Gardner Tackle

Hook Sharpening — Dan Chart

“Lots of anglers are beginning to realise the advantages of a sharp hook. A sharp hook is ten times better than a blunt hook because you’ve got a far greater chance of the point penetrating a Carp’s mouth first time, rather than two or three times later with a lesser hook point. The sharper, the better!

There are various hook-sharpening devices on the market, but one of the main advantages of the Hook Stone is its flat, wide surface. This helps prevent you from running off the edge, which can often burr the hook point.

The Hook Stones weren’t fundamentally made for hook sharpening. They were originally manufactured for sharpening some of the finest knives in the world. A lot of thought has gone into how these Stones were created, so when it comes to using them on hooks, there isn’t, in my opinion, a better hook-sharpening tool.”

— Dan Chart

Our NEW Flexi-Ring Fused PVA Bag Stems have been designed and tested to deliver a fast and easy way of using Solid Bags every time. They feature a neat and strong Fluorocarbon loop at the top of the stem for quick and easy connection to your leader or main line via Loop-to-Loop.

Six stems per pack and available now from all good Gardner Tackle stockists!

Craig Smithson with a stunning 33lb 4oz common from Frimley Pit 4.

Craig, used 15lb Hydro Tuff main line and a Ronnie Rig tied with an Ultra Sink boom section and a size 4 Covert Dark Mugga hook.

Gardner Tackle Benelux team member Yves Deuvaert with two lovely mirrors from his recent exploits.

Yves, used 15lb GT-HD main line, Ultra Sink hook links and size 4 Specialist Sharpened Covert Dark Mugga hooks.

Slip D Ronnie’s – Dan Chart

“I love the mechanics of the Ronnie Rig. I’ve been using it for many years and when you’re after something that might give you a slight edge, this is something that I have turned to of late and that is to change from using a conventional bait swivel on the shank of the hook to a Slip D style of arrangement. Tie a Ronnie up this way and have a look at the anti-eject properties of a Slip D on a Ronnie in comparison to a conventional Ronnie. You will notice the movement of the hook bait is far greater and that has to be a huge advantage when fishing pressured lakes for big Carp.”

Here’s how to tie The Slip D Ronnie:

Step 1 - Take 7 inches of 25lb Trickster Heavy.

Step 2 - Form a loop and thread on a Mini Covert Bait Screw.

Step 3 - Place the loop over the point of the hook, so the end of the loop sits on the shank of the hook three quarters of the way up the shank of the hook.

Step 4 - Put the tags through the back of the eye of the hook, leaving one piece longer than the other in order to create a four turn knotless knot.

Step 5 - With the knotless knot completed, thread the tail through the opposite way to that of the other tail in the eye of the hook.

Step 6 - Tie two overhand knots that stops any movement of the knotless knot. Whilst ensuring the bait screw is siting at the exact ¾ mark off the shank of the hook when pulled tight.

Step 7 - Trim off both tag ends.

Step 8 - Thread of a piece of large shrink tub over the eye of the hook.

Step 9 - Attach a Covert QC Hook Swivel.

Step 10 - Thread the tubing over the crook of the QC Swivel and this needs to be steamed rather than burnt with a lighter.

Summer Update – Alan Stagg

“My first trip back to Frimley Pit 3 since early April started well, as I quickly found several fish at one end of the lake, away from the pressure. I decided to fish just one rod — a real favourite tactic of mine in this situation — keeping disturbance and line pressure to an absolute minimum.

It took just 90 minutes for the tip to whip round and, after steering the fish away from a set of pads, I had a lovely 30lb+ common safely resting in the net.
The action continued consistently over the next two days, with another five fish landed, including one of the lake’s big commons, known as Gregory, which was easily 45lb+. Having caught her a couple of winters ago, I followed the fishery rules and slipped her back without weighing or photographing her.

My next trip followed a similar pattern, with the fish quickly located at the opposite end of the lake. Three solid bags were cast towards areas of activity, with a good spread of Sticky Krill over each rig. One of the rods was away the following morning, resulting in a low-twenty common.

I reset the traps later that day, hopeful of another bite as the fish were clearly still in the area. The following morning, I received a fast take on one of the open rods and, after a great fight, netted one of the lake’s incredible-looking mirrors.

For both sessions I used my usual rig setup — Slip D’s tied with size 4 Mugga’s, presented in solid bags.”

My Approach to Thames Carping - Original River Ju**ie

“Simple, strong and reliable — that’s all I look for in my end tackle.

The first hook I cast into the river 25 years ago was an original Talon Tip, and to this day I use the Covert Dark Wide Gape version of the Talon Tips for around 90% of my Thames fishing. The beaked point stays incredibly sharp over the rocky Thames gravel, even with roach and minnows playing football with your hook baits 24/7!

If bream and small fish are causing problems, my general rule is to use a Stiff Rig to help prevent tangles. For hook links, I like 30lb Mirage Fluorocarbon, especially when the water is clear during the summer. If it’s seriously snaggy, I’ll switch to Stiff Ultra Skin for that extra bit of abrasion resistance.

My main line is always Hydro Tuff — or, as us regular Thames lads call it, “Thames tow rope”! I’ve literally pulled bodies off the bottom of the river with this stuff… but that’s a story for another day!

The day before I’m due to fish, I’ll put a wet sock or sweatband over my reel spools to pre-soak the mainline. That way, when I arrive at the river, the line is nice and heavy and sinks through the w**d faster and deeper, helping to keep it out of the way of passing boats. If needed, I’ll add a Captive Back Lead to really pin everything down and keep the line away from those boat propellers.

My tactics have had to evolve with an ever-changing river. Crayfish seem to be spreading and multiplying every year, while working out where the otters have been — and how that might have affected the carp’s location — is another piece of the puzzle.

Then there’s the challenge of competing with one of the most abundant natural food larders I’ve ever seen.

Every day on the Thames brings a new challenge, and as an angler, it certainly keeps the brain ticking. No two seasons are the same, and every section can fish massively differently. What works on one stretch might not be the answer on the next.

And that’s exactly why I’m still out there, year in, year out.

It just never gets boring.

The chase, the uncertainty and the adventure around every bend keep that fire lit.

Hopefully, I’ve got another 25 years in me…”

Another successful work night for Wesley Coggeshall!

Wes, used our 18lb GT-HD main line and a D-Rig tied using a 30lb Invisi Link boom section and a size 5 Rigga BCR hook.

Fluorocarbon Main Lines and W**d – Dan Chart

“If I was fishing at range, I’d be dubious about using fluorocarbon. It doesn’t cast as well as mono and, because it sinks so well, it can become a hindrance when you’re trying to get fish out of w**d.

On the venue I’m fishing today, the opportunities have been no more than ten wraps out, so for me, 20lb Tiger Line is perfect. It’s got the strength that I’m going to need to extract fish from thick w**d, but also the main line is not going through multiple w**d beds, so I’m able to present right up to my hook bait with the line pinned down.

If the situation changes and I need to fish at range, I’ll switch over to a mono. I’ve always been fussy about line lay, and when I can get the line down in heavily w**dy waters without it causing me a problem, 20lb Tiger Line is my choice.

It’s a good, strong, sinking fluorocarbon.”

Enhance your hook points with our Point Doctors!

Extremely easy to use and are an ideal tool for those looking to venture into the realms of hook sharpening.

A true edge!