


A carp hook is chosen to suit the rig, the bait and the swim. In this group you will find wide gape hooks, curve shank hooks, and chod, stiff and zig hooks. The shape of the hook affects how it turns and takes hold in the fish's mouth.





A wide gape hook has a wide gape and a straight shank. It is a versatile choice for bottom bait rigs, pop-up rigs and PVA bags, and for many carp anglers it is the standard pattern they fish most of the time, whatever the venue.
The curved shank of a curve shank hook makes it turn quickly in the fish's mouth and take a deep hold. It suits bottom baits and wafter rigs in particular, and it is a popular choice where the fish have become wary of rigs.
A chod hook has an out-turned eye so that it works on a stiff hooklink in chod and hinged stiff rigs. Zig hooks are light because they fish in mid-water with a small piece of foam or a floating hookbait, where a heavy hook would pull the bait down.
Choose the hook size to suit your bait, and check the point after every fish and every cast. A blunt hook should be sharpened or changed straight away.