Hooklengths vs straight through, the verdict?

[RPM]

As I am just renewing my line for a days action tomorrow and for the rest of the season, a thought occured to me which has puzzled me for years.

 

All rigs and set ups seem to include a hooklength smaller than the main line. I can understand why this is however, why do we need hooklegths at all rather than just fishing the straight through with the desired mm/lbs which is to be tied to the hook as the main line also.

 

Mechanically, isnt it the case that by adding a knot you are adding a weak point and by not doing so the integrity of the rig is improved. Surely the strength of the line is only as strong as its weakest point i.e. 16lb main through to a 8lb hooklength will only be as strong as the 8lb section. So why not simply use a 8lb straight through and not introduce weakness by virtue of the angler's ability to tie a decent knot or by the knot itself?

 

As a hooklegth user myself, I can never really uderstand why I bother.

 

Any views???

[seph]

The simple answer is that if a breakage occurs it will, 99% of the time go at the wekest point this being your hooklength. If this was not there, then you could potentially have 20ft+ of line being towed around by the fish which could tether the fish and kill it.

[RUDD]

The only time I ever fish straight through without a hooklength is when using a shallow pole rig in the margins.

[Larry]

It also enables you fish with a different type of line for hook link such as braid. hi tech , flouro carbon

[MALC2]

The simple answer is that if a breakage occurs it will, 99% of the time go at the wekest point this being your hooklength. If this was not there, then you could potentially have 20ft+ of line being towed around by the fish which could tether the fish and kill it.

 

Never straight through.

[GlennB]

All rigs and set ups seem to include a hooklength smaller than the main line. I can understand why this is however, why do we need hooklegths at all rather than just fishing the straight through with the desired mm/lbs which is to be tied to the hook as the main line also.

 

A few reasons I can think of -

 

A weakness in the main line might well be even worse than the weakness caused by the knot. Palomars (eg) are very solid. So using a lighter hooklength saves a fish hauling loads of line if there's a break.

 

If you're using mainline/hooklength connection you might just as well have slightly finer presentation at the hook end.

[Dick Dastardly]

Not going to bother.Im fed up with having to defend such a basic angling fundemental whilst having to constantly put up with "Carp saftey is us" types telling us what we can and cant do.

 

Go buy some fishing books.

[John S]

Not going to bother.Im fed up with having to defend such a basic angling fundemental whilst having to constantly put up with "Carp saftey is us" types telling us what we can and cant do.

 

Go buy some fishing books.

 

Then simply don't answer Budgie, but don't castigate someone for asking a 'simple' question. Unlike other forums, people can ask 'simple' questions on here without fear of being chastised. We all have to learn somewhere, and I like to think that this is one of the best places to learn simply because there are so many people willing to give advice based on experience.

 

RPM, apart from the answer already given (the hooklength will tend to break before the mainline), having a thinner hooklength also improves the presentation of the bait. In addition, some materials have little or no elasticity (hi-tech lines for one). If you use a hi-tech line straight through, you run a real risk of snapping the line on the strike or pulling the hook free, whereas normal mono will stretch and act as a shock absorber.

 

I hope the fishing went good

[Dick Dastardly]

A bit unfair that John as my remarks werent aimed at the guy who asked the origonal question.

 

If you wish to read some of the many other threads on the subject you may see why.

 

I dont think my willingness to answer a question from anyone needs defending.

 

Think I will take your "Advice" though and as I said simply not bother any more.That at least will save you the effort of having to climb up on your high horse.

Edited June 3, 2006 by BUDGIE

[poledark]

Budgie...."calm down, calm down"

 

I feel the same as you re simple basic questions..."go read a book" is what I also think, BUT, the questioners treat this forum as their book, we had no internet to learn from so had to read a book/s.

 

They also want "instant" answers in this day and age.

 

RPM, a simple guide as to why use finer hooklengths is to ask yourself what dia/BS you need to present the hook and bait, i.e. a No 18 hook will look silly on 8lb line, and a No 6 would be silly on 1.1BS line

 

Den