WHAT IS A HOOKLENGTH MATERIAL?
The hooklength is the smaller section of line which is attached to the hook and can be tied in many ways. For a more in depth guide on how to attach the hook with a strong knot please check out our Top five strongest fishing Knots Guide. The hooklength will then be attached to the mainline usually with a swivel or a loop to loop connection.Â
The length of the hooklink will depend on what type of rig you're using, which can vary anywhere from one inch which could be a short chod rig up to a 12ft hook length being a zig rig. For different situations and rigs, hooklengths can be created using a different material such as fluorocarbon, braids, coated braid or monofilament.
WHAT HOOKLINK MATERIAL SHOULD I USE?
Choosing the right hooklink material can depend on a variety of factors, the main ones being:
- The size and type of fish: Similar to Mainline, If you're fishing for smaller carps then using a lower breaking strain will be just fine. However if you are fishing for larger carp or cats then using a stronger material will prevent snaps.
- Lake bed surface: Depending on whether the spot you're fishing is full of snags, weed or silt is another factor to consider. If you are fishing over snags like rocks then using a heavy braid could help prevent breaks.Â
However in some instances if you're using feeders, lead weights or a float over a snaggy location then opting for a lower breaking strain than your mainline will prevent the loss of your whole rig, and only your hooklink if you can’t free your hook from the snag. This will also prevent leaving feet of line in the water potentially harming fish or other wildlife.Â
- Lead weight type: Using braid can be a popular option when using inline leads if the lake bed isn't very flat. However when fishing with a swivel lead using mono or coated braid for multi rigs will be more beneficial.Â
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOFT AND STIFF HOOKLINK MATERIALS?
The stiffness of a hooklink material will be down to what type of rig you're planning to use. The stiffer materials like some mono or fluorocarbon are great for rigs such as the chod, hinged stiff link and any other rig where you don't want the hooklink material to be supple. If you're struggling to create your own carp rig then check out our Top Five Best ready tied Carp Rigs.
Supple materials including uncoated braid will make the hook bait move more freely and look like a free bait. The main reason you might not want to use supple materials as a hooklength could be its tendency to tangle.
A good inbetween is semi Stiff materials which include coated braids and supple mono. In modern carp fishing coated braids are becoming more popular. The main reason being that you can strip a section of the coating off (commonly close to the hook) creating a supple part to the rig.
PROS AND CONS OF HOOKLENGTH MATERIALS:
MONOFILAMENT
Monofilament is definitely one of the most common hooklink materials and also a popular choice for mainlines. It's easy to use and generally has a lower cost compared to other materials. Furthermore, Due to the small diameter and clearness it makes it really hard for the carp to spot. The material also has a rigidness to it making it great for anti tangle rigs. Generally most mono will work as a hooklink and if you are already happy with your current mainline i would suggest using that. If you're looking for a slightly stiffer mono that doesn't retain its memory then a great option is the Sunset Amnesia range which comes in a variety of breaking strains and perfect for a hinged stiff rig.
PROS:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Good knot strength                         Â
- Low visibility                             Â
- Low cost                                  Â
CONS:
- Not great in high snaggy areas Â
- Mid to high degree of stretch
- Most mono retains memory
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FLUOROCARBON
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Fluorocarbon has extremely low visibility making it a great choice in clear water. It also has a high durability and has a slight stiffness making it less likely to tangle and creating stronger hook sets. If you're looking for a softer Fluorocarbon then a great option is the Korda IQ2 Extra Soft range.
PROS:
- Extremely low visibility
- Low stretch
- Good knot strength
CONS:
- Stiffer than mono
- More expensive than other materials
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BRAID (MICROFILAMENT)
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Braid is the strongest hooklength material out there. It has little to no stretch creating a strong hook hold, while at the same time being very flexible depending on the diameter. Braid can also come coated which comes in a variety of stiffnesses and colours. It is also highly abrasion resistant and fast sinking. Supple braid is soft and small in diameter making it a popular choice when fishing with solid pva bags. A great braided hooklength material is the Nash Armourlink range which are extremely flexible and great at making the bait look natural.
PROS:
- Very flexible
- Very strong
- Lasts for a long time
CONS:
- More likely to tangle
- More expensive than mono