Will Leaving Plastic Baits on your Hooks Really Rust Them?

[Deputy Dave]

I've heard several times over the years to remove the heavy salted plastic baits from your expensive worm hooks and the jig trailers off your jigs so the hooks don't rust. I've heard some recommend this as soon as you come off the water, even if your going to fish the same tournament the following day. I've heard others say they only remove them if the season is over and they are putting their equipment up for the year.

I left all the plastics that were on their respective hooks at the end of last season and they are still there now. I got my equipment out the last few days and started putting new line on my reels and getting stuff organized for the upcoming season. Granted all of my fishing equipment is stored inside my house all winter but I have checked several, if not all, of the jigs and worm hooks that I left soft plastic baits on all winter and they look just like they did when I put them away last fall....

Has anyone here actually had a decent brand hook rust or even weaken due to leaving a salt impregnated bait on it for an extended period of time? 

[Revo_Carrot Stix]

I've had my hook-keeper on my rod rust from leaving soft plastics on. I haven't had that happen with Gammy hooks.

[Shane J]

Nope, not me. I have heard that same thing, and left some plastics on a couple jigs on purpose just to see for myself, and nothing. Not even any off coloring on the hooks after a year. It does sound like a plausible theory, though, just not what I've seen personally.

[BassThumb]

Some salted baits are saltier than others, but I don't think I've ever seen a high quality worm, spinnerbait, or jig hook that WON't rust when you leave salt impregnated baits on them for more than a few days.

It's just a spattering of rust on the surface, so I doubt it will significantly weaken the hook. But sometimes the barb will almost rust completely off or the hook point will get rusty and become dull and need a little sharpening. I see a lot of this in my jig box because I don't like removing threaded trailers if I don't have to. Jigs are expendable, so I'm willing to accept a little rust.

For example, a Yamamoto double tail grub that is left on a football jig will result in a rusty hook, but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference just as long as the hook is sharp.

[TrippyJai]

The only hooks that have ever rusted on me are Eagle Claw hooks. I have left baits on my Gamakatsu's for over a year and still no rust.

[BassThumb]

I should clarify, I've only seen it in the summer when it's humid.

You guys have never had a Gammy EWG hook show a few specks of rust from a T rigged Senko? I see that every summer.

[The Rooster]

The only hooks that have ever rusted on me are Eagle Claw hooks. I have left baits on my Gamakatsu's for over a year and still no rust.

Same here.

[The Rooster]

I should clarify, I've only seen it in the summer when it's humid.

You guys have never had a Gammy EWG hook show a few specks of rust from a T rigged Senko? I see that every summer.

No.

[burleytog]

If you use Yamamoto baits, it will happen.  Chew on an actual Senko and you'll see what I mean.

[BassThumb]

If you use Yamamoto baits, it will happen. Chew on an actual Senko and you'll see what I mean.

For sure.  Like I said in the first post, some baits are saltier than others.  Yamamoto's are the saltiest that I've seen.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

When i first started fishing i used a soft plastic storage (basically a bag with ziplocs in it) to hold senkos. Well i got to many senkos and took them out and decided to put my spinnerbaits in the bags. Well after about a month of being in those bags you can imagine what happened. All the spinnerbaits blades got corroded and the hooks rusted . I ended up replacing about 6-7 spinnerbait and needless to say it was a lesson learned to me.

[B A S S E R]

I should clarify, I've only seen it in the summer when it's humid.

You guys have never had a Gammy EWG hook show a few specks of rust from a T rigged Senko? I see that every summer.

I have had a worm on an EWG sitting in the top section of an old tackle box in my garage for probably 2 years now. I just never took it out of there. Its completely rust free.

[MaxumBass]

I use Owner hooks and they will rust if I leave plastics on for an extended length of time...Took them all of this year.

[J Francho]

Salted baits will rust ANY metal hook.

[Bass_Fanatic]

Salted baits will rust ANY metal hook.

Over 100 years...probably...but for a week or so in between trips...I have not seen any effects.

[J Francho]

A week or so is all it takes.  Owner, Daiichi, VMC, Gamakatsu, Mastad, etc.  Yamamotos are notoriously bad, especially with jigs.

[NBR]

I've had it happen in a short time with heavily salted baits. You don't need to chew on a Senko just touch it to your tongue. Probably a reason they work and are so fragile.

[Bass_Fanatic]

All of my hooks are red...maybe the red paint helps??

[Georgia Jeff]

If I leave a salted plastic worm on the hook they will rust in the off season, even with gammys.

[islandbass]

I think J Francho is right, but what might be a bigger factor could be where you live in the country or where your gear is stored. I imagine that the salt probably works on whatever protection was on the hook to prevent (or slow) the formation of rust. Then when that protection is gone, well know what happens with iron and oxygen combine.

It's been mixed for me. For the most part there is no rust at all with gammies or other comparable hooks, but once in a while, rust rears its ugly head on any hook.

[central.PA.bass]

salt definitely will rust your hook!!  i always forget but it is a good idea to remove the bait you are using and wipe off your hook.. 

there have been multiple times when i ruined a perfectly good hook because i left the bait on it for too long..