick is possible with on that size hook!)?

[Anderoo]

I had considered that as a B option, but presumed that Martin Bowler's method of attachment was done for some particular reason (other than to sell X Line which just happens to be the thinnest per lb flourocarbon line I have found so far, and therefore the only line that trick is possible with on that size hook!)?

 

There are plenty of ways to achieve the same thing Angly, if you're having trouble with it. One way could be to use a tiny O ring which you thread onto the hook and hold it in place on the shank/bend (wherever you want it) with little rubber stops that you thread onto the hook - one either side of the tiny O ring. Then thread your (fake) baits onto some mono and tie them to the O ring. That would achieve the same effect as the D ring, although to be honest it is pretty fiddly and not much different to a short normal hair tied with a knotless knot!

[lutra]

There are plenty of ways to achieve the same thing Angly,

Yep, When i first started to use hair rigs i just used a little loop of 2lb line that had been past once through the eye of the hook and was held in position down the shank with small pole float rubber of a suitable colour. It worked well for me back then and i think it might even have disguised the hook a bit.