Hello everyone, since loosing a big barbel on a li

[200ts]

Hello everyone, since loosing a big barbel on a live carp ( I had no idea back then that live bait was not allowed) , i always target them using a big carp head nowdays.  The last outing i put out  a carp head of a 1kg carp, pinned a 5/0 hook through the lips and waited.  I use a light tackle surf set up with a multiplier.  I eventually got a screaming run but i was answering natures call at the time , by the time i was finished, picked up the rod hoping to feel something on the other end but nothing.  so here is my question.  Do you think i should rig it up with two hooks, like u do when targeting sharks?  and second,  with two hooks, how much time do i give it to run with the bait before setting the hook.  I am seriously considering the next time fishing with a tight line as i am a bit scared that the fish will drop the bait again.  Any help or advise will be highly appreciated.

Thanks

Amith

 

 

[Ryan]

Amith I have often found barbel pick up a bait run drop it and thy will come back for it - just give them a few mins - we experinced this big time using Platties on the weekend

 

[200ts]

Thanks Ryan, will give that a try and keep u posted

 

 

[DWB]

Here is the fishead trace i use, snell a big hook and a small hook back to back using 30lb nylon coated steel and superglue then snell another 5/0 hook into the trace.

Use maxima 0.7mm ultragreen abrasion resistant like nothing else!!!!!!!!!

Single hook through lips and the small hook on the back hook into the body so that the big one stand proud.

Haven't missed a hookup once on this rig, unless its small fish playing with your bait

 

 

[Ryan]

You amy only use 2 hooks per rod in freshwater mr Britz

 

[DWB]

Its like using a trebble...........it's combined... Glued and snelled together..........

 

[Hannes101]

Try hitting the carps head a bit softer. And use sircle hooks it works alot better ...

 

[Marthin]

i did a post a while ago regarding this.

The most important is as ryan said. they take and go take and go take and go. 95% of the time with a fish head:

P.S. THIS ONLY WORKS IF YOUR DRAG IS VERY VERY LIGHTLY SET. WHEN FISHING A PENN REEL FOR EXAMPLE I LEAVE IT ON FREE SPOOL AND JUST PUT THE RATCHET ON!!!!!!

1st run, up to about 5 seconds depending on fish size. IF the bait is in the mouth it is just between the front teeth swimming away so his buddies doesnt get the food.

2nd run up to about 10 seconds but only this long if the fish is really big. DONT strike the bait is definatel NOT in the mouth where you want it.

3rd run, you will be in no doubt it's striking time. The run will seem to never end. GIVE 2 firm strikes. If you did it like above the fish will be hooked with the hook coming out in the corner of the mouth near the eye or the thick flesh by the whiskers.

Also in my opinion your hook sized was totally too small. I fish nothing under a 10/0 hook for barbel on fish heads of any size. Look at ryans pics, the size fish you are targetting with the head of a 1kg carp will swallow a 10/0 hook like it's a panel pin. Best hookup rate has been with the hook through the eyes, and if too broad through one eye and protruding from the middel of the forehead.

When using platties and birds i'll scale down to a 7/0,

 

[200ts]

Thanks Deon and Martin, and Ryan,  I agree, my hook size was way too small, the head drowned the hook,  was a bit shy though to use a 10/0 in the dam , but i will take all the advise, try it,   just to double check, Martin, do you use one 10/0 hook? 

 

[Marthin]

yes just one. i havent been in places often where you get size catfiish being in cape town, but if you rig them right, the head moves up the line and you catch 2 - 3 catties with one head.

One hook is essential. Because the big boys will go straight for structure, if you arent fishing snoek line, the extra hook will more often than not snag on reeds/logs/rocks etc.

I caught plenty tiny cats this weekend on worms on a circle hook and every single one was caight corner of the mouth. deisel has an excellent rig for hooking heads with a circle. If using a circle i'd go the same route that you use bait for marlin, with a piece of wire or cable tie through the eyes, twisted tight to the head and then push the hook through this and tighten the cable tie or turn the hook a couple of times if using wire. thes way guaranteed hookup.

 

[Bass Buster]

200ts another way that I can recomend rigging the carp head, is using a catalina rig i think it's what it's called.You simply take a piece of braid or dacron and with a baiting needle push it through the carp heads nostrils through the other side and knot the two pieces together so that you have a loop, and then knot the loop again to the bent of your hook so that the head sits about 3-5cm below the hook.So you hook is always open. It's like a hair rig. I like using size 8/0 to 10/0 circle hooks.I have caught a lot barbel on this rig even using heads from a 3kg carp.Just give it enough time to run with it an DON'T strike with the circle hooks just pick up your rod and tighten up on the fish.Hope this can help.

 

[200ts]

Thanks Bass Buster,  l will give this a go as well, any idea where i can source big circle hooks in gauteng

 

[Bass Buster]

HI 200ts you can try at sollys in fourway's i have used gamagatsu in the past but it's expensive. I now use mustad circles or vmc if you can't find any give me a pm.

 

[200ts]

Ok cool

 

[shazaad]

ive heard stories of baber eating children!
try using one of your kids as bait!! hahahhaha
well the last time i caught barber i took a small fish cut it in half and put 1 on 1 rod and 1 on a seconed and both gave me 9kg +

 

[Gav]

I've actually never had the never let the fish run when fishing carp heads, usually hook a 9~10/0 through the mouth and out the top of the head. Put the rod in the stand with a bit of dough as a policeman, when the policeman suddenly straightens and the rod starts getting pulled i lean back on him,maybe give it a small strike to make sure of a good hook set.

Caught about 10 Barbel between 3 ~12kg on this method in the last month and i havent missed one yet, not saying its the best method but it has worked for me.

 

[Gav]

contemplated using my Penn500 and just setting the ratchet and letting him run but i without too much experience in this i wouldnt know when to strike.

 

[reynard]

i use my penn 500 an have learned that they take 2 to 3 times wile lying they with it loose in its mouth

personnaly when the 1 run occurs give it some line so that there is no tention on it the water will make it wiggle like an ingerd fish and that encourige the strike and 99.9 % of the time the barbel will take it swallow it and run like there is no tommorow

my 2c

 

[Marthin]

Gav & Reynard that's exactly how i do it.

In a dam, freespool just the rachet on the old pen 500's.

on run three i just hold the spool vas with my thumb strike and click the spool over. Have your drag a bit loose as you never know what size the thing at the front could be.

at least 90% of the time the hook is set in the corner of the mouth coming out just under the eye. No chance of it getting off except breaking ur line. If you did everything right from rigging the head to the strike, the fishead moves up the line about a metre when you bring the fish in.

 

[Gav]

I'll give that a try next time i hit the vaal, thanks for the advice guys.

Usually i could see 1 or 2 mock takes and one serious take when i had the spool locked before so what you said makes sense, just never let them run before.

Will be good to put my my old Penn500's to use on the dams!