Types of hooks for catching pike
Catching pike is a labor-intensive process, but under the right conditions it can show the best results. In this case, not only the current and depth of the water are important, but also the quality of the gear, including the hook. You need to pay attention to the size, design, shape and other parameters of the hook, which will undoubtedly affect the amount of catch. There are several types of pike hooks:
- Offset.
- Double hook or double.
- Tee.
The shape and size of the hook directly depend on the size of the expected catch, the method of baiting the bait and other parameters. For example, a large hook will not allow the pike to capture it completely. A hook that is too small will not be able to grip the fish's mouth sufficiently.
The most optimal hook size for catching pike is considered to be a hook number 3-7.
Sometimes fishermen construct special gear consisting of 2 or 3 hooks. It is important that before hunting the hook is so sharp that it can easily penetrate the body of the fish even with the slightest attack. Let's take a closer look at the features of each type of hook.
Photo: Pike on a hook
Offset (single)
This hook is a specially designed option that is designed to replace a conventional single hook for hunting predatory fish. It has a special shape - it has a special bend on the fore-end (the part of the hook from the head to the beginning of the hook) and is usually used when fishing with a spinning rod.
Offset hook
Offset hooks can be used for such types of installation as:
- Texas rig – suitable for fishing in thickets and snags.
- A retractable leader that performs best when catching calmer fish.
- Carolina rig is most suitable for live bait play.
- The drop shot is most often used for catching passive pike from a high bank, vertically or casting from a boat.
Double (double hook)
This type of hook is often used by fishermen in winter to install girders. The double is very convenient to remove from the depths of the pike’s mouth with minimal damage. It is also easy to attach live bait to catch small fish. The bait must be chosen of the appropriate size, since a small hook and a large nozzle will not give the expected result, although they will not cling to snags. Conversely, a large double and a small bait will cause constant snags in thickets and snags.
Live bait can be attached to such a hook in several ways. The most popular baits are under the gills, behind the back and behind the lip of live bait. Compared to a single hook, a double hook provides a greater chance of getting a bite, which is why it is popular with most fishermen.
Tee
Treble hooks are most often used in mid-water or sandy ponds where they are rarely likely to snag on anything. They can be used both in summer and winter. They can also be used for fishing with spoons, wobblers or balancers. One of the significant disadvantages of tees is their bulkiness, which increases the likelihood of them getting caught on snags. In addition, when fishing for pike, it sticks deep into its mouth, so it is difficult to remove it without special equipment.
About
Offset hooks for pike
Catching pike with one hook involves using not the usual single hook, but one specially designed for hunting predatory fish. Offset products are distinguished by their shape, size and bending of the forend - the part of the hook from the head to the beginning of the hook. The size ranges from number 1 (bending length 41 mm) to 7 (65 mm).
Important! Models of the same size from different manufacturers may differ in dimensions, because... There is no unified classification system.
When selecting a product, take into account the type of bait used (length, weight, dimensions), as well as the expected weight of the trophy. In addition, the material of manufacture and the shape of the forearm bend are taken into account.
It is better to purchase offset hooks for pike or perch along with bait, because each model is often developed for a specific type of bait. For example, a long shank and a round bend are suitable for thin silicone worms. And vibrotails, twisters and other volumetric baits are often mounted on offset baits with a beveled bend. You also need to pay attention to the ring and the diameter of the fishing line.
Offset hooks can be used for catching pike
There are three types of offset hooks in shape:
- Texas Hook;
- Wide Gap;
- Sickle Hook.
The first is the classic form of offset presses. Has a straight forearm. The models are used in conjunction with narrow-bodied, soft silicone baits, for example, worms, twisters or vibrotails. More often this hook is used with the Texas rig of the same name, which is the most popular among spinning fans.
The second model is more advanced. It is a product with a wide bend on the fore-end. Thanks to this design, a gap is formed between it and the bait, which, when hooking, acts as a lever, which greatly facilitates the hooking itself. Fishermen use large and hard baits with this offset. It is worth considering that there are two modifications of this model. For narrow baits, choose one in which the tip faces strictly towards the fore-end. If you plan to use tall silicone attachments, then preference is given to products in which the tip is directed above the ring.
You can also make a “Cobra” for pike fishing
The third form is one of the latest models. A distinctive feature is a characteristic crescent-shaped curve. Originally used in jig heads. The advantage of the product is that with this shape the rubber does not slip off the hook; it copes well with heavy equipment during long casts. At the same time, it independently clings to the fish’s lip when bitten.
You can make Cobra tackle with your own hands. To do this you will need steel wire with a diameter of 2 mm. Bend the piece into a triangle. Approximate parameters 70x85x20 mm.
Non-snacking hooks for pike and their features
Underwater vegetation and snags often become an obstacle to a good catch, although it is in the dense thickets that the most fish are found. Pike is one of those fish that love algae and are found in places where vegetation, snags and stones accumulate. In such cases, when it is impossible to reach fish with ordinary baits, fishermen come to the aid of special non-snagging hooks, which show excellent results in snags. Most often, non-hooking rods are used when fishing for pike with a spinning rod.
Non-hooking boats may differ in their shape and design, but they all help to develop hard-to-reach and promising areas of reservoirs. The main types of non-hooking baits are jig baits, spinnerbaits, non-hooking spoons, gliders and others:
- Non-hooking lures have protection in the form of wire with special springs, fishing lines, some can even be hidden inside the baits. The principle of operation of such hooks is to bend the wires on a spring at the moment the pike grabs, as a result of which the fish can be detected. Minnow brand spinners are considered the most popular among unhooked ones.
- For lovers of jig fishing, offset hooks with silicone coating are offered, that is, the hook is hidden inside the silicone, which passes through the thickets without hindrance. There are also foam rubber baits with a double, the grip of which compresses the foam rubber, and the pike becomes prey.
- Gliders are most often used as bait for surface fishing. They have a voluminous shape and light weight, which is achieved due to the plastic used in manufacturing. Inside it there is a hook and a weight, and the non-hook itself easily slides along the surface, creating vibrations on the water. In its appearance and shape, the bait imitates small rodents or frogs.
- Spinnerbaits are considered one of the popular lures for spinning, although they are not so versatile for hunting in dense thickets and are successful mainly in snags.
Finnish hook for pike
This type of hook has been known to anglers for a long time and is one of the most effective methods of successful fishing. It is made of steel spring wire 1 mm thick. It is easy to make, so many fishermen make it themselves.
A peculiarity of its design is that its fore-end is usually short and does not reach the gills of the fish, and there are 2 sharp barbels on it. Thanks to this structure, it easily falls into the throat and then into the stomach of the predator, after which the hook antennae stick into the tissue and become spaced, and sometimes the hook even comes out along with the entrails.
The predator almost never leaves such a bait, unless at the first stage of an attack or grip. Anglers are often advised to take spare leashes with Finnish hooks when hunting. This is necessary in cases where a predator takes the hook in its throat, and it remains in its stomach for an indefinite time. In this case, to continue hunting, it is more convenient to unfasten the leash and put on a new one.
Live bait is attached to such a hook in a special way. To do this, a method is used to pass a metal hook leader under the gills of the bait. Then it is taken out from under the gill cover and attached to the clasp on the fishing line of the girdle. With this method, the bait swims in a natural position and attracts the attention of a predator.
Treble hooks for pike
Tees are mostly used when hunting for large and active trophies on sandy bottoms or in the middle layers of water, where the likelihood of getting caught on snags or algae is minimized. Float fishing rods are often equipped with such products. Treble hooks can be serrated or semi-serrated. Serrated hooks have a barb on all three sides. Semi-toothed ones have a beard only on one side, while the other two are smooth. To choose which treble hook is needed for pike, it is worth analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of both types.
The advantage of semi-toothed models is that they are fairly easy to pull out. This option is well suited for anglers who do not want to seriously injure the fish, as well as for beginning trophy hunters. At the same time, many are worried that a predator can easily get off such a hook. Actually this is not true. If there is sufficient tension during the fishing process, it is quite problematic for it to break. It is important to take into account that in mild weather conditions the pike quickly swallows the bait, and therefore timely indication of the bite and quick hooking play a major role. Experienced fishermen prefer semi-barbed hooks.
There are some fishing considerations to keep in mind when using treble hooks.
If fishing takes place in the cold season, a serrated hook will provide the best result, because Due to the low water temperature, the slow pike, taking the bait into its mouth, is in no hurry to swallow it. For the most part, in winter, pike get into the landing net with only a hook in one place. But in the cold she doesn't resist too much. At this time, semi-barbed hooks are inferior in terms of hooking. For these reasons, it is better to buy both options.
The disadvantage of fishing trebles is their cost compared to offsets or double hooks. Also, when using them, the number of possible snags on snags or grass increases. In jig fishing, models with long shanks are more often used. But mostly tees are used in conjunction with spinners and wobblers.
As braids became more popular, it became apparent that tees were putting a lot of strain on them. Especially in cases of difficult weather conditions or when the angler tries to resist the desire of the predator to go into the seaweed or under snags. For such moments, special carbon tees have been developed - treble hooks with good rounding. This manufacturing material ensures high strength of the product. At the same time, tees are practically the most significant part of the equipment compared to offsets and doubles. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the overall balance of homemade equipment.
A treble hook is used when fishing with small fish.
What kind of hook is needed to catch pike?
There are many opinions about which type of hook is most suitable for catching pike. Some use single hooks, some use treble hooks, but many agree that you need to choose a hook depending on the type of baitfish and the method of baiting it. In addition, hooks for pike fishing are selected depending on the type, length and height of the bait. When buying artificial fish, it is best to place them on the hook in order to understand how well it will sit on it.
Experienced fishermen also advise paying attention to such parameters as the quality of the wire, the width of the hook, the hook antennae bent inwards and the method of attaching the hook to the leader.
Pike hooks
Pike is an inhabitant of almost all fresh water bodies of the Russian Federation. Its superiority and strength in the water makes fishermen eagerly catch the toothy predator, and the inhabitants of the underwater world avoid meeting it so as not to end up in its terrible mouth.
However, preparing for pike fishing takes the angler a lot of time. First of all, the main attention should be paid to the strength of the gear, namely the strength of the fishing line, leashes, rods and, of course, hooks.
Three types of hooks are used to catch pike:
- Tee
- Double or twin
- Offset
The third type of hook is suitable for catching predators in the summer, since the shape of the bend and shank works best in conditions of snags and grass, where pike prefer to ambush. It is also easier to equip an offset hook with bait in the form of a silicone bait and hide the sharp sting inside the bait to avoid snagging on underwater obstacles.
An offset hook can be used in various rigs that are used for pike fishing. For example, the famous Texas rig has proven itself well when fishing for pike in thickets of grass and snags, and the drop shop rig is suitable for catching pike from a boat and inactive pike in hot weather.
Read: Pike fishing in swamps
The second type of double hook is widely used by all anglers in winter when installing girders. This hook is the easiest to remove from the predator’s mouth, where she swallows it deeply, and it is also easy to attach live bait to it without damaging it. A double hook is used in the installation of a retractable leash, where it clings to the leash itself using a carabiner. In this case, the leader is threaded through the gill cavity of the baitfish, and the hook is put on the end of the leader and pulled towards the mouth cavity of the baitfish. The live bait remains active, and the hook will not be able to catch on grass or snags.
And the third type of hooks for catching pike are tees. These hooks are used on sandy reservoirs and in the middle layers of water, where there are no obstacles during wiring. Tees have proven themselves well both in summer on spinners and wobblers, and in winter when equipping balancers. However, when a pike bites, they bite deeply into the predator’s mouth and are very difficult to remove without the help of special forceps.
When choosing hooks, the fisherman also needs to know about the size of the pike that live in the reservoir where fishing will take place and, based on this, select the appropriate hook number. Most often, the most optimal hooks for pike are 3 – 7 numbers.
Read: Pike fishing in November
Knowing these small instructions for choosing a fishing hook for pike, the angler will be satisfied with unobstructed and hand-sensitive wiring and a worthy trophy of a toothy predator that may have pecked during this wiring.
What size hook to choose for pike
As noted above, you first need to decide on the bait, and then select a hook in size for it. If you don’t get the ratio right, you can get fewer hooks on the bottom, but the number of slips and empty bites will also increase. It is important to remember that according to the international classification, as the number increases, the size of the hook becomes smaller. So, the smallest hook is considered to be No. 24.
Offset
For pike fishing, an offset hook of size No. 5/0 is most often used, but the bait must also match it. It is better to choose a hook whose length will be approximately 1/2 the length of the body of the bait.
Double
A double hook of size No. 7 according to domestic numbering will be most suitable for catching pike. According to the international classification, double No. 6-8 is often used.
Tee
When catching pike with live bait, tee No. 3-7 according to international numbering is mainly used. When spinning fishing, treble hooks are also often used.
Double hook for pike
Such models are popular in winter when installing vents. They easily hook fish and are also simply removed from the mouth with minimal damage. It is the best option for fishing with live bait, because... putting a small fish there is not difficult. It is important to understand that the bait is selected immediately. A large nozzle and a small double will increase the number of “empty” bites, while reducing the likelihood of getting caught on snags, the bottom or algae. In the opposite case, when the bait is much smaller than the hook, the hooks increase exponentially.
Doubles are mainly used in jig fishing, which has become very popular in recent years. The classic twin model is the Limerick 90, made of high carbon steel with a non-soldered forend.
Double hooks are more often used in winter
Double hooks are more suitable for catching sluggish fish, because... It’s easier for her to swallow such a product, and she can easily feel the treble hook. At the same time, compared to offset, the probability of hooking a fish is much higher.
Which hooks are better
To catch pike, different types of hooks and different techniques for installing them are used. They are selected depending on the time of year, the depth of the reservoir, the gear used and the fishing method. The most important requirement for a hook is its sharpness, since the pike’s mouth is hard and quite toothy, and it can be difficult to hook it securely.
For spinning fishing
The most popular baits for spinning fishing: wobblers, spoons and silicone baits. For each bait, appropriate hooks are selected.
- For oscillating and rotating spinners, single, double and triple hooks are used. Sometimes a hook with 4 or even more hooks is used.
- Wobblers are rarely equipped with double hooks; triple or single hooks are often used.
- Silicone baits are equipped with an offset, double or triple hook.
For fishing with silicone, it is better to purchase special offset hooks. They can be of various shapes. When choosing, you also need to focus on the size, shape of the bait and the expected weight of the trophy. If the bait is narrow-bodied and elongated, hooks with a straight shank are suitable. However, the most popular models are those with a wide curve on the fore-end - it is this shape that allows you to reliably hook the fish, thereby reducing the number of empty bites.
For zherlitsy
For girder fishing, all types of hooks are used, both single and double and tees:
- Single ones are used when the size of live bait is no more than 5 cm, but this method increases the number of times the predator leaves the hook.
- Double hooks are used for “lazy” rigging, when its forends are threaded through the gills of the baitfish, and the predator swallows it without noticing the hook. Therefore, the number of empty bites or abandoned live baits is much less.
Tees are often used for vents. They guarantee the maximum percentage of successful hooking and bringing the prey onto the ice.
Pike hooks for live bait
When fishing with live bait, experienced spinners recommend choosing forged doubles or tees. It’s easier to place bait on them, and it stays active longer. The ratio of live bait, hook and intended fish should be optimal. The sting on which the live bait is attached must be sharp, and the wire of the hooks must be hardened. A high-quality product can bend under high loads, but not break.
When deciding which hook is best for pike, it is worth considering many different factors. Here is the time of year, weather, bait, fish weight, type of reservoir, current and much more. It is better to acquire all types of hooks and use them as needed, adapting to specific conditions.
The video will talk about offset hooks:
How to remove a pike from a hook
In addition to good equipment and a suitable hook, you need to have a special tool in your arsenal to remove the hook from the fish’s mouth. Zevnik - extractor for pike (fishing clamp or tongs). Of course, the small teeth of a pike will not allow you to bite off a fisherman’s hand or drag a dog near the water, but some precautions still need to be taken.
Using a yawner to remove the hook
Yawner and extractor
Photo: Fishing clamp
