Understanding hook-link materials
Since the invention of the hair rig we have no end of tackle companies releasing different types and styles of hook link materials. One of the first to move across from mono was Kryston with their famous silk braided hook link. This started a revolution amongst the tackle companies to produce the best and most subtle hook links they could come up with due to the stiff nature of mono and the fact that it can retain its memory, in other words, if it becomes kinked then it stays kinked or if you steam it at a certain angle it always tries to return to the shape that it was steamed at. With the introduction of braided hook link materials were saw a huge change in the presentation of rigs and it gave us a great variety of options in order to fool those wary fish. The natural feeding habit of fish is to take items into the mouth and then sort them blowing out the debris and filtering out the food through the mouth and gills. Only smaller items are filtered through the gills as larger items will damage the gill raters the fish tend to "blow back" the debris from the mouth. Using very subtle materials helps to disguise the rig we are using and stops the fish from sensing the hook until it is too late and the hook has turned and taken hold in the fishes mouth.
Whilst i agree that carp, like most other fish, don't have a natural ability to recognise hooks and hook links within its food source they do retain the natural ability to remember what happened to it last time it was caught and so these old and wise carp will learn how to get rid of this item. It has also been proved that carp can use the lead attached to you rig to its own advantage and will shake its head to swing the lead to help remove the hook from its mouth. I suppose if we was caught in this way, year after year, we would also have the natural instinct within us. It always amazes me that some people think that carp are highly intelligent and know what a hook is and that they can recognise different rigs. The truth of the matter is that we give too much precedence to this fact and that carp do not have large memories and the ability to look at a hook and say "that's a hook". The natural instinct of the fish is all about survival. Whether it be a food source or getting trapped in a weed bed the carp will soon learn that picking up these items will result in problems and we see so many times where smaller fish move onto a baited area first before the big ones move in. I am sure this is so if there are any traps set the smaller fish are the ones that get caught first as they throw caution to the wind and feed aggressively where as the older more wiser fish will tend to feed on the edge of a baited area or wait until the main body of the fish move away from the food source.
What really happens inside the carps brain or any fish for that matter will always remain a mystery to us but one thing is for sure. If you use a hook link that has never been seen on a water it is usually that rig that catches most of the fish. With this in mind companies have developed a huge range of materials for anglers to use to create rigs that will "out smart" the wiser fish and result in captures on the bank. Another contributing factor to the type of hook link we use is the fact that we are trying to make the bait move as naturally as is possible. When we place our bait out in the swim and chuck freebies around it we want our bait to act just like those freebies. Not only do we want the bait to act naturally but it is also important for the hook to be able to move and twist so that it can be in the perfect position to catch in the fishes mouth. Using subtle materials allows this freedom of movement and the most successful rigs are the ones that have a lot of movement at the bait end. The biggest problem is what material do we use and when do we use it.
With so many different hook links available to the public it is very difficult to say this is the one you should use or try that one it works better. I do agree some work better than others but at the end of the day its all down to your presentation and the set-up of the rig you are going to use. To try and simplify things i tend to follow these basic rules when setting up my rigs, but always refer back to my presentation and the importance of knowing your water craft. If you don't know what is laying on the bottom of the lake or river or what type of bed your rig will be laying over then you are cutting your chances of success by 70% at least. I have always said it doesn't matter what rod or reel you are using, the most expensive or the cheapest, it is all down to the last meter of your set-up and what rig is attached at the end of your line and how the rig performs.
Stiff Mono:
This is generally used on clear lake/river beds and Chod rigs (short hook links) so they rest gently over weed. Stiff mono can also be used on a heli rig set-up. This allows the hook link to move up and down the line to ensure it rests neatly on the bottom. As soon as the fish sucks in the bait the hook has already turned and is in the position it needs to be to take a hold in the fishes mouth. Stiff rigs are also great for distance fishing as the stiffness helps against tangles. This is one of the fastest hooking rigs available.
Subtle Mono:
This is a great all rounder and can be used for all types of rigs.Almost ALL match hook links available in shops are made from this material. Clear, Green or brown mono helps to camouflage your rig. If you have a lot of debris on the lake bed and still prefer a mono hook link then this is the one to choose.
Floating Mono:
Yes there is even uses for hook link mono that actually floats on water. Surface fishing and Zig fishing is now more popular than ever before. By using mono that actually floats we are able to present baits up in the layers of the water/swim we are fishing. By targeting the depth at which they feel most comfortable (warmer in winter, cooler in summer also known as the thermaclines) the bait presented at this depth can increase your chances of a fish on the bank.
Subtle Braid:
High abrasion resistance and extremely subtle and thin hook links are the main type of material used in all carp rigs. This allows great movement of the hook and bait and can be used on any type of lake/river bed. Braids come in all types of colours so you can choose one that blends into its surrounding so it doesn't spook fish.
Coated Braid:
There are lots of different types of coated braid that will give you the chance of many different presentations. Just like stiff mono you can get very stiff coated braid for use on clear river/lake beds or in heli rig presentations. You can also get Semi Stiff or very subtle braid and just like normal braid will give you more movement in your rig. Sometimes you may feel you need a stiffer braid to keep the hook kicked out away from the lead and to ensure that you don't get tangles on the cast but at the end of the rig you require a subtle material for the hook and bait to move naturally. This is when this type of hook link comes into its own as you can strip back the coating to reveal a very subtle braid material for attaching the hook and bait. Combi rigs are probably the most popular of all rigs.
When deciding on what materials to use to create your rigs it is vital that you follow the basic rules of water craft and always test your rig in the margin of the water you are fishing. This will show you if your rig is working correctly and if it blends in with the river/lake bed. I also feel that you should also try and experiment. Just because a rig worked on one day doesn't mean it will work on the next day. Also if a rig has been done to death, every angler uses it, then a change of rig styles will usually result in a capture so don't be afraid to experiment when you are fishing. By bringing in the changes and being open to new styles will increase your catch rate and chances of a fish of a life time. Don't be fooled by prices either, sometimes the cheapest of braids work just as well as the top branded types. Just because everyone is using a top named braid doesn't mean it will fish any better than one you can get for a few pennies. Its all down to the rig design and water craft.
