Photos: ESP · supplied retailer imagery
Terminal tackle · Curve shank hooks · Our take
ESP Curve Shank Hooks
Barbed and barbless versions, with sizes from 2 to 10 depending on availability
A sharp, strong and properly versatile curved hook for carp rigs, with the Ronnie Rig very much in its wheelhouse.
- Previously known as the ESP Raptor, the Cryogen Curve Shanx has a curved, quick-turning profile.
- ESP says the Cryogen-tempered hook is around 25% stronger than its predecessor.
- The long, fine point is designed to stay sharp and offer improved durability.
- Available in barbed and barbless versions, with sizes including 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10.
Make sure it’s the right one. The ESP Cryogen Curve Shanx Hook was previously known as the ESP Raptor. This review covers the Cryogen Curve Shanx pattern, not a generic ESP curve-shank hook.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A strong, versatile curved carp hook with very good rig potential and sensible mid-range value.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9.2/10
- Performance9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching9/10
- Ease of Use8.8/10
- Value for Money8.8/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Carp anglers building Ronnie Rigs. The curved, fast-turning shape is designed to help the hook find and hold in the mouth.
- Anglers wanting one versatile carp hook pattern. It covers plenty of presentations, from balanced hookbaits to bottom-bait rigs, with barbed and barbless choices.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers who prefer straight or wide-gape patterns. The Curve Shanx has a deliberately curved profile, so it won’t suit every rig style or personal preference.
- Fishing over very abrasive, snaggy ground without checking points. The fine point is sharp and durable, but any hook point can suffer when dragged through stones, gravel or weed.
The lowdown
Introducing the ESP Curve Shank Hooks
A sharp, strong and properly versatile curved hook for carp rigs, with the Ronnie Rig very much in its wheelhouse.
- Previously known as the ESP Raptor, the Cryogen Curve Shanx has a curved, quick-turning profile.
- ESP says the Cryogen-tempered hook is around 25% stronger than its predecessor.
- The long, fine point is designed to stay sharp and offer improved durability.
- Available in barbed and barbless versions, with sizes including 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10.
Quick verdict
Sharp, strong and nicely versatile
The ESP Cryogen Curve Shanx is a cracking all-round curved hook for modern carp rigs. Its quick-turning shape, fine needle point and tougher wire make it a strong choice when you want reliable mechanics without using a huge, clumsy hook.
It’s especially well suited to Ronnie Rigs and other presentations where the hook needs to turn quickly and catch hold. At £5.09 a packet, it sits in the sensible mid-range: not bargain-basement, but proper tackle rather than a bit of naff terminal kit.
A strong, versatile curved carp hook with very good rig potential and sensible mid-range value.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9.2/10
- Performance
- 9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 9/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.8/10
- Value for Money
- 8.8/10
Increased wire gauge, Cryogen tempering and a durable fine point give it a properly reassuring build.
The curved, quick-turning shape is designed to rotate efficiently and resist ejection.
Sharp point mechanics and a versatile profile can improve hooking when the rig is balanced and presented neatly.
It works across several carp presentations, although the curved profile needs matching to the right rig.
At £5.09 per packet, it offers useful strength and pattern versatility, though packet quantity should be checked.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the ESP Curve Shank Hooks
If you like a hook that turns quickly and gets down to business, the ESP Cryogen Curve Shanx deserves a proper look. This is a curved carp hook with a long, fine point and a shape designed to resist being ejected. In plain English, it’s built to make the most of those little moments when a carp picks up your hookbait, mouths it and tries to get shot of it.
The pattern was previously known as the ESP Raptor, so don’t get confused if you spot that name in older rig advice or tackle boxes. The Cryogen Curve Shanx is the updated version, with increased wire gauge compared with its predecessors. That gives it a bit more backbone when you’re leaning into a lump or steering a fish away from a nasty snag.
ESP also uses Cryogenic tempering on the hook. The brand says this makes the hook stronger and improves wear resistance, with the Cryogen version rated at around 25% stronger than its predecessors. That doesn’t mean you can fish like a cowboy and ignore your rig, mind. A hook still needs checking after contact with weed, gravel, stones or a fish that’s found something solid to rub against.
The profile is where this hook really earns its keep. It has a curved, quick-turning shape that’s intended to resist ejection. That’s handy on rigs where the hook needs to rotate and catch hold as the carp moves off. It’s one of the reasons the pattern makes such obvious sense on a Ronnie Rig, where the hook sits neatly on a spinner-style arrangement and needs to work efficiently.
The long, fine, needle-sharp point is another big tick. A sharp point helps the hook prick quickly, especially when you’re fishing a balanced wafter or a bottom bait where you want the rig to settle naturally. The point is also designed to be more durable, which should mean fewer premature changes when everything is behaving itself on the bank.
There’s a useful size spread here too. Sizes include 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, although the exact choice depends on whether you’re looking at the barbed or barbless range and what the retailer has available. For most day-to-day carp work, sizes 6 and 7 are likely to be the comfortable middle ground, while the smaller sizes suit tidier hookbaits and the bigger options have a place when the bait and venue call for them.
The barbed and barbless versions make the Curve Shanx easier to match to different venues. That matters in the UK, where fishery rules can change from one lake to the next. Always check the local rules before you thread a rig, and don’t assume a barbless ticket means every hook pattern is automatically allowed.
Rig-wise, this is a hook that likes being part of a tidy, purposeful presentation. On a Ronnie Rig, keep the hookbait balanced, make sure the hook can spin freely and use a sharp point straight from the packet. With other rigs, pay attention to how much the curve affects the angle and separation between hookbait and hook. A little adjustment can make a big difference to how cleanly everything sits.
The price shown is £5.09 per packet at Angling Direct. The packet quantity isn’t specified in the available product information, so it’s sensible to check that before comparing it with other patterns. Even so, the overall proposition is straightforward: this is a specialist-feeling curved hook with proper strength upgrades, but enough versatility to earn a place in a normal tackle box rather than only coming out for one particular rig.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Pattern
- ESP Cryogen Curve Shanx Hook
- Previous name
- ESP Raptor
- Versions
- Barbed and barbless
- Sizes
- 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10; availability varies by listing
- Construction
- Increased wire gauge with Cryogen tempering
- Price shown
- £5.09 per packet at Angling Direct
Specs checked with ESP, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
A hook that gets on with the job
The big appeal here is the balance. You get a curved, aggressive pattern designed to resist ejection, but the long fine point keeps the business end neat and sharp. That makes it useful across a fair few carp situations, from Ronnie Rigs over clean spots to bottom-bait or wafters fished with a more conventional presentation.
The increased wire gauge and Cryogen tempering give it extra backbone over the previous pattern, while the available barbed and barbless versions cover most UK fishery rules. Just match the size to the bait, venue and fish in front of you rather than reaching for the biggest hook in the packet.
The pattern
Closer look at what you’re buying
The Cryogen Curve Shanx has a curved, fast-turning profile, increased wire gauge and a long fine point. That combination is aimed at dependable hooking and improved strength, without turning the hook into a chunky great grappling iron.
It’s available barbed or barbless, and in a useful size range from 2 through to 10, depending on the exact version and listing. Check the packet carefully, particularly if you need barbless size 6 or 7 for a specific Ronnie Rig.
Worth knowing. The pattern used to be called the ESP Raptor. If you’re following older rig guides, that’s the same family of hook you’re looking for, while the Cryogen Curve Shanx brings the updated construction.
On the bank
Who it suits
This is a strong option for carp anglers who like Ronnie Rigs, spinner-style presentations and balanced hookbaits. The curved shape is intended to turn quickly, while the sharp point helps the hook find hold when a carp is on the munch.
It also suits anglers who fish different venues and want barbed and barbless choices in the same general pattern. Match the size to the hookbait and fish, keep the point clear of debris, and don’t be tempted to leave a questionable hook on for another bite-time.
Worth knowing. On snaggy or gritty spots, inspect the point after every fish or anything that feels like a scrape. Cryogen tempering improves strength and wear resistance, but no hook point is magic.
Your questions
FAQs in full
Can you use them away from a Ronnie Rig? Yes. They’re designed to suit a range of carp-rig presentations. Just remember that the curved shape changes the way the hook sits, so test the mechanics in the edge before casting to your main spot.
Are they suitable for coarse fishing? They’re primarily a carp hook pattern, but smaller sizes may have a place where rules and target fish make that appropriate. For typical silverfish work, a dedicated coarse hook is usually the less faffy choice.
Do you need to sharpen them? The point is supplied long, fine and needle-sharp, with improved durability in mind. Don’t sharpen a hook automatically. Check it first, and replace it if the point is damaged or no longer properly sticky.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Strong increased-gauge wire with Cryogen tempering
- Quick-turning curved shape suits Ronnie Rigs and other carp presentations
- Long, fine needle-sharp point with improved durability
- Barbed and barbless options, plus a useful range of sizes
- Versatile enough for wafters, bottom baits and other balanced presentations
Worth knowing
- The curved profile won’t be the right choice for every rig or angler
- A fine point still needs protecting from gravel, stones and snags
- Packet quantity isn’t specified in the available product information
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What rigs are ESP Cryogen Curve Shanx Hooks suited to?
What rigs are ESP Cryogen Curve Shanx Hooks suited to?
They’re particularly suited to Ronnie Rigs, but the curved, quick-turning pattern can also work with a range of carp-rig presentations using bottom baits, wafters and other balanced hookbaits.
02Are ESP Cryogen Curve Shanx Hooks barbed or barbless?
Are ESP Cryogen Curve Shanx Hooks barbed or barbless?
Both versions are available. Check the exact packet and fishery rules before buying, as barbed and barbless options are listed separately.
03Which sizes are available?
Which sizes are available?
The range includes sizes 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Not every retailer or version necessarily carries every size; the listed barbless selection includes 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: sharp, strong and nicely versatile. The strongest reasons to choose it are strong increased-gauge wire with cryogen tempering and quick-turning curved shape suits ronnie rigs and other carp presentations; the main trade-off is the curved profile won’t be the right choice for every rig or angler.
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Strong increased-gauge wire with Cryogen tempering”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Carp anglers building Ronnie Rigs: The curved, fast-turning shape is designed to help the hook find and hold in the mouth.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The curved profile won’t be the right choice for every rig or angler”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate ESP Curve Shank Hooks
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Owner reports
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