Sharpening hooks

[billmac]

Do people still sharpen their hooks? When I became obsessed with following tournament pros years ago, it was a big thing, and I always sharpened my hooks. But I don't see much about it any more.

[Catt]

Where possible I simply replace em!

 

I may touch up a spinnerbait or buzzbait hook.

[billmac]

Catt:  I used to sharpen them right out of the box.  We did the thumbnail test.  If a hook didn't easily dig into your nail, it needed sharpening.

[roadwarrior]

No, never.  I only buy lures, including jigs and spinnerbaits, built with high quality hooks. 

If they are not perfect they are returned for replacement. My jigs have a very short life

expectancy, so this does not really come into play. With hard baits hook replacement is

my choice.

 

 

 

[Jig Man]

I only sharpen my hooks on A rigs because the are always getting hung up.

[Mobasser]

This is an area that's seen huge improvement over the years. I'll usually just replace them. 

[scaleface]

I sharpen hooks all the time .My Leatherman is equipped with a diamond file   . Just few light strokes point toward barb and when it can dig in my thumb nail , it is finished . 

[Log Catcher]

I sharpen hooks on spinner baits and buzz baits some. Sometimes I will sharpen treble hooks while out on the boat but will replace them later. These people that talk about how quick they can change out treble hooks while fishing have a whole lot better system for doing it than I do.

[Largies4Life]

I will only ever consider sharpening my hooks if I get caught up on rocks. This definitely isn't as popular in bass fishing anymore, but I'm big into musky fishing as well and I never leave my house without a hook sharpener!

[J._Bricker]

All the time @billmac! IMHO, it saves both time and money. 

[nascar2428]

I always keep a hook sharpener in my bag, just finished sharpening all of my spinnerbait and swim jigs and chatterbaits.

[Bankbeater]

I just finished up sharpening the hooks on my jigs, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and shallow running crankbaits.  For me, it's very relaxing.

[Oregon Native]

Always...file is on the deck.

[thinkingredneck]

I like Tru turn hooks for worms, and they have to be sharpened.  For this reason, I use Gamakatsu most of the time now.

[Steveo-1969]

Yup, I also sharpen hooks all the time. I fish a very rocky very snaggy river and if I didn't have a hook sharpener I would go broke changing hooks or jig heads all the time!

[Russ E]

I am in the always camp.

whenever I tie on a bait I check the hooks and touch them up as needed. 

 

[Darren.]

I've found that using Gamakatsu hooks, I really never have to 

sharpen them. Which I like.

 

But for other hooks in my "arsenal" that I have bought here and

there, I may have to sharpen, which is no big deal. But I don't 

like sharpening constantly as it isn't part of my M.O. and I may

forget to do so and regret it  

[A-Jay]

Single hook baits & hooks used while rigging  ~ Yes.

The excepting being I guess drop shot hooks - I just replace those.

 Treble hooks get replaced - often.

A-Jay

[CrankFate]

I never sharpen hooks. And I never bend them back if they deform. I replace them with new high quality hooks. I am a bit obsessive with hook sharpness. I personally believe you can set the hook on any fish with any rod as long as your hook is sharp enough.

[billmac]

I should add that while I did sharpen hooks on lures I've already used, I was mainly talking about sharpening new hooks.  I recall very few hooks on lures right out of the package that passed the thumbnail test.  I haven't bought lures in a while, so perhaps that's changed.

[WRB]

Back in the day we used a hook hone R battery powered hook sharpener because the hooks needed resharpening often. 

Gamamkatsu worm and treble hooks changed that back in the early 90's, sticky sharp out of the box and Owner followed. By 2000 Mustad came out with needle sharp hooks to regain lost business. Today we lots of good sharp hooks to choose from.

I keep a hard Arkansas stone and diamond hook sharpener for today's very hard metals to touch up jig or spinnerbait hook points that get flattened or dulled and replace worm or treble hooks.

Tom

[Catt]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

By 2000 Mustad came out with needle sharp hooks to regain lost business

 

Lonnie Stanley made a deal with Mustard to create first needle point round bend hook which Lonnie used in his jigs, spinnerbaits, & even a worm hooks.

[papajoe222]

I sharpen almost all single hook baits with regularity, some right out of the box. With trebles, anything smaller than a #2 gets replaced, again, some right out of the box. On occasion, I'll do it while on the water, but with treble hook lures I normally just switch out to a similar bait.

[Big Swimbait]

I replace also unless I'm lucky enough to be in an active wolf pack. Then I'll quickly hit them with a file so I can get back out. I hate changing trebles. I"ve got the Texas Tackle pliers in both sizes but I guess I need more practice lol. Is there any reason why you cant use a high quality snap instead of split rings?