Hook size

For the match men out there. What size hook do you use to scratch out a fish or two. I am now down to size 4 and find it hard to put the worms and other baits on. I guy in southside told me the top match men will go as low as 12s :shock: :shock: :shock: This cannot be true :?: :?: :?:
The sea bed is a big place and you must get a sent trail going to attach fish. A bait put on a hook so small :?: Can it work :idea: :idea: :idea:

Please help

Size 4's for flounder, Dabs and many of the other mini species and Juvinile fish is standard match practice. There are many more small fish in the sea that large ones, so fishing this small is necessary. A size four will pull in large fish as well. I had a 5lb huss last night on one.

As for size 12's, this would only be in extreme situations where nothing else seems to work or you keep getting bites and no hook ups. I know a person who fished this small and even smaller on the last scession of the Master angler this year to pick up the tiny eels. A size 12 with a tiny section of crab or crab leg worked for him. Alot of people were getting bites all day long but were not getting any hook ups.

As for getting bait on a size 4, you should match you bait to the hook size. Dig small lug and tip them off with maddies or small 2 inch strips of Mackeral. You can also use 3 inch sections of black wrap again tipped of with the bait of your choice. Small little sandeels also fit well onto a size 4.

think John answered the question. standard fair would be 4's, 2's and 1's. only go bigger if deliberately targetting good fish with good size baits. most of the smaller sizes will hold good fish once the sea is not big! had a 3lb bass bend a size 2 kamasan in a big sea- still landed em though! i know lads that go down to size 10's at times but this is usually for very specific reasons at certain times, presenting a bait a certain way.

I wouldn't be a match angler like Mark or John but a baiting needle makes putting sand eel and lug on small hooks alot easier. The rounded point for lug and a sharp point for sand eel works best. This can mean the bait is more prone to sliding up the snood so bait stops are a must. Bait must be matched to hook size or bites will be missed but tipping with a sliver or mack or squid once through can help prevent this.

Donagh

I wouldn't be a match angler like Mark or John but a baiting needle makes putting sand eel and lug on small hooks alot easier. The rounded point for lug and a sharp point for sand eel works best. This can mean the bait is more prone to sliding up the snood so bait stops are a must. Bait must be matched to hook size or bites will be missed but tipping with a sliver or mack or squid once through can help prevent this.

Donagh

Donagh i'm no match angler! my last result on tramore will tell you that :lol: !!! agree that the baitneedles are good, dont like em for lug myself but many usem. sometimes found the sandeel can slip down over the hookpiont myself but as you say tipping with squid or mack helps prevent this- and can get you extra bites!!!

Mark I know you do not wont to blow you own trumpet but ninth in the masters is a very good match angler.

I would agree with kleeneze Mark, 9th at the masters is not to be sniffed at 8) Congratulations anyone in the top 10 deserve it :wink:

I don't use lug much due to the species I'm usualy after and my location but I just thought I'd mention it as some anglers recommend one for lug with small hooks. I only use baiting needles with sand eel when trying to put a section longer than the hook shank. I never had much of an issue with them masking the hook point but this may be due to me suffocating them but bait elastic as crabs are so active where I normaly fish.

Donagh

i would defianetly go smaller than 4 if required....and if allowed in a match situation, but up here we use a minimum size 4 hook in competitions as a conservation measure....and it works.have landed ling to around 9lb on a size 4 B940 on the boat before.....no problems