I want to order some hooks online as what I want i

[Barbelman]

I want to order some hooks online as what I want is not available in my town.
I decided to start using Covert Mugga hooks. Please tell me if I should rather get something else that might be better, but these seem plenty good enough.

My question is which size of them I should get.
I know you must adapt your hooksize to you bait.
Lets make examples if I may. What sized hook is best for the following scenarios? Or can one size be used in all cases?

1. Hair-rig, 3-5 mielies.
2. Hair-rig, 1 standard sized Supercast boilie.
3. Hair-rig, 2 standard sized Supercast boilies.
4. Hair-rig, 2 Supercast Tigernuts.
Your advice will help a lot.

Edit:
Sorry guys, just to make sure.
Are #6 Covert Mugga hooks basically the same size as say #6 of Docks classic boilie hooks? I am confused about the standards.

 

[EugeneC]

Hi Barbelman, you'll no doubt get many different opinions on this topic. My take is firstly if you're after trophy fish (let's say 30lb +), #6 hooks are rather small. You could probably fish your 3 - 5 small maize pips on a #6, but that's not effectively targeting bigger fish.

I prefer fishing boilies personally and my go-to size is 14mm. I'm not sure what you mean by a standard size boilie, but if I'm fishing a single 14mm boilie I'll usually use a size 2 hook. I like Fox Arma Point SSC, never used Mugga's, but only heard good things about them.

If I scale up to a double 14mm or 16 - 18mm boilie, I might go up to size 1. Keep in mind that I like to target big carp (that's not to say I'm always successful at it, but it's what I like to do), so I'm ok with getting only 1 bite, I'm not aiming to catch a lot of fish. The reason I mention this is because in my view, if you hook a 30lb+ fish and there's any kind of structure around, you have to be able to apply pressure if you want to land that fish and a #6 hook doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence in that department.

In short, my preference is to lean toward using larger hooks rather than smaller. So for me, when in doubt, go bigger.

 

[Barbelman]

Thanks Eugene. I always thought a #2 hook is too big, but I have started to fish with #4's. I will give #2 a go as well.

 

[EugeneC]

Anytime mate. Some guys will probably say a #2 is overkill, but personally I'd rather be sure I land my fish and release it safely to fight another day than have the hook bend open on the fish of a lifetime. I think a lot of anglers underestimate the true size of a carp's mouth, even a little 3kg fish can easily pick up a 10mm boilie.

The downside of fishing larger hooks is the added weight. If you want to get real technical you can balance your set-up or tie up some fancy rigs to counteract the hook weight, but in my experience you'll fish a very long time before you come across a scenario where that's really necessary.

 

[Beeslek]

Hi.

I fish with the Mugga's,here's what works for me.I use size 6 for single boilies from 12-16mm.Single 20mm boilie I use a size 4.Double 20mm boilie I use size 2.All of these are heavy bottom baits.If I want to use balanced baits I normally use longshank hooks,blowback style rig.For particles I would also use longshanks,double XXL tiger with a size 4 longshank or a size 6 Mugga.I use ESP longshanks.3-5 maize stack I would use a size 6 longshank.

These are only guidelines,one very important aspect to remember is the gap between the hookbend and the bait.Mine is usually between 5-10mm.A good 'rule of thumb' is to check how the bait presents in shallow water.If the bait settles and the hook lies flat,it's usually perfect.The gap between the hook and the bait allows the hook to flip and turn,giving good solid hookholds in the bottom lip.

 

[Barbelman]

Well, I bought some Mugga's in size 4 and 6. So Monday night after its delivered I will start to build some rigs.
I think I will first try out the #4 hooks and see how it goes.