Hair position

[ICAP]

Been fiddling with my rigs lately, and was thinking about the best place for the hair to come off the hook, i am talking about using mono hooklink with 2lb mono hair on a size 11 ESP long shank.
My "standard" is to have it coming from the shank just as the bend starts, i have seen rigs with the hair coming from the bottom of the bend and ones with the hair coming from higher up the shank.
What are your views on this? what would you say is the most efficient set up?
What sparked my curiosity is the Steve renyard "Basic complicated rig"

[Blue]

Hi mate. My advice would be keep as simple as possible. Try a rig on 1 rod with no silicone on the shank of the hook, so the hair comes straight from the knotless knot, then try a rod with a bit of silicone down the shank of the hook, so the hair comes just off the bottom of the bend or where ever you place the silicone.

My preference is to use a bit of silicone. Not sure Id go down to a 2lb hair though. Why not just continue the tail of the knotless knot?

[TheDoctor46]

The only time i use a hair that is different from my main rig is when im fishing with flurocarbon i use kryston "super silk" and whip it on using the fluro.

[ICAP]

I think the fine hair gives the bait a bit more "natural" movement.
probably doesnt make much difference but its what im confident with.

[tim childs]

personally speaking when using mono it has to be 10lb berkley XT nothing else comes close for mono links as this stuff is indestructible. use the hair as a continuation of the link i do 10- 12 turns up with no silicone on the shank but a little on the eye to hold everything nice in place. Also do slightly longer hairs as this is normally for botom baits.

[ICAP]

I ve been using 10lb drennan double strength for the past 6 months, not had any problems, i generally use either drennan double strength or Synergy.

[Pilky]

I'd be careful using those hooklinks with a knotless knot fella... it will weaken it significantly with down turned or straight eyed hooks..
XT is a very 'understated' line and as tim says is more indestructable..

you might be fine in open water... but I'd be aware of its weaknesses before the inevitable happens !

[ICAP]

Is this a common occurance with Drennan double strength?
Has anyone else had problems with it?

[Blue]

It's a pre stretched mono which means it has very little shock absorbency. I personally wouldn't use it for a bottom bait hooklink. The only time I use it is for zig rigs and floater fishing when in open water when the general style of fishing is more delicate etc. As tim say's, there's much better out there like the XT, IQ, Ghost etc.. (IMO)

[tim childs]

great line for open water floater fishing and zigs in 10lb but for anything else ur asking for trouble. be very careful with knots. replace after every fish you catch. ANY SLIGHT WEED OR SNAGS AND YOU'LL LOOSE FISH! Get on xy in 10lb it will catch everywher you go. my good freind martin allerton uses this all the time and has pulled 30lb fish out of massive weedbeds on the stuff.

[ICAP]

Suffix synergy is quite tough, i went off it when i started using the Double strength, i think i might get back on the synergy.
Thanks for the info lads, don't want to lose two tone at the net this weekend and look back thinking.. mmmm should have changed the hooklink material!

[davidg]

If you are looking for a finer mono then try Drennen Sub surface green. I've used this for yrs both for trout and carp. If it will put up with a 5lb rainbow snatching at your fly then a carp pick up is a peice of p**s. Fly boys will know what I mean

i tend to favour a long hair for a boilie as it enables the hook to drop lower in the mouth of the fish ...........

[Callum91]

use a swivel on the hook using a D instead of a peice of silicone tube so the swivel makes the point of the hook heavier using a baiting neadle and a peice of line to attatch the bait to the ring on the swivel if you fancy using it and dont understand what i mean PM me and ill attempt to draw you a pic.

[skilledhandz]

I tie the hair on the the highest part of the bend, bait goes in followed by the hook as the fish blows out it turns easier.