16 replies to this topic

[NiagaraSteel]

Alright so this weekend I lost 4 fish on beads. What kind of hook sets do you guys use with success? If the float is almost directly downstream of me, should I do a sweeping hookset to the side, towards the shore? I would imagine that would lodge the hook into the side of the fishes mouth. Or should I just try to whip the rod straight upwards the second the float goes down. Does anyone find that putting the line through the bead twice and then pegging it helps? The reason I ask about the hookset is if I set directly upstream, wouldn't that just pull the hook and bead right out of the mouth?

[staffman]

I usually set straight up, unless there are trees overhead. Most bead fishermen use larger hooks , size 4, but I'm sticking to size 8 for now. People claim that the larger hooks work better than my small hooks.

[IR4J]

I'd say the best advice I can give is to slow down, yes a bigger hook will help but all you need is clearance between the bead and the hook point.
When you go to set the hook there is a pivot point between the bead and the hook, this can cause it to twist and jerk. When you slow down, sort of just leaning and tightening up on your hook you will find that you get a more secure purchase in the fishes mouth.

[Rainbow]

If you're hooking into them but they're still getting off it might be a good idea to try different hooks.

[NiagaraSteel]

Gonna pick up some #8, maybe even #6 gammy octopus hooks tomorrow. Probably gonna try the bare hook instead of red for a change, heard it's made of stronger wire.

[DitchWizard]

Seems almost every hook company uses a different size measurement some #6 are #10's from another company.

Personally I choose my hook size depending on bead size and what I feel confident with water visibility wise. I won't be running any #4 hooks while fishing 6mm beads in the spring. I also prefer a thick wire wide gap hook for beads 

Hook set depends on rod length, action, float weight, water depth and current. Generally a fast one with beads as I find they tent to spit them fast 

[NiagaraSteel]

Seems almost every hook company uses a different size measurement some #6 are #10's from another company.
Personally I choose my hook size depending on bead size and what I feel confident with water visibility wise. I won't be running any #4 hooks while fishing 6mm beads in the spring. I also prefer a thick wire wide gap hook for beads 
Hook set depends on rod length, action, float weight, water depth and current. Generally a fast one with beads as I find they tent to spit them fast

I have a 12.9 raven matrix, I use an 11g float, current is moderate and it's about 6ft close in and 15 ft further out if that helps at all

[Shmogley]

with anything under a float i find a straight up hook set is best. enough to lift the float out of the water but not enough to send your junk flying at you. if that makes sense

sometimes the hit on a bead is so subtle the float just barely ticks up and down. you gotta be lightning quick to get these fish on.

 

if you are putting a swing into the end of your drift and get a strike during the swing, do a downstream side hookset, as fish following a swung bait often turn back towards their spot after the take. usually a straight up set in this instance will come right out the mouth.

 

for hooks i like the smaller size 8's too for two reasons. 1 it doesnt injure the smaller fish i often hook with beads and 2 the small hooks do not set well in tough salmon mouths as opposed to softer trouts/ so you get less boots ruining the moment.

 

also dont loop the bead if youre going to peg it. just the peg is fine and i found anytime i tried looping or knotting or whatever  id get loads more breakoffs then just straight line with a peg.

 

good luck bud

[LordMykiss]

depends on many factors. your rod is the most important. where the hook is sitting relevant to the bead(shorter the better for upsteam hook sets) also soft mono vs hard mono vs power line. generally with beads and trout fishing from the front is riskier since i dont think they do the turn like salmon do with lures. they sit there and nom nom nom on floating eggs.

best hooks hands down. I WILL NEVER USE ANY OTHER HOOK in my box and i have well over 20 difference brands sizes. IS the raven specimen wide gape size 12. it actually takes longer to unhook the fish than to actually fight it. specially in november. to this day since i start using them october last year. i have not lost a single fish from the hook popping out.

[IR4J]

You should be using a straight eye hook if you are fishing beads, or snell an up turned eye hook.

[NiagaraSteel]

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I have learned a few issues to fix like not snelling the raven wide gaps. Thanks again, will try my luck again nest weekend

[DILLIGAF?!]

try a subtle approach when setting your hook. beads are more aerodynamic than roe and if you pull hard you can get tangled up on trees or branches behind you or worse, a fellow angler. Bead, roe or fly, i let the fish take it in a bit. I know the chances of the fish spitting the hook is great this way but I like them pulling my bobber a little longer before I set the hook. It feels great when you can spot them chomping it before they take you for a ride.

[DitchWizard]

Guess it sorta depends on personal preference and the water you fish. I almost always set the $hit out of the hook but I don't fish any ditches. 

[LordMykiss]

Guess it sorta depends on personal preference and the water you fish. I almost always set the $hit out of the hook but I don't fish any ditches. 

which rod do you own? i dont dare doing that with my rv9 or im8 in any body of water. first time i bought my rv9 i caught a creek chub on it 40 feet out. lets say the creek chub almost sniped me in the head. since then i just flick my wrist.

[DaveC]

You should be using a straight eye hook if you are fishing beads, or snell an up turned eye hook.

Exactly....snell your hooks makes a world of a differance. Most of my fish on beads i rarely have to set the hook...quick wrist snap and its home. That depends on your rod action as well though...a slow action rod is going to require more umph.

[NADO]

which rod do you own? i dont dare doing that with my rv9 or im8 in any body of water. first time i bought my rv9 i caught a creek chub on it 40 feet out. lets say the creek chub almost sniped me in the head. since then i just flick my wrist.

 

on the water he is talking about having your float 40' away from you is pretty uncommon. Many drifts are 100' away from you at the start of the drift and the 10g floats dont stand a chance at flying out of the water. I use my rainshadow XST there with 8-16g floats and set the hook as hard as I can. Take that same rod to pretty much any other river in ontario and my hook set changes into the wrist snap mentioned above and my floats are flying over my head all day long.

[LordMykiss]

on the water he is talking about having your float 40' away from you is pretty uncommon. Many drifts are 100' away from you at the start of the drift and the 10g floats dont stand a chance at flying out of the water. I use my rainshadow XST there with 8-16g floats and set the hook as hard as I can. Take that same rod to pretty much any other river in ontario and my hook set changes into the wrist snap mentioned above and my floats are flying over my head all day long.

that would make sense.