Single Hooks: Re-sharpen, Replace, Both?

[tcbass]

I've re-sharpened treble hooks on good lures that are permanent, I don't replace hooks on lures unless I need to and I've never needed too. But single hooks like mosquito hooks, wacky rig hooks, and what not are more replaceable hooks. Maybe you re-sharpen them until you've reached a point where you just toss them and replace them eventually.

 

 

Do you re-sharpen single hooks or do you just replace them when they get dull?

[Wildbillb]

Resharpen.  Usually get bit off by a toothy critter before they get to used

[WRB]

Before the needle sharp heat treated black nickle hooks we usually resharpened single hooks using a battery powered hook honer. Today's premium single hooks can be difficult to get a needle point re sharpened. Using a diamond hook hone will touch up the hook point and a good idea to keep a simple hook hone handy.

Jig hooks I put time and effort in sharpening, worm hooks rarely, I just replace them.

Tom

[Raul]

I resharpen jig/spinnerbait/crankbait hooks, dull single hooks go to the trash.

[tcbass]

16 minutes ago, WRB said:

Before the needle sharp heat treated black nickle hooks we usually resharpened single hooks using a battery powered hook honer. Today's premium single hooks can be difficult to get a needle point re sharpened. Using a diamond hook hone will touch up the hook point and a good idea to keep a simple hook hone handy.

Jig hooks I put time and effort in sharpening, worm hooks rarely, I just replace them.

Tom

 

 

Who makes the needle sharp heat treated hooks that are good for wacky rugged Senkos?

[WRB]

15 minutes ago, tcbass said:

 

 

Who makes the needle sharp heat treated hooks that are good for wacky rugged Senkos?

Gamakatsu, Owner and VMC all make them.

Tom

[tcbass]

23 minutes ago, WRB said:

Gamakatsu, Owner and VMC all make them.

Tom

 

 

Thanks. 

[Bluebasser86]

I rarely keep a hook long enough to consider needing to sharpen it. If I think one is dull or damaged, I replace it. 

[scaleface]

I constantly touch up hooks with a couple of light strokes on the diamond file of a Leatherman multi tool .  Its an excellent hook sharpener .  

[Glenn]

I always sharpen my hooks - even brand new, never used before hooks.  I can sharpen dull hooks back to better-than-new.  No need to waste 'em and throw them away.  Only reason I break out a new hook is either when I lose one or it gets bent.

 

Here's how I sharpen them:

 

[.ghoti.]

I sharpen hooks on jigs and spinnerbaits when they need it. Single bare hooks get sharpened once, then discarded. Treble hooks get sharpened a couple of times, as needed, before replacement.

 

Forget the hook file. They rust too quickly. Diamonds do not rust. One good diamond hone, like the $15 Smith's Glenn showed you, will outlast a dozen three dollar hook files.

[Catt]

Spinnerbaits I'll sharpen

 

Jigs & all plastics hooks usually get broke off before needing sharpening.

 

Lures with permanent mounted hooks get cut off & a split ring added. I "think" this increases hook ups & avoids some snags. 

 

All other trebles get replaced, usually from being bent out of shape!

[A-Jay]

Excluding safety Items of course, IMO "the Hook(s)" just may be The Most important aspect of my fishing.

So I'm always checking & sharpening where & when I can.

And when I say "sharpening", it's more like a touch up to regain the sticky point I feel is just a must.   

When a few passes with a quality file or stone ( I use a couple of different ones) doesn't get me what I want - I replace it.  Don't think twice about it. 

Bent trebles get one 'straighten' and any occurrence prompts replacement. 

A-Jay

 

 

[tcbass]

20 hours ago, WRB said:

Before the needle sharp heat treated black nickle hooks we usually resharpened single hooks using a battery powered hook honer. Today's premium single hooks can be difficult to get a needle point re sharpened. Using a diamond hook hone will touch up the hook point and a good idea to keep a simple hook hone handy.

Jig hooks I put time and effort in sharpening, worm hooks rarely, I just replace them.

Tom

 

I see you said black nickel hooks....I checked hooks and they say black chrome....is that the same thing?

[Catt]

@A-Jay add to hooks line!

 

I'm hard on both, due to the heavy cover I fish I'm constantly checking my line, knot, & hook. 

 

I don't care if it's monofilament, fluorocarbon, Copolymer, or braid. Any hint of abrasion it's cut off & retied. Since I'm retiring I'll replace the hook or jig if necessary.

 

I'll sharpen em when I get home ?

 

[Russ E]

I always rub the hook point across my fingernail, before using any hook. If it does not dig in I give it a touchup with this file. if a quick touchup does not sharpen it, I discard it.

 

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

@A-Jay add to hooks line!

 

I'm hard on both, due to the heavy cover I fish I'm constantly checking my line, knot, & hook. 

 

I don't care if it's monofilament, fluorocarbon, Copolymer, or braid. Any hint of abrasion it's cut off & retied. Since I'm retiring I'll replace the hook or jig if necessary.

 

I'll sharpen em when I get home ?

 

You know I can't disagree @Catt  -

But even with fresh line dull hooks can make for tough sledding . . .

Which comes first the chicken or the egg ?

A-Jay

[riverbasser]

I never even owned a hook file until recently. Most all my hooks were snagged and broke off before needing sharpened. That said ever since I switched to using seiberts brush jig I've had some jigs last a long time as they come through cover so well I Bought a file just for them.