Wide Gape Hooks

[pole10.4]

I was just wondering 'In what situation would I use or need to use a wide gape hook?'

 

I undertand that they have the point slightly angled inwards - is that just to catch more fish?

 

Mark, pole10.4

[garyagreen]

i think they are abit like some of the semi circle hooks

 

i rate them over normal hooks

[lutra]

They tend to work better with bigger baits like paste, bread, corn and so on.

[poledark]

I have always favoured wide gape hooks such as Super Specialists...no interned point. My understanding is that the relationship between shank length and gape determins whether a hook is wide or narrow gape.

 

If some of the newer tackle companies choose to change what has stood for many years, like some have with swivel sizes, then it will only lead to confusion.

 

Den

[lutra]

I have always favoured wide gape hooks such as Super Specialists...no interned point. My understanding is that the relationship between shank length and gape determins whether a hook is wide or narrow gape.

 

If some of the newer tackle companies choose to change what has stood for many years, like some have with swivel sizes, then it will only lead to confusion.

 

Den

 

Yes got me scratching my head.

 

I always thought the hook size was governed by the gape so how you can have wide, narrow or anything gape hooks is beyond me as that would alter the hook size.

[Guest tigger]

Most companies have quite a large difference of hook sizes nowadays. Really you have to have a look at the hooks you want (size) against other companies hooks to decide the ones you want.

[mjbarnes12]

Most companies have quite a large difference of hook sizes nowadays. Really you have to have a look at the hooks you want (size) against other companies hooks to decide the ones you want.

 

very true, I have some kamasan animals size 20's and kamasan b(something or the others) in 16's and they are the same size pretty much?!?!?!?

[lutra]

Most companies have quite a large difference of hook sizes nowadays. Really you have to have a look at the hooks you want (size) against other companies hooks to decide the ones you want.

 

Doesnt help the beginner to our sport much when we have the power of a rod measured in tc that doesn't tell you that much about the power of a rod, line that doesnt break or have the diameter it says on the spool and hooks that aren't the size it says on the packet.

 

Not much wonder phrases like "it was this big" are common in angling.

[poledark]

Lutra, I take your point, but if you have a long shanked hook with the same gape as a short shank hook then the relationship between length and gape differs.

 

Den

[Dick Dastardly]

My understanding of the term "wide" gape is that its determined as Den says.

 

This buisness of some size (for example) 16's being bigger than another companies (for example again) 12's has really come about due to the newer "shape" of some of the patterns now being used.The first hook "shapes" I remember doing this were the curved "sedge" hooks used for fly tying.These became quite poular for carping at one time ()mainly due to the eye being inline with the hook point) and several "modern" carp patterns now look like these.If you look carefully however you will notice that its the shank being curved that makes the hook look so much bigger than a similar size hook of another pattern

 

A "match" hook which Ive found exhibits this "to big for given size" thing is the allready mentioned Kamasan "Annimal" as said in this pattern the point curves in but dont get this design confused with a circle hook as they are very different under close examination and in their use.

 

Two reasons I can come up with in answer to the origonal question-

 

Wide gape for wide bait!

 

A shorter shank to gape ratio provides a totally different set of "leverage" principles than a long shank narrow gape.In my opinion better for keeping big fish on as they are not so prone to bending under pressure.