How To Sharpen Fish Hooks?

[BassAssassin726]

I have a few half and one ounce Rooster Tails that I adore. They flat out catch lots of bass for me. The other day I lost a nice one, must have been 4 pounds and when I looked at the hooks I realized they were dulling. Being as I am unemployed at the moment I was wondering how I can sharpen these treble hooks up some so I dont have to spend the little money I have buying new treble hooks. So, how do you guys sharpen hooks up? Would a metal file work?

[FL_Sharpshooter]

 

[papajoe222]

Changing out hooks on a Rooster Tail is a pain. It's much easier to sharpen them. If you have a hook file, be carefull not to take off too much stock as they tend to do. Just a couple of light swipes on both sides should do it. If you're using a stone, you may need to hit each side a few times. Either way, be sure to check the sharpness until you're satisfied. If you have a stone or file with a grove in it, give the backside a quick swipe too. BTW, you'll be filing off the corrosion protection, so keep a close eye on the hooks in the future as they'll rust in the area you've filed.

[BassAssassin726]

Like I said Im broke so buying hooks isnt an option right now. I only buy hooks for plastic worms. And yea, changing a hook on a Rooster Tail is a PAIN! Its not a split ring, its like a wire bent all around. It annoying, easier to just sharpen them. An I do buy good hooks, I usually only buy Trokar lately, they really are the best in my opinion but i cant afford to buy them whenever a hook dulls because 1, im broke and 2, Trokars are kind of expensive.

[Dwight Hottle]

Get a hook sparpner like this http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Rapala-Double-Sided-Hook-Sharpener&i=410385&r=view&aID=504T1C&cvsfa=2586&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=343130333835&s_kwcid=goobasecontent_goobasecontent_filler&cID=GSHOP_410385

Hold the treble with the points facing away from you & shapren by pushing the file from the barb area towards the point of the hook.

[buzzfrog]

Had a local pro say, push a hook into a piece of 2x4 I think he was just Pulling my leg

[Marty]

Changing out hooks on a Rooster Tail is a pain.

What's wrong with cutting off the hook, adding a split ring, then a new hook? I've done this with Mepps, should be the same as with the Rooster Tail.

[K_Mac]

The file Dwight mentions or a similar stone will do fine. I have been sharpening hooks for a long time. Touching up a good hook makes a lot more sense than replacing it IMO. I know the common wisdom these days is replace them, and if the hook is badly damaged I do, but if a little sharpening is all that is needed I will spend my cash on something else.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't ever sharpen a hook, I replace them. As far as a roostertail goes, dull hooks are not a problem, the problem is they get bent out of shape. For that reason alone I don't buy them any more, I buy a mepps or panther, they last much longer, for me cheaper in the long run. If possible I opt for a single hook rather than a treble.

[Goose52]

The file Dwight mentions or a similar stone will do fine. I have been sharpening hooks for a long time. Touching up a good hook makes a lot more sense than replacing it IMO. I know the common wisdom these days is replace them, and if the hook is badly damaged I do, but if a little sharpening is all that is needed I will spend my cash on something else.

Yeah - me too. Not a popular concept nowadays but it makes sense.

I wonder if some folks throw away buzzbaits and spinnerbaits when the hook gets dull?

[OkobojiEagle]

EZE-lap model S... keep it in your pocket, you'll use it more often.

Sharpen the hooks you are a using every few fish you catch or after each snag you free. Dwight's technique is effective.

oe

[NBR]

Guys,

He says he is broke. I relate to that.

Almost any file will sharpen a hook but the smaller the easier it is to use. I go from barb end to the point until sharp. I pich down the barbs so the hook penetrates a tiny bit easier.

[Hyrule Bass]

Guys,

He says he is broke. I relate to that.

Almost any file will sharpen a hook but the smaller the easier it is to use. I go from barb end to the point until sharp. I pich down the barbs so the hook penetrates a tiny bit easier.

broke people shouldnt be buying Trokars either. if he bought some gamakatsu's once, then he could buy the treble hooks he needs too. im not broke but i still refuse to buy a Trokar simply on principle. ive proven to myself i dont need a trokar to set the hook in a fish...

[K_Mac]

broke people shouldnt be buying Trokars either. if he bought some gamakatsu's once, then he could buy the treble hooks he needs too. im not broke but i still refuse to buy a Trokar simply on principle. ive proven to myself i dont need a trokar to set the hook in a fish...

While I agree that Trokar hooks cost more than I'm comfortable spending, we all make value decisions about the tackle we use. For instance, I would never buy an Ugly Stik at one end, or a GLoomis NRX on the other, based on my perceived value of those rods and my disposable income. While he mentions that money is an issue, BA726 did not ask for advice on how to spend his money. He simply asked for advice on how to sharpen a hook.

[jeffo21]

thanks K-Mac good point you make

[Michael DiNardo]

K-Mac, that was strong good post.

I realize that you don't want to buy them, but keep an eye open at DSG, they have trebles on clearance all the time for under $1 for five or six trebles.

Mike

[tipptruck1]

The only hooks I sharpen are muskie hooks. The hooks alone cost as munch as the lures. Since most lures have factory hooks that suck. I just replace them any way. I tend to buy quality replacement hooks. I have baits with quality hooks. That have caught plenty of fish, and being snagged. I have never noticed a lost of fish because of it.

A set of 10 gamakatsu treble hooks. Cost me about 10 bucks. I have seen online bulk for 5 bucks per pack. Do not believe me check this site out. http://lurepartsonline.com/Online-Store/Gamakatsu-Treble-Hooks/Gami-474-Round-Bend-Trebles.html If you can not afford 5 bucks for a pack of hooks. You might be in the wrong hobby. Plus it is a good idea to have some spare hooks with you any way.

[SirSnookalot]

The best stock hook I have found are the ones that come on Mirrorlures, IMO they are the strongest, and I do use some of them for bass fishing. When I do replace a treble it's a 3x or 4x even for my freshwater lures, as infrequently as I do it, seems to make more sense to me replace rather than sharpen.

[CWB]

The file Dwight mentions or a similar stone will do fine. I have been sharpening hooks for a long time. Touching up a good hook makes a lot more sense than replacing it IMO. I know the common wisdom these days is replace them, and if the hook is badly damaged I do, but if a little sharpening is all that is needed I will spend my cash on something else.

Sooner or later all hooks will get dull, whether from hitting underwater stuff or whatever. I use a diemakers flat India stone. and touch up the points until they stick in my thumbnail with little effort. I sharpen the hook in a triangular pattern and run the stone at 90 degrees to the hook. A file takes off too much material IMO and running the stone or file down towards the point will only push a burr down to the point. Learned through many years of machine shop experience. Sharpening hooks has been brought up before and is an individual choice. I do it as I know my hooks are sharp and also it gives me something to do when bored.