What Size Hook For Carp Fishing? (10 – 30 lbs)

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. more info

When you go angling for any fish such as a carp, one of the most important things to consider is what size of hook you are going to use. Yes indeed, the size of hook that you use is going to make a difference in terms of your overall result. So what size hook for carp fishing when the carp is between 10 and 30 pounds?

Generally speaking, the best sizes of hooks for carp fishing are hook numbers 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 for carp up to 20 pounds, but for carp up to 30 pounds or heavier, you will want to go for hook sizes 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2.

If you don’t understand fishing hook sizes, no worries, we will cover the basics below.

Does Hook Size Matter With Carp?

So, as we mentioned above, yes the size of hook you used for carp fishing definitely matters. What you need to know first is what the various sizes of fishing hooks are.

So, there are two number systems that are used here, which can get very confusing. First off, we have hooks that range in size all the way from 32 to 1. For this scale, the large the number is, the smaller the hook.

There are then also fish hook sizes that range from 1/0 to 19/0, and this is the opposite of the other scale, or in other words, the larger the number, the larger the hook.

So, if we were to combine these onto one linear scale, the size 32 hook is the smallest of all, and the 19/0 hook is the largest.

So, for carp that are under 20 pounds, use hook sizes ranging from 6 to 10, and for carp between 20 and 40 pounds, use hook sizes ranging from 6 to 2.

In case you are wondering why the hook size is so important, refer to the list below for a quick rundown.

• If you are going for large carp, using a small hook will not work well because the hook may not set properly or may come out of the carp’s mouth too easily.
• Using a hook that is too small may also not entice larger carp to bite, as big carp like big food, but the size of the bait you can use on a small hook is limited. Small hooks are for small bait, and those are for smaller fish.
• You also don’t want to use a hook that is way too large and visible, especially for smaller carp, because if they catch sight of the hook, they will turn tail and run to the hills.
• Remember that fishing hook size should directly correspond to the size of the mouth of the fish. A larger carp has a larger mouth and therefore requires a larger hook.

Can Carp See Hooks?

As opposed to what some people might think, the eyesight of the carp is actually pretty decent.

In other words, if you can see the fishing hook, so can the fish. This is one of the reasons why choosing the right size of fishing hook is so important, because you need something large enough to actually catch the fish, but also small enough so you don’t scare it away before it bites.

Obviously, the larger the hook, the bigger the chances are that it will be spotted by the carp.

What Are The Best Hooks for Carp Fishing?

The number one best type of hook for carp fishing is the circle hook. The main benefit of using a circle hook for carp fishing is that it has a curved shank which allows it to set the hook point into the fish’s mouth very easily as it tried to swim away with the bait.

Because the shank is curved, it makes the tip of the hook point backwards towards the eye of the hook.

This therefore automatically creates that turning action that you need to set the hook.

Generally speaking, if you are using a sinker, the weight of the sinker should be more than enough to cause the hook to set in the mouth of the fish.

Carps usually cannot even spit out this type of hook. Moreover, baiting these hooks and removing them from a carp’s mouth is very easy too.

Types of Hooks You Can Use for Carp Fishing

OK, so we have established that circle hooks are the number one best type of hook to use for carp fishing, but there are others as well.

Let’s take a quick at some of the other types of hooks that you can use for carp fishing.

Curve Shank Hooks

This type of hook has a very pronounced curve on the shank. Once a fish has it in its mouth, it is very hard to get rid of.

Due to the curved shape of the hook, just like with a circle hook, it is one of the most popular choices to go with four carp fishing, simply because carp have a very hard time spitting it out.

Long Shank Hooks

This type of hook features a very long and straight shank, much longer and straighter than most other hooks.

In terms of providing a good hook set and a good hook hold, as well as making it hard for the fish to eject the hook and bait, this is one of the best types of hope that you can use for carp.

If you are using D rigs or blowback rigs, this is the hook of choice. This type of hook does come with the risk of the bait being pushed away too far from the hook up the shank, but you can always secure the bait.

Wide Gape Hook

If you’re looking for the number one best hook that is known for catching the biggest carp around, then the wide gape hook is the way to go.

This type of hook is great for both buoyant baits and bottom baits. The wide gape that they have increases the chance of getting a hookset and that the hook holds in the mouth of the fish as it tries to spit it out. Moreover, this type of hook also has a very high strength to size ratio, thus making it ideal for large fish.

Stiff Rigger hooks

Let’s hook features and out turn die. If you are using the super popular chod rig for carp fishing, then the stiff rigger hook is a way to go, especially if you are using fluorocarbon fishing line.

Should I Choose Barbed or Barbless Hooks?

There is a great debate raging on between those people who say that barbed hooks are better and those that say that barbless hooks are better.

First off we have the barbless hook, which some people prefer because they tend to cause much less damage when you go to remove the hook.

Moreover, if your line happens to snap and the hook is left inside of the fish’s mouth, the carp will not be able to eject the barbed hook.

If your line snaps, a fish may still be able to spit out a barbless hook, but it will definitely not be able to spit out a barbed hook, thus causing long term pain and injury, and maybe even death.

Now, on the other hand, when it comes to barbed hooks, these are much better in terms of getting a hookset because the barb just hooks in much better than the hook alone.

There is also the argument that if the fish fights you really hard, then a barbless hook will actually move around in the mouth and cause a lot of damage, whereas a barbed hook will not move around as much while the fish is fighting.

Are Circle Hooks Good for Carp?

Generally speaking, circle hooks are considered as being the number one best type of hook for carp fishing, especially across all size ranges of carp.

Related;

• Why do carp jump?
• What size landing net you need for carp.

Conclusion

Sure, there are plenty of types of hooks that you can use for carp fishing, but circle hooks are usually considered to be the number one choice.

For an average size carp, something like a #6 or 8 circle hook will work wonders.