Richard Barrett
Senior Member
Hook links and barbel.
Been reading some recent barbel articles where the writers all seem to be following the carp anglers trend for braided hook links.
I believe that a good soft nylon ( extra limp ) is a good as anything. I say that as a fisherman who thinks regardless of what you use, the fish can, and do feel it. I don't think a soft link like braid makes any difference. I CANNOT prove it, but again believe the baiting situation is far more important than anything else.
Get the fish feeding without fear, or competing between themselves for me is the key. They must pick up all sorts on a flowing river, and eject them all the time. Bits of weed roots clay, silt stones all going down the big gob. Sometimes I think we get all caught up in "RIGS" when stealth and strategic baiting is much more important.
Myself I use 8lb supplex and 10lb Berkley XL. Both are clear, supple, and seem to NOT put fish off. Both also seem very tough, needed on the Trent.
So I'm asking, do you use braid, and if so, do you know why?
Been reading some recent barbel articles where the writers all seem to be following the carp anglers trend for braided hook links.
I believe that a good soft nylon ( extra limp ) is a good as anything. I say that as a fisherman who thinks regardless of what you use, the fish can, and do feel it. I don't think a soft link like braid makes any difference. I CANNOT prove it, but again believe the baiting situation is far more important than anything else.
Get the fish feeding without fear, or competing between themselves for me is the key. They must pick up all sorts on a flowing river, and eject them all the time. Bits of weed roots clay, silt stones all going down the big gob. Sometimes I think we get all caught up in "RIGS" when stealth and strategic baiting is much more important.
Myself I use 8lb supplex and 10lb Berkley XL. Both are clear, supple, and seem to NOT put fish off. Both also seem very tough, needed on the Trent.
So I'm asking, do you use braid, and if so, do you know why?