How to hook a roe bag?

[AaronKrick]

This is probably a stupid question, but how do you put a roe bag on a hook, and what size of hook do you use. I have been using a #14 raven sedge hook so that i can out the bag on without puncturing an egg. Should i be taking something more like a size 12 wide gap and put it right through the middle, or am i doing it right by putting a little hook in the side?

 

[instapump416]

I use a sz 10-12 hook and hook it below the string you use to tie.
This way if I snag the bottom, the sack doesnt open up and lose all my eggs.

I dont usually puncture the eggs when hooking.

 

[redneckchromer]

use raven octo's, i find the sedges and specialists bend easy. i use 6's and 8s depending on the water color. hook it through the side and try not to puncture any eggs

 

[AaronKrick]

Isnt a size 6 hook pretty big?

 

[redneckchromer]

not at all, i used to think it was but i recently started using them for bigger roe bags and havent noticed my catch numbers going down, landing ratios are up though.

 

[coldfeet]

Not as big as their mouths...personally I think you have a better chance with a bigger hook check out spey and streamer hooks

 

[AaronKrick]

personally I think you have a better chance with a bigger hook check out spey and streamer hooks

True. Im gonna try pumps advise of putting it through the top. I'll use 12 wide gaps or octis in clear water and 10s in chocolate milk

 

[W_boughner]

Not as big as their mouths...personally I think you have a better chance with a bigger hook check out spey and streamer hooks
spey and streamer hooks are hidden in the fly

I use 10-16 pending in the size of my roe bags and clarity

 

[goodentight]

You need a microscope to see the hooks I use. I change up where I hook the bag depends how my day is going haha

 

[416fish]

I just use those raven hooks that are painted red. Not sure the size, but definitely not as small as most people use. Bigger hook = better hook set in most cases. Which will help you keep a fish on once he's hooked.

For most applications of steelheading, I hook it in the mesh but not near the knot of the bag and not through any eggs. I find that if you hook it under or through the mesh knot, it will be harder to rip the bag off once you need to switch to a new one. Hooking it under 2 or 3 strands of the mesh is usually fine for me, it never falls off even in the fast flowing GB tribs


Oh yeah, as for the raven hooks, I have both the type you are asking about and it doesn't really matter in my experience. That fish is gonna pound that roe bag if it's hungry and it's up to you to set the hook. However, I definitely don't use size 14. More like size 10 or 12 most likely. I actually carry various hook sizes and types but these raven hooks have been good to me this season

 

[Porkpie]

Size 10 to 14. 10's if I'm using massive salmon bombers, 14's if I'm throwing brown roe. With teeny bags I hide my hook as best I can.

 

[CanadianAngler87]

Size 8 raven octo, I put that s*it on everything. Through the top of the bag

 

[Dewy]

I tend to use smaller hooks 10 to 14 with roe. Sometimes I will crush an egg or 2 to get the bag a little smaller. I use larger hooks 6 to 8 when fishing pink worm or beads.

 

[azppp]

surprised 8 is not popular...my go to...but will downsize to 14. But really depends on the bait and clarity - a size 8 owner mosquito may still seem smaller than a size 10 xpoint, in my eyes anyway.

 

[chinhook]

Size 4/6 raven for me. Used to run small hooks like 10/12 but I found I was loosing a tonne more fish. Then again, I tend to stay away from crystal clear water/small creeks.

 

[Christopheraaron]

Size 8 raven octo, I put that s*it on everything. Through the top of the bag

^THIS^

 

[Brian]

I used to use size 10's and 12's...but now I use 8's and few times 10's for roe...If I'm fishing beads I will use 8's and 6's...

 

[fishfearme]

I use 6's or 8's. It would seem I hook mine opposite to everyone else, as I run the hook through the bottom, just enough of the mesh for it to stay on the hook. I started doing this the same time I started tying bags with red thread. If I hook it through the bottom the red thread is the first thing the fish see's and it contrasts against the color of the bag and looks like a blood dot.

 

[coldfeet]

agreed and good point, was referring more to the size

 

[coldfeet]

hmmm was trying to quote response #8 for some reason didn't work