Bloemhof Tackle

[Basstard]

Hi Chaps

I'll be on my way to Bloemhof soon. We all know there is a couple of monsters in there and monster barbel usually means monster bait. Was there in May last time and caught a couple +10Kg. Had a slight problem though:

Was fishing with carp(1-2Kg) head but missed a couple  because we couldn't get the hooks set.

What terminal tackle should I be using and is there a particular rig that will better our chances? Even thinking about using two massive trebles.

Thanks

Basstard

 

 

[Marthin]

do a search about it... we did quite a bit of it before...

circle hooks help.

trebles in freshwater if not being used on a lure is illegal.

If you don't find the threads message me again.

 

[Pipeman]

Basstard wrote:

Hi Chaps

I'll be on my way to Bloemhof soon. We all know there is a couple of monsters in there and monster barbel usually means monster bait. Was there in May last time and caught a couple +10Kg. Had a slight problem though:

Was fishing with carp(1-2Kg) head but missed a couple  because we couldn't get the hooks set.

What terminal tackle should I be using and is there a particular rig that will better our chances? Even thinking about using two massive trebles.

Thanks

Basstard

 

 

Use two circle hooks one static hook and one sliding. Soften up the carp head before you rig it and make sure both hooks are standing proud. The rig should be atleast 50cm from the swivel to the hook, above that you put a sliding sinker! Let the barbel run with the bait and then just tighten up the drag and the circle hooks will set. Make sure the rod is pointing at the fish!

 

[Basstard]

Do you find that your ability to set the hook has increased with circle hooks? Or is it just merely a means of cutting down the chances of getting snagged.

 

[Marthin]

Bastard here is my method...

Make sure your hook is proud... at least half the gape needs to stick out of the bait, regardless of what hook type or size you use.

99% of the barbel i've caught make 3 distinct runs when they take the bait...

1. A gentle rrrrrrrrrrttttt. about 1 - 2 seconds max. This is the initial pick up and turn. The bait is now just in the front of the mouth between the jaws. This is just to grab the food away from any competitor.

2. A less gentle rrrrrrt rrrrrt rrrrt that can last up to 10 but usually about 5 seconds max. The fish has now decided it likes the food and is swimming off with it...BUT it's still in between the teeth in the front of the jaw. He's just swimming away so his buddies don't steal his food.

3. After a pause that could last up to 2 minutes, the fish swims off and ur reel screams rythmically. It's busy crushing the bait in the back of it's mouth and heading away to the horizon. If you strike now i'd say 90% chance that you will hook it in the corner of the mouth.

I always wait for the 3rd run. Sometimes it's hard to stay calm enough, and 1 in about 20 fish will be hooked in the throat, but this is the best way to ensure a hookup.

Don't play around... if you use big fish heads, use wide gape 8 - 9/0 sea hooks, bandit octopus works best for me.

 

[Marthin]

Here is a picture of how i rig them, use some imagination i'm no artist...

1.  The gap between the eyes of the fish is not too big for your hook, you simply hook the fish head through the eyes and squash the head a little...

2.  The gap is to wide (if you have any doubt about if enough of the hook is sticking out use this one.... Stick the hook in one eye and make it come out in the centre of the head.

3.  Put the hook point into the fish head mouth as deep as you can, and then stick it through the top of the head so the hook sticks out like a unicorn out the top, with the hook shank and eye coming out of the mouth of the fish head.

 

[Basstard]

Probably suffered with a case of being a bit overally excited but got the strong feeling that our hooks were twisting in the bait. Will make sure we stock up on cotton.

Another question. i've heard that platties excrete a scent which deter predators once you handle them. I've never had any problem with this just interested to know whether its fact of not.

 

[Basstard]

I generally use two hooks one fixed and one sliding. Feed the fixed hook through the carp mouth and out through the gill plates. The slidng hook I also feed through the mouth and then through the other gill plate but as I mentioned haven't had too much success.

 

[Marthin]

I don't like 2 hooks. If there is a piece of structure and it's a big fish it will find it and get u stuck.

The platties thing... i've caught my fish on them after they were handled plenty. Perhaps a frog, but even they work as bait but some might be illegal to use.

What you can try is get little steel clips like the guys use when they slide mackie heads out to keep your hooks from turning.

 

[Basstard]

Will have a look. Thanks you've been a big help.

 

[PEETO]

what date are you going and where in the area of bloemhof?

 

[Pipeman]

Basstard wrote:

Do you find that your ability to set the hook has increased with circle hooks? Or is it just merely a means of cutting down the chances of getting snagged.

Well I have found with circle hooks, if the hook is standing proud I never miss a fish! And you don't have to concentrate much in setting the hook it kind off sets itself! And must say normally it the sinker that gets snagged not the hooks!

 

[Basstard]

To Report back:

 

Fishing not so great. Managed to land one Barbel weiged in at 9.2Kg. Plenty of "Onder bekke" and 1 carp. Some advice - don;t go on long weekends we were packed in like sardines.